Chinese women impactful in top management

Contrary to common assumption in the West, China has one of the highest proportions of women in senior executive roles — outpacing countries such as the United States, Germany, and even France. This surprising reality prompted my research into what sets these women apart, and what others, especially aspiring leaders, can learn from their journeys.

Over the course of several interlinked studies, I have researched how women from different countries rise to top leadership roles in business. Chinese women formed the largest group in my research. Across three phases, I conducted in-depth interviews with 70 Chinese female executives — 38 based in China and 32 working across Europe. All of them held senior positions in multinational corporations, with a few from State-owned enterprises. The first wave of qualitative interviews formed part of my PhD thesis at the University of Burgundy in France and has since been published in five books.

The conclusion of my analysis is clear: successful Chinese women in executive roles, both in China and abroad, serve as powerful role models. Their career paths offer valuable lessons to not only women in China but also ambitious professionals around the world.

How do Chinese women rise to the top in multinational corporations? In China's comparatively supportive environment for women's careers, Chinese female executives distinguish themselves through exceptional intercultural skills and a global mindset. They are highly career-oriented and engage in deliberate, strategic career planning. By leveraging their personal strengths and aligning with the competencies most valued by global organizations, they are able to rapidly ascend to leadership positions.

Their success offers universal lessons. Women everywhere can benefit by reflecting on their career strategies and mulling how to expand their own thinking beyond traditional pathways.

Each of the women I interviewed had strategically leveraged business opportunities, consistently developed international expertise, and demonstrated a collaborative leadership style. This combination propelled them into top positions in multinational corporations based in China's key economic hubs — often in a relatively short period of time.

One recurring theme was their ability to "go where the odds are waiting" — a mindset that underscores their openness to taking calculated risks and embracing change. This is valuable advice for any professional, male or female, willing to explore new environments and test their adaptability.

Chinese women working overseas tend to be more successful if they build a strong foundation in China first. These women exhibit the same leadership qualities and strategic thinking as those who continue their career at home. In contrast, Chinese women who complete their higher education overseas and begin their career in foreign countries face steeper challenges, particularly when navigating cultures where women in top leadership are still a rarity.

The most complex career paths were those of Chinese women who studied abroad and married non-Chinese partners. These women often found it difficult to access the same support networks they might have had in China, highlighting the importance of cultural and structural backing for women's advancement.

Women working in State-owned companies were particularly adept at building strong internal and external networks — essential pillars of their career success. While many gained international experience, too, their time abroad was typically shorter. For younger professionals, these women provide a blueprint for early network-building and long-term strategic relationship management.

The career trajectories of Chinese women in top management positions are more than individual success stories — they are case studies in strategic career planning, cross-cultural competence, and adaptive leadership. Their journeys offer insights to anyone — regardless of gender and nationality — who is ready to rethink traditional leadership models and embrace the future of global business.

The author is the founder of the Global Women Career Lab, a global research and training initiative.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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