What Leadership Lessons Can We Learn from the Paris Olympics 2024?

Despite ongoing efforts to achieve gender equality in corporate leadership, progress remains slow. The United Nations has warned that achieving gender parity could take 300 years. A LeanIn and McKinsey & Company report reveals that while women’s representation in the US C-suite has increased from 17% to 28% between 2015 and 2023, significant gaps remain, especially at management and director levels, where women continue to be underrepresented.

In contrast, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will showcase a groundbreaking achievement: gender parity, with an equal number of male and female athletes for the first time in Olympic history. This milestone, achieved after decades of incremental progress—from just 2.2% female athletes in the Paris 1900 Games to 48% in Tokyo 2021—demonstrates the power of deliberate policies and committed leadership. Drawing from my experience on the National Olympic Committees for Gender Equality, here are six key practices from the Olympics that can guide business leaders in promoting gender equality within their organisations:

1. Leadership’s Relentless Commitment

The journey to gender parity in the Olympics was driven by the relentless commitment of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President and other leaders. Similarly, business leaders must demonstrate a steadfast commitment to gender equality. This means setting clear goals, allocating resources, and holding themselves accountable for progress.

2. The Power of Symbolic Signalling

The IOC’s decision to achieve gender parity is a powerful symbolic gesture that reinforces its commitment to equality. In business, symbolic actions such as public commitments to diversity and visible support for gender equality initiatives can signal to employees and stakeholders that the organization is serious about making meaningful changes.

3. Change the Rules of the Game

Achieving gender parity required changing the rules governing Olympicparticipation. Similarly, businesses need to reassess and adjust their policies and practices to promote equality. This might involve revising recruitment processes, implementing equitable pay structures, and creating pathways for advancement that support diverse talent.

4. Give Prime Time to Women’s Accomplishments

Highlighting women’s achievements in the Olympics has helped shift perceptions and increase visibility. Businesses should also ensure that women’s accomplishments are recognized and celebrated. This can include showcasing successful female leaders, promoting their contributions in company communications, and ensuring equal representation in leadership roles.

5. It Takes a Village

The success of the Olympic gender parity initiative involved collaboration among various stakeholders, including national committees and sports organisations. In the corporate world, achieving gender equality requires a collective effort from all levels of the organisation. Encourage collaboration between departments, support networks for women, and mentorship programs to foster a more inclusive environment.

6. Stay in the Game

The path to gender parity in the Olympics wasn’t a one-time achievement but a continuous effort of monitoring, practising, and accelerating change. Businesses should adopt a similar mindset, regularly reviewing their gender equality strategies, tracking progress, and adjusting their approaches as needed.

Continuous improvement and sustained focus are crucial for making a lasting impact.

Conclusion

The journey of the Olympic Games towards gender parity offers valuable lessons for businesses striving to improve gender equality.

By committing to leadership, making symbolic gestures, changing organisational rules, celebrating women’s achievements, fostering collaboration, and maintaining a continuous improvement mindset, companies can create more equitable and inclusive workplaces. As we witness the historic achievement in Paris, let it serve as a beacon for how deliberate and sustained efforts can lead to transformative change in gender equality.