Women should eschew the Queen Bee syndrome

By Fauziyya Muhammad Bashir

I want to address an issue that is often whispered about, yet deeply affects the growth, confidence, and collective success of women in the professional world.
We frequently and rightly discuss the systemic challenges women face—the external biases, the unequal pay, and the male-dominated structures. But sometimes, the most profound obstacles come from an unexpected place: from within our own ranks.
In too many workplaces, the reality is one of rivalry, not collaboration. Instead of finding support, women are met with silence. Instead of receiving encouragement, they face discouragement. This dynamic is born from a scarcity mindset: a deeply ingrained belief that opportunities for women are finite, and that for one woman to succeed, another must fail.
This scarcity creates damaging behaviors:

• The Withholding of Opportunity: Information is guarded, mentoring is denied, and women are left to fight their battles in isolation.
• Internalized Bias: We find ourselves judging fellow women more harshly, subconsciously questioning their leadership abilities, or doubting their competence—not because of their actions, but because of the societal scripts we have all internalized.
• Subtle Sabotage: We see the use of gossip, exclusion, and subtle tactics that chip away at the confidence and standing of their peers.
  Perhaps the most challenging manifestation is the “Queen Bee” syndrome: the woman who has successfully ascended to the top and, rather than extending a hand down, distances herself. She believes she must stand alone to protect her status, viewing other rising women not as successors, but as threats to her singular achievement.
  Let us be clear: these behaviours are not born of malice. They are a survival mechanism, a byproduct of operating in environments where the glass ceiling is thick and the air is thin. It is the result of a system that historically allowed “only one” seat at the table for women.
  But we can, and we must, change this narrative.
  If we are serious about shattering ceilings and claiming our rightful place in leadership, then we must shift our energy from internal competition to external resistance. We must recognize that our collective strength is the most powerful tool we possess.
  We must replace competition with collaboration.
  We must replace silence with sponsorship.
  We must replace doubt with undeniable encouragement.
  We must actively build workplaces where senior women mentor, sponsor, and open the doors for those who follow. A woman’s rise should never be viewed as a threat; it must be celebrated as a victory for all women, signaling that the table is finally growing larger.
  Let us commit to championing one another. Because when women truly support women, we don’t just lift individuals—we lift the entire organization, creating workplaces that are stronger, more inclusive, and dramatically more successful.

Fauziyyah Muhammad Bashir, is a delegate at the African Women Conference (AWC) 2025 in Accra, Ghana