Mind Over Money: Emotional Intelligence is the new leadership edge — and women are already there

Economic Times

07-06-2025

Women Leaders Show Greater Openness and Awareness
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Both Genders Focus on Mental Fitness — But Differently
Neuroscience Provides Data-Driven Clarity
A Shift Toward Intentional Mental Fitness Across Genders
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But when it comes to leaders, are women more aware and engaged in this space than their male counterparts? ETMarkets spoke to a range of experts — from psychosomatic healers and executive coaches to neuroscientists — to understand whether women leaders are indeed more aware of their mental health needs compared to their male counterparts.Their answers reveal a nuanced but consistent pattern: women not only talk more about mental fitness but also take deliberate steps to build it into their lives and leadership styles.According to Kaajal Desai, Transformation Coach and Psychosomatic Healer, women are more inclined toward self-reflection and communication when it comes to their mental health.'Women tend to be more aware of mental health compared to men. They are often more open to self-reflection, communication, and proactive in utilizing tools to maintain good mental health,' says Desai.While this doesn't necessarily mean they are always in better mental health, their willingness to engage with it is often higher. Desai also notes that many women leaders embrace a transformational leadership style — emphasizing collaboration, emotional intelligence, and well-being.With over 2,500 hours of coaching under her belt, Desai highlights that 95% of her coachees are women — including those in senior management roles.'The multiple roles that women play in their personal and professional lives often lead them to seek support through counseling or coaching,' she adds.Amit Vip, an Executive & Business Coach and former MD at a multinational bank, offers a nuanced view based on his coaching experience.'Both men and women leaders have an increasing level of focus on mental fitness, though women tend to talk about it more and explore different ways to stay mentally fit,' he notes.Women often engage in activities such as singing, dancing, journaling, or decluttering — acts that promote emotional regulation and relaxation. Men may prefer more structured or performance-oriented methods. Vip points out that while approaches may differ, mental fitness is now on the radar for leaders across the board.Bringing a scientific lens to the conversation, Kumaar Bagrodia, Founder of NeuroLeap, shares insights from over 20,000 brain assessments conducted using neurotechnology.'Women leaders often show a higher degree of awareness and engagement with their mental health compared to their male counterparts,' says Bagrodia.He attributes part of this difference to brain network dynamics — particularly the Default Mode Network (DMN), which is more active in women and linked to self-reflection. While this connectivity can sometimes lead to emotional rumination, when trained and harnessed, it gives women a 'metacognitive edge.'Women also score higher on interoceptive awareness — the ability to sense internal bodily states — and are generally more willing to seek professional help.'They're not necessarily less stressed—but they are often more intentional about managing it,' Bagrodia explains.Interestingly, he notes that when male leaders do engage in mental fitness practices, the transformation can be equally profound — especially when they view mental well-being as a performance enabler rather than a sign of weakness.The consensus among experts is clear: while women leaders may be more vocal and proactive about mental fitness, the importance of emotional and psychological well-being is resonating across the leadership spectrum.Whether it's through journaling and coaching or neurofeedback and mindfulness, mental fitness is steadily becoming a core part of leadership development — not just for women, but for all leaders looking to thrive in a complex, fast-paced world.