Unlocking Integrated Leadership

Despite abundant research showcasing the advantages of women in leadership, the progress toward gender parity in decision-making roles remains painfully slow. The World Economic Forum estimates that it will take 257 years to close the gender gap at work, a timeline we simply cannot accept. Why? Because the data shows that women leaders, especially in critical, life-saving roles, consistently deliver better outcomes. Waiting that long is not an option.

The World Economic Forum estimates that it will take 257 years to close the gender gap at work, a timeline we simply cannot accept.

In August 2024, a groundbreaking study published in JAMA Surgery by a team of Canadian and Swedish doctors revealed stark statistics. After analyzing more than one million patient records, they found that patients treated by male surgeons were 25% more likely to die in the months following surgery compared to those treated by female surgeons. This sobering figure, when placed alongside the World Health Organization’s data showing that women make up 70% of the healthcare workforce but hold only 25% of senior leadership positions, points to an undeniable truth: the right leadership approach can save lives. But how can we act on this truth today? 

At Unlocking Eve, we are committed to addressing this leadership gap and turning the tide. Unlocking Eve was born in Davos 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when co-founders Eva McLellan and Kaye Vitug, both veteran healthcare executives, made a crucial observation: countries led by women experienced six times fewer confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic than those governed by men. This finding, based on the analysis of 194 countries, struck a chord. Women-led governments were not only more effective at flattening the curve but were also better at making swift, inclusive decisions that balanced public health with economic stability. With women saving more lives, we asked ourselves: what lessons can all leaders learn from these examples?

After three years of rigorous research, our foundation uncovered a profound truth: leadership traits commonly associated with women – such as empathy, collaboration, and adaptability – are not just crucial for survival; they are essential for thriving in times of crisis.

While many industries still cling to traditional leadership models, the pandemic exposed their inadequacies in the face of today’s complex global challenges. It is time to evolve, and that’s where Unlocking Eve steps in. After three years of rigorous research, our foundation uncovered a profound truth: leadership traits commonly associated with women – such as empathy, collaboration, and adaptability – are not just crucial for survival; they are essential for thriving in times of crisis.

However, these qualities are not exclusive to women. They can be cultivated in any leader, regardless of gender, through an integrated leadership model.Integrated leadership is a holistic model that combines what are traditionally seen as masculine and feminine traits: being directive and relational, decisive and reflective, autonomous and collaborative, rational and intuitive. This balanced approach creates leaders capable of making effective decisions in the short term while also navigating long-term systemic challenges. Unlocking Eve’s research reveals that leadership is not inherently tied to gender, but to the ability to master this combination of traits to drive meaningful, lasting outcomes – whether in healthcare, business, or beyond.

Real diversity in leadership goes beyond token gestures; it demands that we invest in people – men and women – by cultivating the leadership traits that deliver measurable results, save lives, and create more resilient systems.

Our findings challenge the conventional wisdom behind traditional human capital strategies, like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Too often, these efforts focus narrowly on quotas, overlooking the deeper need for inclusive leadership practices that genuinely unlock potential. Real diversity in leadership goes beyond token gestures; it demands that we invest in people – men and women – by cultivating the leadership traits that deliver measurable results, save lives, and create more resilient systems.

Governments worldwide are responding to the overlapping crises of our time – what many are calling a “polycrisis” environment – by intensifying their focus on emergency preparedness, whether for climate disasters or geopolitical instability. While crisis simulations and logistical readiness are important, leadership remains our greatest shortfall. Our research has made it clear: today’s leaders are not fully tapping into the breadth of human talent, innovation, and collaboration that are essential to address the challenges on the horizon.

Unlocking Eve was created to address this leadership gap. Our foundation, in partnership with organizations like InTent, is pioneering new ways of thinking about leadership, based on integrated models that bring together the best of masculine and feminine qualities. With three years of experience working with over 200 global leaders and deep expertise in healthcare and business, we equip leaders with the tools they need to be more effective, amplify the potential of those around them, and foster healthier organizations and societies.

Integrated leadership offers a path forward, one that can unlock the full potential of both men and women in positions of power.

As we approach 2025, this is the perfect moment to reflect on the kind of human and leadership intelligence we need to build. The traditional, masculine-dominated leadership models of the past are no longer adequate. We need leaders who can think broadly, act decisively, and lead with empathy – and these qualities are not limited by gender. Integrated leadership offers a path forward, one that can unlock the full potential of both men and women in positions of power.

The future of humanity truly does depend on how well we invest in people today. Unlocking Eve is more than a foundation – it is a movement dedicated to cultivating a new generation of leaders, armed with the insights and tools to create systemic change. Together, we can build a world where leadership is not about filling quotas or checking boxes, but about unlocking human potential and driving meaningful progress.