In a rapidly changing professional world, female leadership is emerging as an indispensable force. Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, a pioneer in diversity and inclusion, perfectly illustrates this dynamic by promoting the advancement of women to positions of responsibility within its organization.

What is female leadership?

Female leadership refers to the way women lead, influence, and inspire others within organizations.

This type of leadership often values soft skills and competencies such as empathy, collaboration, communication, self-confidence, and the ability to build strong relationships.

Unlike more traditional management styles, which are often perceived as authoritative or results-oriented, female leadership emphasizes emotional intelligence and team development.

The challenges of female leadership in business

They are numerous.

Firstly, it involves fighting against gender stereotypes and promoting equal opportunities in accessing leadership positions.

Companies that promote gender diversity in their management often see improvements in overall performance, innovation, and their ability to attract and retain talent.

Furthermore, female leadership helps create a more inclusive and balanced work environment where different perspectives are valued and integrated into decision-making.

Some statistics on female leadership in France

The presence of women in leadership positions remains limited despite the progress made.

According to a 2020 study by McKinsey & Company, women represent only 28% of leadership positions worldwide.

In France, the numbers are similar, with around 23% of board seats in large companies occupied by women.

However, companies that encourage female leadership see positive results, including a 15% increase in profitability compared to those that do not.

How to promote female leadership in business?

To promote female leadership, it is crucial to implement specific training programs within the company. These programs may include:

-Mentorship and Sponsorship: Women leaders can benefit from the support and advice of experienced mentors, as well as sponsors who help them advance in their careers.

-Leadership Training: Workshops and seminars on specific skills such as public speaking, negotiation, and conflict management.

-Support Networks: Creating networks and support groups for women within the company, facilitating experience sharing and mutual assistance.

-Awareness of Diversity and Inclusion: Initiatives to raise awareness among all employees about gender diversity issues and promote a culture of inclusion.

Female Leadership in the Banking Sector: The Example of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa

Led in tandem since 2020 by Hélène Bernicot, Chief Executive Officer, and Anne Le Goff, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, the Crédit Mutuel Arkéa group has been undergoing a profound transformation of its culture and processes for several years to achieve a sustainable balance of gender representation across all professional domains and hierarchical levels.

While no women sat on the group’s Executive Committee in 2016, it now comprises four women and four men.
The appointment of Élisabeth Quellec as Head of the Retail Customer Division in December 2023 made Crédit Mutuel Arkéa the only banking group led by two women with a perfectly gender-balanced Executive Committee.

A Long-Term Ambition

Since 2016, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa has pursued a proactive policy of diversity and inclusion, illustrated by the “Mission Mixité” (Diversity Mission).
This initiative, based on a collaborative approach, has had a significant impact on the company culture and work organization.
Nearly 440 employees, including a high proportion of men, have committed to being ambassadors of diversity. Their mission is to identify barriers and enablers of diversity within each entity of the group and to implement a training program called “Tous inclusifs” (All Inclusive) to raise employee awareness of gender discrimination and stereotypes.
Today, more than 300 Diversity Ambassadors, grouped into 20 embassies, continue to drive this cultural project with enthusiasm.

Addressing Everyday Challenges

Crédit Mutuel Arkéa has developed an action plan to overcome six major barriers to diversity, including self-censorship, lack of networking, and everyday sexism. This plan includes:

-Work Organization: Introducing flexibility (adjusted hours, chosen part-time, remote work).

-Parental Support: Extending maternity leave by two weeks and introducing a 42-day second parent leave with 100% salary maintenance.

-Career Management: “Boostons les potentielles” (Boosting Potentials) program to identify and support female talents, with a particular focus on female profiles during recruitment and reducing pay gaps.

-Succession Plans for Executives: Systematic identification of female candidates for executive positions.
The results of these actions are remarkable. The group now has 38% female executives, compared to 18% in 2016, and 46% female agency directors, compared to 30% in 2016.

The professional equality index is 94/100.

A Commitment Beyond the Internal Sphere

Crédit Mutuel Arkéa also promotes its values of diversity and inclusion beyond the company through strategic partnerships.

In 2023, the group conducted its first Diversity and Inclusion assessment to gather feedback from its employees on these topics.

The results have enriched the company's roadmap, allowing for the launch of new concrete actions across seven priority dimensions: gender, age, health, origin, family situation, and sexual orientation.

These initiatives illustrate Crédit Mutuel Arkéa’s commitment to a more responsible, solidarity-based, and high-performing bank, demonstrating significant progress towards genuine professional equality between women and men.

The Decision-Making Factory

Hélène Bernicot and Anne Le Goff have often been asked about their joint leadership of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa and their experience with female leadership. They decided to embark on a testimonial project in the form of a co-authored book.

Their essay, “The Decision-Making Factory - Collective Leadership for Committed Finance,” was published on December 1, 2022.
This book is primarily an opportunity to highlight the unique model of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, which is committed, collaborative, and cooperative, rooted in the regions.

Key takeaways on female leadership

Female leadership is a crucial issue for modern businesses seeking to leverage diverse perspectives and talents.

Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, through its actions and commitments, perfectly illustrates how a company can promote female leadership and benefit from its many advantages.

By investing in training, mentoring, and inclusive policies, companies can not only improve their performance but also contribute to a fairer and more equitable work environment for all.