As the world of work undergoes constant change and disruption, the phrase “rat race” has become shorthand for the pressures many people in their professional lives. Yet for many female leaders, their success relies on looking beyond the immediate demands of daily operations, showing by clarity of purpose, resilience in the face of uncertainty, and the courage to lead with authenticity.

This International Women’s Day, five alumnae from the CEIBS Global EMBA community share their perspectives on how they navigate leadership in complex environments. From retail to manufacturing, luxury entrepreneurship and international public service, their reflections reveal a common philosophy: true leaders do not focus on outpacing others, instead they seek their own success while staying true to their values.

Authenticity is True Luxury

“The problem with the modern-day rat race is not that people are moving too fast, but that everyone is crowded on a one-way street with no exit, growing more and more confused,” says Elle.

Drawing on more than a decade of experience in the luxury and fashion sector, she has observed how industries once defined by creativity and individuality can fall into “low-level repetitive competition”, such as price wars that erode long-term value. When efficiency becomes a brand’s sole focus, she believes it risks losing the authenticity and human connection that gives it the vitality needed to stand out from the crowd.

This applies to individuals too, Elle insists. In an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, she believes empathy, intuition and emotional connection – qualities often associated with women’s leadership – will become even more valuable.

For her, the essence of women’s power is captured in a deeply personal moment: a photograph from her daughter’s eighth birthday.

“Beyond the decorations and celebrations, what mattered most was the quiet, tacit understanding between mother and child. True women's power is not about conquering others or proving myself, but about having the confidence to ‘be myself’, to uphold my original aspiration amid multiple roles, and live as the most authentic version of myself.”

Celebrate Small Wins

Having spent years in the vaccine sector, Jeanne has witnessed the evolution of competition from traditional business rivalries into what she describes as an “all-round contest” spanning technology, quality, capital and talent. Her industry is undergoing a strategic battle for capital investment, as firms grapple with the increasingly complex challenge of global expansion.

Yet Jeanne sees this heightened competition as a reflection of progress. When she first began her career, China’s pharmaceutical industry lagged far behind global peers in innovation and production quality. Today’s intense competition signals China’s shift from “following” to running alongside or even ahead of its international counterparts.

Navigating these pressures requires resilience but also flexibility under pressure. Jeanne describes her leadership philosophy as “clearing a path when encountering mountains and building a bridge when facing waters”, a mindset that has guided CanSinoBIO’s growth from a small team of around 20 people to a global vaccine giant employing more than 1,500 people.

“You have to cheer for every small victory and breakthrough,” Jeanne advises. “That’s how you connect with your team and foster a culture of confidence that motivates them through the long and demanding cycles of innovation. In this winning atmosphere, small victories build towards bigger ones.”

Leading with Purpose

For Iryna Huryn, the “rat race” only begins when people lose sight of their true purpose. She believes that chasing titles, targets and expectations can easily create a sense of constant motion without meaningful direction.

“When you focus on real change the work feels purposeful, not like a race,” Iryna says.

Her leadership perspective has been shaped by extraordinary circumstances. Operating a large retail business in Ukraine means navigating an environment where blackouts, security risks and investment uncertainty are a daily reality. In such conditions, maintaining clarity and focus becomes essential. Iryna manages these pressures by breaking large ambitions into smaller, achievable steps, ensuring both she and her team remain motivated even during challenging periods.

She credits the CEIBS Global EMBA programme with strengthening her ability to think strategically and maintain a long-term perspective. Rather than changing her direction in times of uncertainty, her academic experiences have helped her refine it with greater confidence.

Iryna’s many ongoing charitable and CSR-related efforts alongside her GEMBA classmates has only reinforced her belief that leadership extends beyond achieving measurable business results; it is also fundamentally about building communities of trust to make a positive difference to society at large.

“Women’s power is often expressed through empathy and connection. Our strength is our ability to connect people, and to build strong bonds within a team,” she shares.

Stability as an Inner Anchor

Cynthia Huang believes that leadership begins with clarity. Without it, individuals and organisations can easily fall into what she describes as “blind internal friction”, where everyone is working hard but cannot deliver their desired outcomes. Leading a team towards a shared vision can transform pressure into a collective journey of growth.

Experience has taught Cynthia that entrepreneurship brings its own unique challenges, many of which stem from the high expectations leaders place on themselves. Her advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs is to strive to “find the right battlefield”. Instead of expending too much effort in competition that lacks purpose, leaders should aim to achieve inner stability to anchor themselves and focus their energy where it truly matters.

“GEMBA has given me a clearer, more prudent "eye" for the realities of entrepreneurship, and business leadership in general,” says Cynthia.

“I can put myself in the shoes of different classmates, learn from their experiences, analyse problems rationally, and explore more scientific and appropriate solutions. That is how you find the right battlefield, and how you win it.”

Expanding Opportunities 

Having worked in both the private and public sectors, as well as various international institutions, Diane has seen how easily leaders can become trapped by unobtainable or simply unreasonable definitions of success. The challenge, she believes, is remaining aligned with one’s deeper purpose even while moving through fast-paced and highly competitive environments.

“The real race is not against others,” she reflects. “It is about becoming a better version of yourself every day while staying true to who you are and who you ought to become.”

This is difficult, Diane admits, when trying to balance professional responsibilities, academic studies, entrepreneurial endeavours, and family life commitments. Helping her to manage that pressure, to sustain those interconnected areas of her life, is a keen sense of perspective. Keeping her goals firmly in view keeps Diane moving forward.

She says that completing the Global EMBA programme reminds her daily that meaningful growth often happens outside one’s comfort zone. Learning alongside classmates from diverse industries and countries continually challenges her assumptions and expands her understanding of leadership and opportunity.

“I also like to remind myself that every step forward can help make the path a little easier for those who come after us: our daughters, sisters, cousins, and the many talented women across our countries and beyond. Just as our elders, men and women, did for us,” Diane shares.

Redefining Success

Although their professional paths span different industries and regions, spanning Europe, Asia and Africa, the reflections of these five leaders and CEIBS alumnae share several common threads.

Their stories underscore the importance of authenticity. As whole industries are reshaped by rapid technological change, the courage to remain true to one’s values can inspire others to do likewise, encouraging them to accept this form of authentic leadership and even one day emulate it.

This International Women’s Day, remember that there is no “winning” the rat race. Meaningful success must be measured, pursued and achieved on your own terms.