The Guardian - Decline in Women's Representation in Top Executive Positions in 2025

Rose Odette
Aug 26
2 min read

Why the World Still Holds Back Its Lionesses - Decline in Women's Representation in Top Executive

Introduction: The Guardian just reported that for the first time in eight years, women’s representation in top executive roles in FTSE 350 companies has declined. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a wake-up call. We lionesses know the climb to the top is steep, but the latest drop proves the jungle is still designed for kings, not queens. The question is: what do we do about Decline in Women's Representation in Top Executive?

5 Ideals of Lioness Leadership

Break the Glass Ceiling with Claws – Don’t just tap at barriers; shred them with courage.
Visibility Over Silence – Step into the spotlight; leadership is never handed in the shadows.
Collective Roar – When one lioness roars, the pride grows stronger. Support other women.
Relentless Resilience – The jungle tests us daily—leaders rise when they outlast.
Rewrite the Rules – If the old playbook excludes you, create a new one. (As I share in Lead Like a Lioness, transformational vision only works when paired with relentless results.)

5 Action Items to Lead Like a Lioness Today

Name the Bias – Call out the systemic barriers—silence keeps them alive.
Build a Pride – Surround yourself with allies who amplify your leadership.
Claim the Stage – Speak up in meetings, panels, and the press—become unignorable.
Mentor Fiercely – Pull other lionesses up as you climb; the power is in the pack.
Measure Impact, Not Tradition – Shift focus from “who’s always led” to “who delivers results.”

Conclusion: The Guardian headline might tell us women are still being held back. But here’s the truth: no one can hold back a lioness who has found her roar. The jungle may be rigged, but the pride is rising—and when lionesses lead, the entire ecosystem thrives.

📚 Want to go deeper? Read more in my books: