Making Headlines From The Sidelines: World Woman Davos Agenda

In today’s world, leadership is often associated with being in the spotlight—front and center, making the big decisions. But some of the most powerful transformations happen away from the main stage. Real change often comes from leaders working behind the scenes, influencing industries, policies, and economies without being in the limelight. These sideline leaders use strategic partnerships, quiet power, and systemic influence to drive meaningful change. And their impact is undeniable.

Research shows that the most groundbreaking innovations don’t always come from those at the top. Studies from Harvard Business School and the University of California, Berkeley, reveal that people operating outside dominant networks are responsible for many game-changing ideas. This phenomenon, called the “edge effect,” highlights how creativity and transformation often originate in unconventional spaces rather than traditional hierarchies.

A study in the Journal of Business Research found that organizations embracing diverse, non-traditional leadership structures see 19% higher innovation revenues. When leaders on the sidelines challenge mainstream perspectives, they introduce fresh ideas and unlock opportunities that centralized decision-makers tend to overlook.

World Woman Davos Agenda: Leading from the Margins

A perfect example of sideline leadership making a global impact is the World Woman Davos Agenda. While much of the focus at the World Economic Forum (WEF) was on traditional power brokers, this event made its own headlines:

• 3,000 registered attendees and 1,200 in-person participants
• Trending on social media, reaching 3.4 million digital impressions
• As per the WEF Global Risks Report, reinforcing the urgency of inclusive leadership

This shows how events operating on the sidelines can drive just as much—if not more—meaningful discourse than mainstream forums.

My deep appreciation for the leadership of Marc Walder, Annabella Dr. Bassler Aleksander Kutela Kerstin Hoppe Maria Mikhaylenko Dr. Edeltraud Leibrock Beate Rosenthal Zuzanna Lewandowska for helping us create a powerful platform for change.I also want to thank our partners who helped us shape the vision Aleksandra Karasińska Katarzyna D?bek Katarzyna Gawe? (she/her) Celina Tomaszewska .

"True transformation happens in the margins before it ever reaches the center stage. With 3,000 attendees, 1,200 in-person participants, and 3.4 million digital impressions, our sideline leaders are proving that they are not just shaping conversations—they are shaping the future."

Why Leading from the Margins Matters

Sideline leaders don’t just create buzz—they build lasting systems. Take Wangari Maathai’s Green Belt Movement, which championed reforestation long before ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) became a corporate priority. Her work wasn’t about a momentary disruption but a long-term shift in environmental sustainability.

Driving Economic Growth Through Inclusion

As per the recent World Economic Forum report closing the gender gap in the workforce could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. Yet, many of the people pushing for gender equality operate outside mainstream power structures. Investing in these leaders is not just the right thing to do—it’s smart economics.

A More Resilient Future

The COVID-19 pandemic proved that decentralized leadership is critical. Countries and companies that empowered local decision-makers fared better than those with rigid, top-down structures. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report highlights that traditional leadership models struggle to keep up with today’s challenges. That’s why recognizing and supporting sideline leadership is essential for resilience and sustainability.

Cultural Shifts Start on the Sidelines

From the civil rights movement to the push for sustainability, cultural revolutions often begin outside the mainstream. Business leaders who recognize these shifts early—like Patagonia’s commitment to environmental activism—gain both financial and reputational rewards. Similarly, the World Woman Davos Agenda is reshaping conversations on gender equality, proving that sideline influence can drive global change.

It's Time To Embrace The Power of Peripheral Influence

Organizations that embrace sideline leadership as a strategic advantage will be the ones that thrive. This means opening up decision-making, funding non-traditional entrepreneurs, and building ecosystems where influence is shared, not hoarded.

I stayed for two days after the World Economic Forum, and as I walked through the streets of Davos, I saw firsthand what it takes to transform a small village into a global hub. I recognized many familiar faces—people who had been working tirelessly for almost two weeks without sleep. These unsung heroes, our sideline workers and contributors, are the ones truly shaping the future.

Can we truly compensate the hard work of these individuals with just financial rewards? Or is it time to rethink our models of compensation? Our sideline workers are the ones helping make the headlines—we must acknowledge their role and find ways to support and sustain their contributions in meaningful ways.

You don’t have to be in the spotlight to make an impact. In fact, the most transformative leaders often operate from the sidelines—reshaping industries, economies, and history itself. It’s time to start paying attention.