Breaking Myths, Building Systems: Women in Leadership

At the Women in Leadership Conference hosted by NPD, Synthosys co-founders Dr Vanessa Pozzali and Dr Tarek Jomaa delivered a powerful joint presentation on the realities of advancing women in leadership.

Vanessa challenged the widespread myth of the “Queen Bee effect”, showing that what looks like rivalry between women is often the result of systemic pressures that force competition rather than collaboration. She called for leaders to address the unconscious and cultural forces that reinforce these dynamics.

Tarek connected this to the principles of high-performance teams, arguing that when organisations design systems for clarity, collaboration, and trust, women and men alike can thrive without being set against each other.

Together, their message was clear: inclusive leadership is not about fixing women — it’s about fixing the system.

Takeaway: Real progress for women in leadership happens when organisations stop focusing on individuals and start redesigning the culture and structures around them.