In the control rooms and boardrooms of the public transport industry, voices often echo in baritones. It is an environment largely shaped by men – technical, operational, systems-driven. But in this space of steel and structure, a quieter but no less commanding voice rises: a woman’s.
Leadership, for a woman in this field, is not just about strategic planning or policy execution. It is about navigating an invisible terrain. One where her presence is often questioned before her performance is seen. Where her decisions are not only dissected but sometimes doubted: was that logic, or was that emotion?
There are meetings where she sits as the only woman at the table. Rooms where the tension is not hostile, but the energy makes her feel the need to prove herself, again and again. She speaks up, but only after rehearsing in her head twice. She leads, but sometimes wonders if her tone is being misread.
Too firm? Too soft? Too sensitive?
These are the challenges many women face in male-dominated industries. But in public transport, where stakes are high and decisions can affect thousands daily, the scrutiny can feel sharper.
And yet, she stays. Not because she needs to prove anything anymore, but because she belongs here.
Because being in the minority teaches resilience. Because surviving the awkwardness builds strength. Because working through assumptions sharpens clarity.
The Power of the Few
Being among the few women in a male-dominated space isn’t just about standing out. It’s about standing strong. Women bring with them not just qualifications, but perspectives that balance the mechanics of transport with the heart of the passenger.
We don’t lose our “soft side” when we step into leadership. We learn how to protect it. We learn when to let it lead and when to let it rest. Compassion is not a weakness. It’s what makes us human in a world obsessed with numbers and timelines.
There is no formula to define the threshold between being firm and being emotional. But perhaps it’s this: Firmness is action with clarity. Emotion is reaction with care. Both are needed. Both, when balanced, make a better leader.
The Unseen Strength
What people don’t always see is that behind every decision a woman leader makes, there’s often twice the thought and half the credit. But there’s also an unshakable truth: we know why we’re here.
We don’t lead to be better than men. We lead to be equal to the task. We lead because we see gaps that need bridging… between strategy and empathy, between execution and understanding, between efficiency and human experience.
And for every moment we’ve been underestimated, we’ve grown. For every sideways glance, we’ve found steadier footing. For every “are you sure?” we’ve answered with action.
Rewriting the Blueprint
Leadership in public transport isn’t just about moving people.
It’s about lifting those around you. Creating space.
Holding the door open for the next woman who walks in, perhaps feeling nervous, uncertain, but full of promise.
So here we are.
Still outnumbered, but no longer outmatched.
We’re leading. Not despite the challenges, but because of them.
Because when we lead with both strength and softness, with both structure and soul, we are quietly powerful.
Written by A. Balancing duty in public service and care at home, she writes from the heart of both worlds