This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action, is a rallying call for real, measurable progress toward gender equality.
It calls on businesses, policymakers, and leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action that drives measurable progress. True acceleration must be collective — driven by systems and structures, not shouldered by individuals. It should not be mistaken as a demand for women to work harder, take on more, or push themselves to exhaustion.
Redefining acceleration
For too long, the responsibility for addressing inequality has been placed disproportionately on women. But gender equality isn’t a personal burden—it’s a systemic issue that requires structural solutions. If we are serious about accelerating change, we must redefine acceleration—not as an exhausting race, but as a deliberate, collective effort that reshapes workplace culture, policies, and leadership structures.
And that starts with rethinking what acceleration means—ensuring it leads to sustainable progress for all women, particularly those in leadership.
The power of saying ‘no’
One of the most strategic decisions a female leader can make is learning to say ‘no’. Saying no isn’t a retreat—it’s a deliberate act of leadership. When women set boundaries, they reclaim space for high-impact thinking, deeper leadership, and long-term success. Yet many women feel pressure to prove their worth through overcommitment—being constantly available, carrying more than their share, or taking on additional responsibilities at the expense of their well-being.
At first, saying no may seem counterintuitive to acceleration. But true progress doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from doing what drives the greatest impact. Sustainable success isn’t about doing everything—it’s about making intentional choices that create lasting change.
Well-being is the foundation of performance
Resilience is often overlooked in conversations about leadership and achievement, yet it is the foundation of sustained success. When women push themselves to exhaustion, businesses don’t just risk losing talent—they lose leaders. The paradox is clear: true acceleration requires sustainability. Without well-being, progress stalls.
For women in leadership—especially those in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), where lean teams and high expectations can create cycles of overwork—this is particularly relevant. But businesses that prioritise balance, rest, and resilience don’t just protect their people; they create conditions for sustained high performance. Teams that are supported and strategic in how they work will outperform those simply trying to do more.
Driving change, together
No one drives progress alone—it requires collective effort across every level of business, policy, and leadership. Workplaces, not just individuals, must model a version of success that is both ambitious and sustainable. This means fostering cultures that prioritise balance, flexibility, and meaningful support—not as optional benefits, but as essential drivers of long-term success.
SMEs have a unique advantage in shaping this shift. With fewer layers of bureaucracy, they can act faster to embed policies that support resilience, reward strategic leadership, and actively challenge burnout culture. By doing so, they don’t just support the women in their workforce—they create stronger, more adaptable businesses that are built to last.
Acceleration that lasts
The call to Accelerate Action is urgent, but it must also be sustainable. Progress at the expense of well-being is not progress at all. True acceleration comes from deliberate, strategic action—setting boundaries, prioritising well-being, and creating environments where women can thrive without exhaustion.
This International Women’s Day, let’s commit to acceleration that fuels progress, strengthens resilience, and redefines success—for this generation of women and those that follow.
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Accelerate Action” is this year’s IWD theme. But is it pushing women leaders towards burnout? Peta Sigley, CEO of Springfox, challenges us to rethink progress International Women’s Day Dynamic Business
