Sustainable Gender-Inclusive Leadership Approaches: Empowering Women Leaders in Virtual Teams

Rinku Sanjeev, Nidhi Shridhar Natarajan and Smriti Shukla

Chapter 9 in Managing for Sustainability:The Role of Human Resource Management in Advancing SDG Goals, 2025, pp 197-214 from World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

Abstract: This chapter explores the challenges, strategies, and opportunities for women leaders in virtual teams, focusing on integrating sustainable HRM practices. The chapter highlights the fact that gender diversity and supporting women leaders in virtual settings contribute to long-term organizational sustainability.Design/Methodology: This research investigates gender-specific barriers and the strategies of women leaders to overcome those, focusing on sustainable leadership through a comprehensive qualitative approach. The study involves key factors such as leadership style, the role of organizational support system, communication strategies, and work–life balance.Findings: The findings of this study highlight the sustainable leadership practices of women leaders who promote inclusivity and continue leadership development in a virtual environment. The study provides critical insights into leadership challenges such as gender-specific biases, communication barriers, and insufficient organizational support that the women leaders faced. It also highlights the strategies that women leaders apply to overcome these challenges and enhance team performance in virtual settings, such as maintaining work–life balance, overcoming gender biases, and developing an inclusive leadership approach.Practical Implications: This study recommends some practical steps for organizations to provide an unbiased and empowering environment for women leaders while managing virtual teams. Actions such as flexible working policies, leadership development programs, and mentorship initiatives help in developing a gender-inclusive environment, maintaining work–life balance, and enhancing organizational resilience. These actions support the organization in building more supportive and sustainable leadership practices for women in virtual settings.Originality/Value: This research provides an interrelation between gender, virtual leadership, and sustainable practices. It establishes that gender diversity and work–life balance are the key components of sustainable leadership practices. The study supports gender studies with sustainable practices, suggests a new perspective on women’s leadership in virtual settings, and highlights the importance of inclusivity and longterm leadership development in a virtual environment.

Keywords: Human Resource Management; Sustainability; SDG; Employer; Employee; Well Being; Work-Life-Balance; HR; HRM; Employer Branding; Gender Inclusive; Gender Diverse; Gender Equality; Women Leaders; Sustainable HRM; Sustainable HR; Social Responsibility; Corporate Social Responsibility; Sustainable Growth; Remote Work (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M12 M14 Q01 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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