Why are we still talking about women in leadership in 2025?

In recent years, women’s leadership has been the focus of countless initiatives, policies, and conversations. And yet, in 2025, the topic remains as relevant as ever. Why? What’s still holding women back—and what might move us forward? 

We’re Sophie and Sophie—two executive coaches at Turningpoint. For over 15 years, we’ve supported both women and men in senior leadership roles, individually and in teams. Over time, we’ve also supported each other as a duo. Working together has amplified our own leadership journeys, this bond of trust and mutual support has pushed us beyond what we might have achieved alone. That’s the power of connection—and of what we sometimes call “professional sisterhood.” 

With this experience, and from walking alongside so many women in their leadership development, we dream of a future where “women’s leadership” is no longer a topic in itself. And yet, in 2025, it still very much is. 

Why is this still a conversation? 

Today, in France, laws such as the Rixain Act mandate that companies with more than 1,000 employees must have 30% women in executive leadership roles by 2027, and 40% by 2030. These measures are vital for pushing the conversation forward and preventing the issue from being quietly dropped. 

But laws alone won’t create real change. 

Without proper support, these quotas risk creating unintended consequences. Women may be promoted too quickly and set up to fail. They may face suspicion “Are you just part of the quota?”. Or worse, they may carry the invisible weight of having to constantly prove they deserve to be where they are. 

What’s our role as coaches? 

We believe transformation starts from within, not with blaming systems or others. And certainly not with reducing leadership to rigid gendered traits. Our role is to help women fully own their place and power, to step in fully and unapologetically. 

Our hope? That one day, we’ll simply coach leaders, men and women alike, without needing to make the distinction. 

Two stories from the field 

We’d like to share two coaching stories that illustrate the inner work required to step into leadership fully and authentically. 

“Them and Me”

Let’s call her Laure. She came to coaching after joining a COMEX, struggling to work with her all-male peers. She felt blocked, unable to cooperate, questioning her legitimacy. Over time, she realized the judgment wasn’t coming from others—it was her own self-perception that was holding her back. 

In our sessions, she kept her distance, focusing only on describing others, never herself. She spoke of her team as “them,” never “us.” This mirrored her real-world dynamic—holding herself apart, creating the very disconnect she feared. 

Through coaching, she began to see how her own limiting beliefs, her “invisible elastic bands” were holding her back. That band, made of self-doubt, fear, and ingrained conditioning, had to be released for her to step fully into her role. 

“Stepping Out of the Shadows”

During a group leadership seminar, Victoria, a deputy general manager, shared her struggle with her boss. She felt unheard, stuck in a dynamic that was draining her. She believed she needed to improve communication with him. 

But as the group reflected back, something deeper emerged. What was truly holding her back was her reluctance to see herself as ready for the next step: becoming a general manager herself. The insight was powerful—and immediate. Another woman in the group echoed the exact same realization. She, too, had believed her challenge was about managing up. But in truth, she was ready to lead in her own right. 

These stories show the transformative power of reflection, shared insight, and coaching. Real leadership isn’t theoretical. It’s not a checklist. It’s lived. And that shift—from mental intention to embodied awareness—requires deep, personal work. 

At Turningpoint, we believe: if you want to go higher, go deeper. 

What about you? 

Whether you’re a man or a woman, what resonates with you here? 

What “elastic bands” are holding you back? 

And in 2025, what courageous conversation are you ready to have with yourself about women and leadership? 

 

We’re grateful to Sophie Dacquet and Sophie de Soras for sharing their voices in this thoughtful episode