Succeeding against the Odds

This past weekend, history was made. European golfers clinched victory in the Ryder Cup on American soil — the first time in many years. And they did so against a backdrop of heavy police presence, open hostility, and relentless abuse from US fans. The criticism wasn’t just directed at the team’s performance; it was deeply personal.

As I watched the coverage, I was reminded of the challenges so many women leaders face every single day.

Because isn’t this the reality for many of us? Working in environments that weren’t built with us in mind. Spaces designed, whether consciously or not, to favour someone else. For European golfers, it was American soil, American crowds, American energy. For women leaders, it’s corporate structures, cultural norms, and ways of working still designed for and favouring men.

And often, the challenge doesn’t end there. Not only are you navigating a world not tailored for you, you may also be criticised, sometimes openly, sometimes subtly, simply for daring to step into it. Sometimes it seems every decision you make is picked apart, every move questioned, every word scrutinised. At best, it’s inconvenient and exhausting. At worst, it can feel toxic and openly hostile.

And yet, the Europeans prevailed. They didn’t just win; they won with maturity and professionalism. They played exceptionally well, focused on their game, and for the most part refused to let the noise and distraction dent their performance. They demonstrated grace under fire.

It struck me that this is exactly what so many women leaders are called to do.

We are asked to show up fully in spaces that weren’t designed for us. To withstand scrutiny and criticism that often says more about the critic than it does about us. To keep our eyes on the bigger picture, the work that matters, the impact we’re here to make, even when the atmosphere around us feels less than supportive.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t for one minute believe this behaviour, whether it’s hostile fans at a sporting event or dismissive colleagues in the boardroom, is acceptable. It’s not. Surely we can do better. Surely we can respect one another, support one another, and create environments where everyone gets to play their best game. Where differences are acknowledged and celebrated. Where the brilliance of women leaders isn’t diminished by a system stacked against them but amplified for the benefit of all.

Because here’s the thing: when women succeed against the odds, they don’t just succeed for themselves. They create new possibilities for others. They demonstrate what’s possible. They show a new way forward. Just as the European win wasn’t only about golf but about breaking a narrative: proving that victory could be achieved on unfriendly ground.  So too does every woman leader who rises above the criticism, bias, and systemic barriers clear a path for those who come next.

So what’s the lesson for you?

Keep your eye on your game. Don’t let the noise drown out your focus. Anchor yourself in what truly matters to you, in the bigger difference you want to make. Recognise that the hostility you face often says more about the structures you’re operating in than it does about your own worth or competence. And remember, every success you carve out, every “against the odds” win, is proof that change is not only possible, but happening.

And one more thing. Let’s not forget: change happens faster when we call out unacceptable behaviour. When we refuse to normalise hostility. When we ask for, and expect, environments of respect and tolerance. Golf fans, corporate colleagues, senior leaders, clients,  whoever they are need to be held to account.

Because women leaders deserve more than just surviving in hostile environments. They deserve to thrive in supportive ones. And when they do, the whole world benefits.