Duygu Alptekin Gürsu, Executive Leadership & Team Coach, Author, and Keynote SpeakerThe corporate world is at a critical turning point. Organizations are navigating rapid transformations, increased complexity, and an ever-evolving workforce. However, one significant gap remains: the lack of women in senior leadership roles. Despite their qualifications, capabilities, and ambition, women continue to face systemic barriers that hinder their advancement.
Duygu Alptekin’s latest book, Empowering Women on the Way to the Top, is not just a guide—it’s a movement. It’s a call to action for organizations, leaders, and male allies to take measurable, sustainable steps toward gender equity in leadership. Drawing from three decades of experience as a leadership and team coach across 50+ countries, this book provides a practical roadmap for women to step into their power and redefine leadership on their own terms.
Here is an interview we held with the author of Empowering Women on the Way to the Top:
Why should women read your book? How will it transform their lives?
Women often find themselves constrained by societal roles and workplace stereotypes, making it challenging to climb the organizational hierarchy. Many either encounter the "glass ceiling" or avoid pursuing leadership roles altogether, assuming these barriers are insurmountable.
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Empathy not sympathy: International Executive Coach Duygu Alptekin Gürsu not only creates a sense of solidarity by validating women leaders' experiences and highlighting their inherent strengths but also empowers organizations and men allies to join their powers to create a meaningful change.
This book is a guide to help women in three transformative ways:
Empathy, Not Sympathy: It provides a sense of solidarity by validating their experiences and highlighting their inherent strengths. It also offers practical tools for identifying personal development areas, naming the barriers they face, and dismantling them effectively.
Empowering Organizations: Many companies talk about inclusion and diversity but fail to grasp the essential role of women in their success and sustainability. This book equips organizations with actionable strategies to support women and foster a culture that values gender equity and broader diversity.
Creating Male Allies: Male leaders often remain on the sidelines, unaware of how co-leadership with women can transform businesses. This book guides men on how to become allies and actively participate in fostering gender-inclusive leadership teams.
By bridging these gaps, the book aims to inspire women to claim their rightful place in leadership, transforming their careers and the organizations they lead.
What are the main pain points your book addresses?
The "glass ceiling" phenomenon prevents women from advancing despite their qualifications.
Societal expectations and stereotypes discourage assertiveness in women leaders.
Organizational biases that undervalue women's leadership styles and create systemic barriers.
Lack of male allies and their passive stance in promoting gender equality.
Women’s internal struggles, including self-doubt, low self-efficacy, and hesitation to step into leadership roles.
How is your book different/better than other books on leadership for women?
Practical Approach: It offers clear, actionable strategies supported by scientific and business data.
Inclusive Focus: The book addresses women, organizations, and male allies, emphasizing shared responsibility for change.
Global Perspective: With experience across 50 countries, I provide insights that resonate with diverse audiences and cultural contexts.
Sustainability: The book highlights how women’s leadership contributes to organizational and societal sustainability.
What do you want women to do after they read your book?
I want women to:
Build unshakable confidence in their abilities.
Dream bigger and challenge traditional career expectations.
Recognize their crucial role in creating a more equitable and sustainable business world.
Take action to redefine leadership by leveraging their unique strengths.
What is your hope and dream for this book?
I hope this book reaches white-collar women worldwide, giving them courage, confidence, and practical guidance to navigate their leadership journey. My dream is for organizations and male allies to adopt the book’s recommendations, creating measurable change in gender equity and leadership dynamics globally.
What has inspired you to write it?
As a former executive in multinational companies, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges women face in leadership. My subsequent 16 year career as an executive coach, working with women leaders across 50+ countries, revealed strikingly similar struggles globally. Finally, my master’s research in organizational psychology confirmed the systemic barriers women encounter.
This book is the culmination of my experiences, aiming to support a broader audience of women while urging organizations and male allies to take meaningful action. It’s a testament to my belief in the transformative power of women’s leadership.
About the author
Duygu Alptekin Gürsu is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning leadership and team coach and keynote speaker who brings a wealth of experience from her exceptional 29-year career as a woman business leader and executive coach.
She holds the esteemed Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential and is among the first to earn the Advanced Certified Team Coach (ACTC) designation from the International Coach Federation. She is dedicated to unlocking the full potential of top and mid-level executives, high-potential individuals, and executive management teams in global corporations.
With a successful international business background, extensive multi-cultural coaching experience, and organizational positive psychology acumen, Duygu converts her deep understanding of the corporate landscape into both a challenging and supportive space for her clients.
She has coached executives in over fifty countries, and her blue-chip clients include Nestle, Loreal, Johnson & Johnson, Mayo Clinic, Microsoft, Roche, Workday, Service Now, Equinix, Philips, Pfizer, Novartis, Unilever, Coca-Cola, GlaxoSmithKline, Vodafone, and Volvo.
She is also the author of the international best-selling book Transformational Leadership: Inspire the Excellence Within, published first in 2023.
Stay connected and empowered by following Duygu on her social media platforms for the latest insights and updates in leadership development and receive her newsletter:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/duygualptekingursu
Instagram: @duygualptekingursu
YouTube: @duygualptekingursu
Website: www.duygualptekin.com
