For nearly a decade before joining the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO), I existed as two different people. In business settings, I was tough, aggressive, and unyielding – traits I had carefully cultivated to be heard in the male-dominated tech industry. At home, with friends, or with family, I was someone else entirely. This duality wasn’t just exhausting; it was eroding my sense of self.
I had convinced myself this persona was necessary. As one of the few women in boardrooms filled with assertive male energy, I believed I needed to match or exceed their intensity to gain respect. It worked, at least superficially. I was heard. I achieved results. But something vital was missing.
For years, showing vulnerability in my professional sphere was unthinkable – it felt like career suicide. As entrepreneurs, we face unique pressures that even our closest friends and family struggle to understand. How do you explain to friends who aren’t entrepreneurs the stress of securing multi-million-rand business loans?
They might see only the amount, not understanding the sleepless nights or personal risk involved. How do you share major business wins without sounding like you’re boasting? These are burdens we carry alone, and so having a space to be vulnerable is essential.
According to a study done by Just Share, in the JSE Top 40, women hold 23% of executive management positions. This figure is down from 25% in 2023. Specifically, women hold 10% of CEO positions, 22% of CFO positions, and 19% of board chair roles. Despite some progress, women are still majorly underrepresented and underpaid in top executive positions, which begs the question, why?
These stats directly reflect the persistent barriers to gender inclusion in South African corporate leadership, which is not simply a numbers issue. It is deeply tied to workplace culture, including the prevalence (or absence) of vulnerability and psychological safety. This then leads to fewer women, people of colour, and other minority groups stepping up or being recognised as leaders, and they tend to feel even more isolated and less likely to take risks.
As a leader, I felt I couldn’t show my vulnerability for fear of being judged, which is why when I joined EO, my own transformational journey began, and my approach to leadership profoundly changed. Groups like EO encourage vulnerability; they even celebrate it, and so I now lead with the conviction that every person in my organisation matters equally. The cleaner is as important as our top rainmaker. Each contribution has value. Collaboration and inclusivity aren’t just nice-to-haves – they’re business imperatives.
Many companies focus on diversity, but often neglect the critical aspect of inclusivity, which is essential for a truly effective and thriving workplace. While diversity refers to the representation of different backgrounds and characteristics, inclusion focuses on creating a welcoming and equitable environment where everyone feels valued and can contribute their best work. It also allows one to be vulnerable without judgement.
A diverse but not inclusive workplace can lead to a toxic culture or feel like tokenism, where individuals feel excluded or unseen. To fully embrace inclusivity, we need to become vulnerable and see it as a strength, not a weakness. Diversity without inclusivity is merely checking boxes. What good is recruiting diverse members if they don’t feel fully included and valued?
This became my mandate as EO president: shift our focus from diversity statistics to creating genuine inclusivity.
Diversity will always matter in South Africa, it’s woven into our national fabric. But inclusivity requires intentional effort, which requires a certain amount of vulnerability by both parties. It means ensuring everyone feels heard and valued, regardless of background. It means noticing when conversations drift into exclusive territory and redirecting them to include everyone.
Leading with this mindset requires constant vigilance. It’s not enough to invite different people to the table; we must ensure everyone has a voice at that table. Some of the most successful businesses are those who focus on holistic development across business, personal, and family domains. They also offer a safe space for all members to share their deepest challenges without judgment.
For women navigating male-dominated industries, I offer this: You don’t need to become something you’re not to succeed. Authenticity, empathy, and vulnerability are strengths, not liabilities. The right community can help you discover this truth, as EO did for me.
Article by: Gaynor MacArthur, President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization Cape Town and Co-Founder and Managing Director of Digicape.
