As business redefines success, a new leadership playbook is emerging, one rooted in empathy, inclusion and collaboration where women’s greatest power lies in lifting others and turning individual achievement into collective progress – some of The IMAGE Icons tell us more.
“The future is sisterhood, and the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that the only way to be a successful woman is to help other women succeed.” – Fiona Dawson CBE, IMAGE PwC Lifetime Achievement Award winner 2022
The first article in our The IMAGE Icons series explored the transformative power of women who command change and their legacy. This week, we turn our attention to the heart of that transformation: a new playbook of leadership defined by empathy, inclusion and the profound power of women lifting women.
The old, hierarchical models of command are giving way to a more human, connected and purpose-driven approach. The women who lead Ireland’s most dynamic businesses are not just focused on profit; they are focused on progress. They understand that a rising tide requires active collaboration, honest mentorship and a genuine commitment to inclusion.
The modern business icon understands her success is not a solo act, but a relay race. Mentoring for her is not a formal obligation; it is bigger than that. It is both an act of generosity that accelerates the entire ecosystem of female leadership and a moral, mindful act.
At the 2026 IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards, Anne O’Leary, vice president of Mid-Market SMB Group EMEA and head of Meta Ireland, is to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. When asked about supporting other women in business, Anne is unequivocal. “I really believe that every leader has a responsibility to be a positive role model and mentor. It’s about showing, through our own actions, that kindness, empathy and hard work aren’t just nice-to-haves, they’re absolutely essential for real success.”
Fiona Dawson, a global business leader and recipient of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, perfectly encapsulated the legacy of supporting other women: “The future is sisterhood, and the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that the only way to be a successful woman is to help other women succeed.” This sentiment shifts the concept of career development from competition to collaboration, seeing every woman’s achievement as a collective win.
This commitment to paying it forward is the thread that runs through the advice of many of the winners in the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year awards.
Amplifying the voices of others
The journey to the top is often defined by headwinds, and the most successful women are those who actively turn around to ensure the path is clearer for the next generation. They create the spaces, the opportunities and the sponsorship necessary to elevate female talent.
As former President of Ireland and 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Mary Robinson has consistently demonstrated, supporting other women is a moral imperative that transcends national borders. Her entire career, from challenging discriminatory laws in Ireland to her global work on climate justice and human rights, has been an exercise in advocacy. Her leadership is a constant reminder that the power of influence must be wielded on behalf of the most vulnerable.
Her enduring message is one of global solidarity: when you have a voice, you must use it to amplify the voices of those who do not.
Defining a new workplace
The inclusive leader doesn’t just hire diverse talent; she redesigns the structure of power to ensure diverse voices shape decisions. This requires a shift in perspective, moving away from a uniform standard of ‘success’ to one that values different ways of working.
She understands that when the table is not fully inclusive, the entire organisation misses out on vital perspectives and potential. The commitment to diversity is not a checklist; it is an economic and cultural necessity for sustainable growth.
The resilience shown by Irish businesswomen over the past few years, navigating everything from Brexit to a global pandemic, has proven that true strength lies in adaptability and connection. Perhaps the most defining characteristic has been the conscious decision to lead with empathy and kindness. This is not a ‘soft’ skill, but a powerful, strategic imperative that drives engagement, loyalty and innovation.
Fiona Dawson shared her simple yet profound rule for navigating the corporate world: “Always lead with kindness and empathy.” In a high-stakes business environment, this approach creates psychological safety, allowing teams to take calculated risks and bring their full selves to work.
This is the very essence of leadership with heart and foresight. It recognises that an organisation is a collection of human beings, and that sustained excellence is built on respect and genuine care.
Stay tuned for more.
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