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Why Rose Odette Says Lioness Leadership Is the Only Answer to America’s Widening Gender Pay Gap

Median earnings for full-time workers
Median earnings for full-time workers

According to Axios, women in business today earn just 81% of what men do — and the gap is actually getting wider. This is more than a wage problem; it’s a leadership crisis. As Rose Odette, author of Lead Like a Lioness, I believe this moment is proof that traditional leadership models are broken. Until organizations embrace lioness leadership — transformational vision combined with relentless execution — they will keep bleeding talent, profit, and credibility.


Ten Ideals of Lioness Leadership on America’s Widening Gender Pay Gap

  1. Fair Pay as a Core Value — Compensation must reflect contribution, not bias.

  2. Representation Powers Results — Leadership teams that include women consistently outperform those that don’t - so why, America’s Widening Gender Pay Gap?

  3. Cultural Courage — A lioness leader builds a culture where transparency, not silence, drives decisions.

  4. Accountability Over Optics — Policies without enforcement are empty. Real leaders measure and act.

  5. Mentorship as Multiplication — Leadership pipelines grow when women mentor women and men champion fairness.

  6. Relentless Vision — Closing the gender pay gap requires persistence even when it’s unpopular or uncomfortable.

  7. Profit Through Integrity — Fair pay strengthens loyalty, innovation, and ultimately the bottom line.

  8. Visibility of Success — Women leaders must be celebrated publicly to inspire others.

  9. Courage to Confront Bias — Leaders must call out systemic issues rather than sidestep them.

  10. Legacy Thinking — Lioness leadership ensures that today’s progress becomes tomorrow’s norm.


 Ten Action Steps Leaders Can Take Now

  1. Conduct a Pay Audit — Benchmark salaries and correct disparities quickly.

  2. Institute Transparent Salary Bands — Make pay ranges and promotion paths clear.

  3. Tie Compensation to Leadership KPIs — Hold managers accountable for building balanced teams.

  4. Appoint a Leadership Integrity Officer — Put responsibility for fair practices at the executive table.

  5. Sponsor High-Potential Women — Move beyond mentorship to active sponsorship in revenue-driving roles.

  6. Audit Promotions and Projects — Ensure women are tapped for stretch assignments, not sidelined.

  7. Board-Level Reporting — Require regular updates on pay and leadership balance.

  8. Normalize Cross-Gender Mentorship — Break down barriers with intentional partnership.

  9. Invest in Women’s Leadership Training — Fund programs that help women lead with lioness clarity and courage.

  10. Communicate Boldly — Leaders must state publicly that fair pay is non-negotiable, then model it relentlessly.


Conclusion

The gender pay gap isn’t just a statistic — it’s a flashing red light that outdated leadership systems are failing. Lead Like a Lioness offers a blueprint for how women in leadership — and companies that support them — can transform culture, profits, and legacy. As Rose Odette, I’m telling you this: the gap will not close with wishful thinking. It will close when lioness leaders step forward with vision and relentless execution.

👉 Read more here: Lead Like a Lioness on Amazon


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