Last year, we had the privilege of hosting a special event to honour exceptional women business leaders who have made remarkable contributions to the corporate world and the economy.
This gathering celebrated their achievements, resilience, and leadership in driving business success and inspiring future generations.
The event concluded with insightful closing remarks by Dr Samantha Ratnayake, Senior Lecturer at the Postgraduate Institute of Management.
His address highlighted the importance of empowering women in leadership and fostering an inclusive business landscape for sustainable growth.
We are gathered here to engage with the influential leaders of the businesswomen community at this forum.
As we approach the closing remarks, I aim to condense my thoughts within the next five minutes. Reflecting on the insights shared by our keynote speakers, including the myriad statistics and the complex landscape of women’s roles in business, we observe both progress and areas of significant challenge. It’s evident from the discussions that while strides have been made in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, there remain formidable obstacles to overcome.
Amidst the celebrations and reflections, one central question emerges: Should we differentiate between female leaders and leaders in general as we envision the future? I believe, ladies and gentlemen, that the focus should transcend gender distinctions. The emphasis must be on leadership itself, with women rightfully taking centre stage, as emphasised by our esteemed chief guest. In conclusion, my remarks are anchored in this context.
I believe this is where the intervention of the Global CEO Forum becomes relevant. By considering the broader perspective, I’d like to introduce two terms: ambition versus aspiration. Which of these resonates more with events like this? In terms of women’s leadership, the conventional mindset often associates ambition with success.
However, merely striving for progress from point A to B overlooks the importance of the journey itself. We must transition from ambition to aspiration, focusing not just on outcomes but on the meaningful progress and growth along the way. In light of this, the Global CEO Forum’s initiatives, spanning from last year to the present, present an opportunity to elevate this discussion. We must collectively elevate our approach to the next level.
Global CEO Magazine, recently launched, symbolically represents this commitment with over 200 pages dedicated to this exclusive opening. This initiative, in terms of the country’s growth, stands out among many others. From the perspective of the Global CEO Forum, we can transition these efforts beyond mere ambition and towards true aspiration.
In terms of leadership, embracing inclusivity and collaboration, especially from a women’s perspective, is paramount. Female leaders often embody a more collaborative and relationship-oriented approach, contrasting with the task-oriented, quick-decision mindset often associated with males.
It’s crucial to recognise that the path forward lies in fostering larger collaborative capacities. In conclusion, this marks just the beginning of a journey towards fostering more women leaders and achieving aspirational goals. Everyone must play a role in this endeavour. Let’s view this milestone as a pivotal moment and eagerly anticipate the journey ahead.
