Written by Sabrina Klaubert, Women’s Coach & Mentor
Sabrina Patricia Klaubert, founder of She Rising, is building sustainable female leadership pipelines, equipping organizations with future-ready female talent.
Today, leadership is still largely defined by traditionally male traits: decisive, bold, and unyielding. Women navigating this framework often face two responses: adapting to fit these molds or avoiding leadership altogether. Both approaches disconnect women from authenticity and belonging, limiting their potential and reinforcing structural biases in the workplace.
This disconnect points to a deeper issue: leadership has been narrowly defined, excluding diverse leadership styles and making it feel unattainable or unwelcoming for many women. To shift this narrative, we must redefine leadership itself, starting with its foundation: self-leadership.
What holds women back from embracing leadership?
Traditional leadership ideals often create barriers for women. While qualities like boldness and decisiveness are valuable, they reflect a male-centric view that fosters doubt and insecurity in women who feel they don't align with these expectations. This is further exacerbated by systemic challenges:
Internalized expectations: Women are often conditioned to prioritize perfection over progress, discouraging risk-taking and eroding self-trust.
Imposter syndrome: Though not exclusive to women, the persistent feeling of "not being enough" is reinforced by systemic biases and stereotypes.
The likability vs. competence dilemma: Women frequently face a false choice between being liked and being respected a deeply rooted structural inequity.
Rigid leadership archetypes: The "think leader, think male" mindset leaves little room for authentic, diverse leadership styles.
These systemic barriers do more than discourage women they erode self-trust and create a culture where leadership feels out of reach. Addressing these challenges begins with reclaiming the narrative of leadership.
Redefining leadership: The role of self-leadership
To redefine leadership, we must start by leading ourselves. Self-leadership lays the groundwork for impactful, sustainable leadership by aligning personal values, strengths, and goals with action.
What is self-leadership?
"Self-leadership is having a developed sense of who you are, what you can do, and where you are going, coupled with the ability to influence your communication, emotions, and behavior on the way to getting there." (Bryant & Kazan, 2012)
Self-leadership involves three essential components:
Self-awareness: Recognizing your strengths, values, and areas for growth.
Emotional intelligence: Navigating and regulating emotions with maturity and understanding.
Energy management: Balancing personal and professional demands to maintain focus, resilience, and well-being.
Creating your leadership identity
Redefining leadership requires developing a leadership identity that is authentic and aligned with your values. Here’s how to start:
1. Reframe your inner narrative
Examine the beliefs you’ve internalized about leadership. Ask yourself:
What stories have I been telling myself about leadership and who I need to be as a leader?
Are these beliefs serving me, or do they need to evolve?
What qualities do I value in a leader, and how can I embody these in my own way?
This step is about rejecting outdated leadership molds and embracing a vision of leadership that feels empowering and authentic.
2. Build emotional resilience
Emotional resilience is the ability to navigate and process your full spectrum of emotions without fear. Women often hear that they are "too emotional" or "too soft." Instead of suppressing these emotions, embrace them as part of your leadership toolkit:
Educate yourself on the nuances of emotions beyond "happy," "sad," or "angry."
Use mindfulness practices to build awareness and emotional regulation.
Explore somatic techniques to process emotions effectively and support your nervous system.
Emotional resilience empowers leaders to navigate challenges effectively and lead with authenticity, making it a cornerstone skill for the future of leadership.
3. Step into leadership with intention
Leadership is not about waiting for the right opportunity it’s about intentionally shaping your path. Start by:
Advocating for opportunities that challenge and inspire you.
Taking responsibility for your growth, from setting boundaries to celebrating your successes.
Shifting from passivity to intentionality: Move from a reactive role in life to actively leading yourself toward your goals.
Stepping into leadership requires consistent action, not perfection. It’s about aligning your choices with your vision and values.
A new era of leadership
What becomes possible when women embrace leadership on their own terms? We create workplaces where diverse leadership styles thrive, build teams rooted in trust and collaboration, and foster environments where authenticity is celebrated. Women who redefine leadership not only transform their own careers but also pave the way for others to do the same.
This is the leadership revolution we need. It begins with self-leadership, grows into authentic empowerment, and ultimately reshapes organizations and society. The time to lead from within is now.
Reflection prompt: What’s one belief about leadership you’re ready to redefine? Take the first step toward creating your authentic leadership identity today.
Read more from Sabrina Klaubert
Sabrina Klaubert, Women’s Coach & Mentor
Sabrina Patricia Klaubert is a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of She Rising, a Talent & Leadership Accelerator designed to fuel female advancement in organizations worldwide. A Copenhagen Business School graduate with leadership training from Harvard, Sabrina partners with HR leaders to create resilient, inclusive pathways to leadership. Through her expertise in transformational coaching and mindfulness, she shapes the next generation of female leaders who drive impact and innovation.
