When is it better to plan, and when to react in the moment

Women in business often carry a double burden. On one hand, they are expected to be exceptionally prepared, just in case, but at the same time, they must be flexible enough to quickly adapt to changes, just in time. They often balance between resourcefulness and maintaining stability through nurturing relationships with their network of contacts and investing in knowledge and skills.

These dual expectations are always particularly pronounced during crisis periods, such as during the pandemic, when women demonstrated an above-average ability to quickly reorganize teams and make intuitive decisions. This phenomenon is also known as the glass cliff, referring to situations where women ascend to leadership positions in challenging circumstances when the risk of failure is higher.

However, behind the apparent adaptability, women hide many insecurities, such as fear of making mistakes, a constant need for additional validation, and even the feeling that they must think everything through in advance.

Capable, but self-critical

The significant pressure women feel to prove their capabilities is also highlighted in McKinsey’s 2024 report ‘Women in the Workplace’. Women face ‘microaggressions’, or comments from colleagues that undermine their credibility and leadership skills, and the research suggests that by not addressing this issue, companies risk losing talented female employees.

Earlier studies revealed that women often feel they must meet all criteria before applying for a job or promotion, while men are more likely to apply even when they do not meet all qualifications.

On the other hand, a 2019 study by Harvard Business Review showed that women are rated higher in 17 out of 19 leadership skills, such as resilience, results orientation, high integrity and honesty, initiative, collaboration and teamwork, and problem-solving. Men, on the other hand, are rated higher in developing strategic perspective and technical or professional expertise.

However, the same data showed that women are stricter when evaluating themselves compared to men. They have lower self-confidence, especially women under 25 years old. Only at the age of 40 does women’s self-confidence equal that of men. Women are very competent leaders, according to those who work closely with them, but their limitations stem not from a lack of ability, but from a lack of opportunities, the research concludes.

‘Holistic intuition’

Thus, despite proven capabilities, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions in companies and organizations worldwide, have lower self-confidence, and face biases and high expectations in the workplace. This presents a paradox: the greater women’s competencies, the higher the criteria set before them seem to be. In practice, women are expected to be impeccably prepared while also being quick and intuitive enough to react in unpredictable situations.

However, real experiences show something quite different. The most successful business decisions often arise from a solid plan, but also from the ability of leaders to react quickly and instinctively. According to research published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology in 2025, women utilize ‘holistic intuition’ that combines a comprehensive overview of the situation with a quick, instinctive response, which is a particularly valuable skill in today’s uncertain and unstable business environment.

Authors Lois Isenman and Marta Sinclair explain that while women’s intuition may take longer to develop, it can significantly enhance decision-making, problem-solving, and people management in a more comprehensive and holistic manner. Male intuition, on the other hand, primarily supports expertise and operational efficiency.

When is it better to be brave and take risks (just in time), and when to be cautious and prepared (just in case), and which approach suits women leaders better will be discussed in a panel at the 15th anniversary conference Women in Business, which will take place on December 4, 2025, at the Mozaik Event Center in Zagreb.

The panel discussion will feature Ivana Barišić, Export Director at Meteor Group, Mirjana Igrec, Management Board Member and Director of Kamgrad, and Mariko Shimizu, General Director of Novo Nordisk Croatia, moderated by Gordana Gelenčer.

The conference will also present the Leader’s list of the 300 most powerful women in business and award the top 10. You can secure your place at the conference via link.