The 3 Cultural Barriers Holding South Asian Women Back from Leadership
The 3 Cultural Barriers Holding South Asian Women Back from Leadership
Did you know South Asian women hold less than 5% of leadership roles across most industries?
That statistic isn’t just a data point - it reflects real, lived experiences of cultural barriers, career ceilings, and being “the only one in the room.”
This South Asian Heritage Month, I’m not just celebrating our stories - I’m exploring how to build belonging in the workplace, challenge the norms that hold us back, and share actionable steps for South Asian women navigating work, identity, and ambition.
In this edition, I’ll share takeaways from leading panels with Taboola, Wells Fargo, and Checkout.com, unpack three cultural myths, and answer your top career questions — all through the lens of community, confidence, and cultural pride. 🔗 Learn more about South Asian Heritage Month
📸 Sonya Barlo x Taboola
What most of you may not know is that in 2019 and 2020, I tried to start a PHD programme to unpack the reasons why South Asian Women don’t progress in Technology. Through academic research, we found this boils down to three core reasons: the lack of network, the lack of knowledge and the lack of cultural integration.
As a British South Asian woman in tech and entrepreneurship, I’ve experienced these challenges firsthand. From lacking the mentors required to enter rooms where decisions are being made to having to mask my identity during after work team socials often laughing off my glass of water as a way to fit in with the crowd. It’s these same challenges which encouraged me to start my own community and ultimately consultancy - to support businesses in workplace policies and people development for workplace success. Through LMF NETWORK (Like Minded Females), since launching in 2020, we’ve upskilled over 100,000 people across 24 countries, partnered with 100+ brands, and reached 4 million organic impressions – proving that representation and community matter. We’ve done this through career programmes, inclusion consultancy and international campaigns.
Over the last few years, I’ve also led conversations with Taboola, Wells Fargo, and Checkout.com during South Asian Heritage Month. These events brought together leaders and employees to discuss balancing cultural identity with career progression, negotiating salaries, and building authentic networks. The feedback was unanimous: representation, open dialogue, and community support drive real change. And most importantly, attendees were always delighted to hear such a transparent experience with real actionable points to takeaway.
📸 Sonya Barlow x Checkout.com
1. The Model Minority Myth: Why It’s Holding South Asian Women Back at Work
Question: Why do I feel like I have to be twice as good to progress in the workplace?
The “model minority” myth suggests South Asians succeed only through perfectionism and overwork. On the surface, it looks like a compliment, but it fuels burnout, discourages asking for help, and limits networking because you’re too busy “proving” yourself.
According to McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace Report (2024), women of colour, including South Asian women, hold just 7% of C‑suite roles, despite representing one-third of entry‑level employees. This underrepresentation reinforces the belief that overperformance is required to be noticed.
📌 Watch the TikTok here → The Model Minority Myth is Holding South Asian Women Back
What’s one thing we can do to mitigate the minority myth?
Work on building your network and showcasing your work - this may not be someone who looks and feels like you to start with, but someone who is able to advocate for your work and help you to enter spaces you naturally aren’t invited to. In my first job, there were 2 males on a neighbouring team who I asked to shadow and work on new insights, eventually taking me into meetings and giving me the space to present my work. By doing this, you will open yourself to a wider network, become visible and find mentors in people who are similar up the ladder.
Looking for a network where you can thrive? The LMF NETWORK (Like Minded Females) offers mentorship, peer groups, and events designed to make you visible and supported.
2. Stability vs Happiness: How South Asian Women Can Take Career Risks with Confidence
Question: Should I quit a job that doesn’t make me happy?
Many South Asian professionals are taught to prioritise stability over passion and choosing “safe” careers over fulfilling ones. While security is important, staying stuck can cost you innovation, growth, and happiness.
📌 Watch the TikTok here → Why Do We Pick Stability Over Happiness?
What’s one thing we can do to prioritise our career?
It’s not easy, but knowing and communicating your values and wants is key. Start with writing your values and aligning them with your current or future role, understand what that role means for your career and progression and what the next 3 years may look like. Take your colleague, manager or family member on that journey, reminding them that you’ve done the work so the trust is required and communicate what this means for the wider goals you are all trying to achieve.
LMF NETWORK (Like Minded Females) helps women redefine career confidence by providing workshops, coaching, and spaces to explore bold career moves without fear.
3. Networking for South Asian Women: How Confidence comes from Connections
Networking is often misunderstood as self-promotion, but it’s really about building meaningful relationships. Cultural norms may discourage “putting yourself out there,” but this soft skill is a career game-changer.
According to LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Survey and Executive Confidence Survey (2025), worker confidence has dropped significantly due to economic uncertainty and AI disruption. In times like these, having strong professional networks can provide stability, opportunities, and mentorship, which underrepresented groups often lack access to.
At our Wells Fargo panel, attendees learned practical networking hacks, from negotiating a £20K pay rise to leveraging mentorship to overcome imposter syndrome. Similarly, our Taboola event uncovered how cultural norms around humility discourage visibility, making these conversations crucial for South Asian professionals.
📸 Sonya Barlow x Wells Fargo
📸 Sonya Barlow x Wells Fargo
What’s one thing we can do to network with confidence?
Networking is a life changing skill but daunting! So start small, organise that coffee with a colleague, friend or old teacher. If you’re doing it online, comment on a LinkedIn post that inspires you or ask someone for a 15 minute call to understand what value you can add. If you are still feeling nervous, leverage community: Join groups where your voice is valued like the LMF NETWORK (Like Minded Females) and remember, always give before you ask for a favour - this may be sharing resources and insights or attending someone's event to build that more authentic connection.
The Bigger Picture: Leadership & Representation for South Asian Women
Leadership today isn’t about being constantly online; it’s about using your voice to create impact. Value-led content, active listening, and authenticity build influence, not noise. South Asians’ are a minority group who still face unique challenges, So on one side it’s to develop our own belief and the other, it’s adjusting workplace policies so everyone can win!
Through partnerships with brands like Taboola and Wells Fargo and Checkout.com moving forward, we’ve seen how organisations that invest in inclusion and open dialogue empower South Asian talent to thrive. Every panel discussion, shared story, and networking opportunity during South Asian Heritage Month breaks barriers for the next generation.
📸 Sonya Barlow x Checkout.com
📸 Sonya Barlow x Checkout.com
Ready to Break Barriers as South Asian Women?
Challenge stereotypes – your value isn’t defined by perfectionism.
Balance happiness with stability – choosing fulfilment is not selfish.
Invest in networks and mentorship – community accelerates growth.
💬 How have cultural expectations shaped your career decisions? Reply to this newsletter or comment on the videos, I’d love to hear your story.
📩 Want to collaborate, book me for a talk, or partner with LMF Network? Reach out at hello@sonyabarlow.co.uk.
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth #SouthAsianWomen #CareerAdvice #BusinessNetworking #DiversityAndInclusion #Leadership #PersonalBranding #WomenInTech #CareerConfidence
Sonya Barlow is an award-winning entrepreneur, presenter and author with over 100K followers. She hosts her self-titled YouTube show "The Sonya Barlow Show", authored the business book "Unprepared to Entrepreneur" and runs a business inclusion consultancy and careers app, the "LMF Network". You can work with Sonya for campaigns, content and conversation. Connect via email 📩 - Hello@SonyaBarlow.Co.Uk.