In the business world<\/strong>, where the rules have traditionally been written by men, some women have decided not just to play the game, but to rewrite the rules<\/strong>. Today we talk to two leaders who have challenged barriers, overcome prejudice and made a difference in their sectors: Eva \u00d2dena Jard\u00ed<\/strong> and Almira Zainutdinova<\/strong>.<\/p> Eva \u00d2dena Jard\u00ed<\/strong> is a leading figure in innovation and business growth<\/strong>. With more than 30 years of experience at Compass Group<\/strong>, she has led teams, driven business development<\/strong> and worked in the institutional representation<\/strong> of one of the most influential service companies in the world. Her focus on humanist leadership<\/strong> and her commitment to attracting and retaining talent<\/strong> have made her an inspiration for many women who want to earn a place in strategic positions.<\/p> Almira Zainutdinova<\/strong> has built her career at the intersection of communication, technology and education<\/strong>. With more than 20 years at companies such as Microsoft, Airbus<\/strong> and T\u00e9cnicas Reunidas<\/strong>, she has led international teams<\/strong>, developed global communication strategies<\/strong> and explored the impact of artificial intelligence<\/strong> on language processes. Her passion for education<\/strong> and mentoring<\/strong> has led her to share her knowledge with younger generations, convinced that the future is built on learning and courage.<\/p> Two women, two brilliant careers, one shared reality: the road to female leadership<\/strong> is still full of challenges. In this conversation we look at their experiences, their strategies for breaking down barriers<\/strong> and the lessons that can inspire the next generation of women in business<\/strong>.<\/p> \u201cBeing ambitious does not rule out being generous, or being sensitive\u201d \u2013 Eva \u00d2dena Jard\u00ed<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote> \u201cOur work demands extra effort to make sure technical quality and linguistic precision go hand in hand\u201d \u2013 Almira Zainutdinova<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote> Being a woman in the workplace<\/strong> means being constantly put to the test. It is not enough to be competent; you have to prove it again and again. It is not enough to be ambitious; you have to justify it. It is not enough to lead; you have to do it twice as well to be taken seriously.<\/p> Both Eva <\/strong>and Almira<\/strong> have experienced first-hand the barriers many women face<\/strong> in their careers. From prejudice about female ambition<\/strong> to the lack of role models in leadership positions<\/strong>, both have had to challenge a system that is still not designed to give them the same space as their male peers.<\/p> Eva<\/strong> is clear about it:<\/p> \u201cAmbition has traditionally been seen as a positive quality in men. For us, it is still something we have to justify.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Throughout her career she has seen women expected to please everyone, avoiding firm decisions or risky strategies for fear of being seen as too tough. She has also dealt with the lack of female role models in leadership<\/strong>:<\/p> \u201cWe imitate the people we admire. If there are no women at the top, how can we picture our own path? The good news is that role models are multiplying. From Marta \u00c1lvarez at El Corte Ingl\u00e9s to Ana Patricia Bot\u00edn at Santander and Marta Ortega at Inditex, we see more and more women leading large companies. And this is not just symbolic: representation matters.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> \u2013 says Eva.<\/strong><\/p> Seeing women in leadership roles inspires and marks out a path for future generations. Because every woman who reaches the top does not just break glass ceilings; she builds stairs for those who come after her.<\/p> \u201cThe most surprising thing was that they came from official authorities. Facing that environment when I was young and had an idealistic view of the world was not easy.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Her strategy was clear: stay composed<\/strong>, focus on her work and prove her worth through professionalism.<\/p> But proving yourself twice over<\/strong> is not enough if the rules of the game do not change. As Almira<\/strong> explains, within an engineering company<\/strong>, her team of linguists and humanities professionals has often felt like:<\/p> \u201cAn alien in New York\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Despite progress, it is still common for women’s work in technical or strategic sectors<\/strong> to be questioned more or valued less.<\/p> So how far are we prepared to go to challenge these stereotypes?<\/strong> How can we change the narrative so that the next generation<\/strong> does not have to face the same barriers?<\/p> If being a woman in the workplace<\/strong> is a challenge, leading as a woman<\/strong> is a daily test of endurance. Because the problem is not only reaching the top, but staying there<\/strong> without giving up who you are.<\/p> Eva \u00d2dena Jard\u00ed<\/strong> puts it plainly:<\/p> \u201cWork-life balance is still a struggle for women leaders<\/strong>. Traditional expectations still weigh on us, and the balance between our careers and domestic responsibilities<\/strong> is a constant challenge.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> For years she has had to juggle strategic meetings<\/strong> and family commitments<\/strong>, facing a double demand that rarely falls on her male colleagues<\/strong>.<\/p> The emotional weight of this pressure is real. Eva<\/strong> admits it honestly:<\/p> \u201cLooking back now, I would say I handled it well. But the harsh reality is that I have had some very bad moments, feeling like a \u2018bad mother\u2019 for not being there physically when my children needed me.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Guilt, often self-imposed, has been a burden she has learned to live with, understanding that motherhood<\/strong> should not be seen as an obstacle but as an opportunity<\/strong> to develop and enrich leadership skills<\/strong>.<\/p> Almira Zainutdinova<\/strong> has faced a different reality, but one that is just as demanding. Having built her career in technical and international environments<\/strong>, she had to overcome additional barriers:<\/p> \u201cI come from another country, so family support<\/strong> was different. I did not have my family nearby and relied mainly on my in-laws.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> The lack of work-life balance policies<\/strong> did not help either:<\/p> \u201cIn my home country, sick leave to look after a sick child is paid. In Spain, I had to use my holidays<\/strong> to take care of him.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> On top of that, the pressure to keep a balance<\/strong> between personal and professional life was brutal:<\/p> \u201cIt was like \u2018Squid Game\u2019: constant tests, no margin for error and immense pressure to do everything right.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Travelling for work while her son waited for her at home was not easy, but she found her own way to keep going<\/strong> without giving up what really matters.<\/p> But work-life balance<\/strong> is not the only battle. The fight for respect and visibility<\/strong> has also been key. Eva <\/strong> recalls a situation in which a potential business partner of her company made it clear that he did not want to deal with a woman.<\/p> \u201cHe told my managing director that he would rather negotiate with a man. My answer was clear: there was only one sales director, and it was me. Either he worked with me or we did not make a deal.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> At that moment her boss backed her up without hesitation, but how many women have had to face this kind of discrimination without any support?<\/strong><\/p> For Almira<\/strong>, the challenge has been to show that her work in communication and linguistics<\/strong> within an engineering company<\/strong> is just as critical as any other technical area.<\/p> \u201cWe work in a mostly male environment. As linguists in a large engineering company, we sometimes feel like in the Sting song: \u2018I\u2019m an alien in New York\u2019.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> But she has learned that the only way for her work to be valued is to prove it every day with impeccable results<\/strong>.<\/p> Breaking barriers is not enough. To stay at the top<\/strong>, you have to keep reinventing yourself<\/strong>, prove your value again and again and, above all, refuse to give in to rules imposed by others<\/strong>.<\/p> Eva \u00d2dena Jard\u00ed<\/strong> is clear about what her strategy has been:<\/p> \u201cEarning respect from the first minute.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Throughout her career she has built her leadership on three pillars: preparation, organisation and sacrifice<\/strong>.<\/p> \u201cI have worked hard, I trained at IESE and, above all, I have been extremely organised. But, without a doubt, I have also had to give up a lot of time for myself.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> But real success is not individual; it is collective<\/strong>. For Eva, leadership is not about being the best, but about surrounding yourself with the best. Her approach is clear:<\/p> \u201cAttracting, training and retaining talent was key. I always looked to have the best people on my team, even better than me. A leadership style that recognises that every professional brings not only hands and working hours, but also ideas, emotions and aspirations that can contribute directly to the growth of the business. Building transparent, long-term relationships has been key in my career.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> And here lies one of her great strengths: building teams that do not just work, but grow together<\/strong>.<\/p> Almira Zainutdinova<\/strong> has based her professional growth<\/strong> on resilience and adaptation<\/strong>. Her career in communication and technology<\/strong> has been shaped by the need to show, constantly, that her work is essential in an environment where engineering and technical skills<\/strong> take centre stage.<\/p> \u201cOur work always demands extra effort to make sure technical quality and linguistic precision go hand in hand.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Her leadership<\/strong> is defined by one key word: empathy<\/strong>.<\/p> \u201cFor me, being a leader means giving genuine support to the people around me. Making sure they feel part of the team, valued and professionally fulfilled.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Almira believes the key to a successful team<\/strong> is a positive working environment, where everyone feels heard and understood.<\/p> \u201cWhen people feel valued and listened to, they work with greater commitment and creativity.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> But there is something else they both share: the conviction that leadership<\/strong> is not only about directing, but about inspiring<\/strong>.<\/p> \u201cA leader has to set an example. They have to inspire others to shine, to feel motivated by what they do,\u201d says Eva.<\/p><\/blockquote> Almira agrees and adds: “A true leader is not afraid to admit mistakes or to show their human side.”<\/p><\/blockquote> Women in the workplace<\/strong> not only have to prove they are capable; they also face a recurring question: do we lead differently from men?<\/strong><\/p> Eva \u00d2dena Jard\u00ed<\/strong> answers clearly:<\/p> \u201cWomen are different, emotionally speaking, and so our leadership style is not based only on achieving goals, but on how we achieve them.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Active listening, sensitivity and empathy<\/strong> are traits that tend to be more present in women leaders.<\/p> \u201cWe focus on the what, the who and the how; men, on the other hand, tend to focus only on the what.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> For Almira Zainutdinova<\/strong>, it is less a question of gender than of approach and personality.<\/p> \u201cEvery person is a world of their own. Yes, many women tend to handle multitasking better and pay more attention to detail, but each person’s temperament and experience also play a part.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> However, she acknowledges that in her experience men tend to prefer more direct communication<\/strong>, without beating around the bush, while women:<\/p> \u201cPay special attention to nuance, because we know that details can make all the difference.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Eva recalls that on many occasions she has faced comments about her leadership style<\/strong>, especially compared with her male colleagues.<\/p> \u201cFor years I had to \u2018navigate\u2019 an environment dominated by men and overcome the scepticism of people who did not see me as a strong leader.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Almira has lived through something similar in her sector:<\/p> \u201cAs linguists inside a large engineering company, we sometimes feel we are on another planet.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> However, she has learned that, whatever the environment, the key is to stand firm<\/strong> in your own vision of leadership and in your confidence in what you bring.<\/p> Leading is not only about making strategic decisions; it is also about guiding with solid principles. Both Eva <\/strong>and Almira<\/strong> have built their careers on values they consider non-negotiable.<\/p> \u201cCan-do attitude, responsibility, honesty and collaboration are the pillars that have allowed me to grow and to help others grow.\u201d<\/p> – Eva \u00d2dena Jard\u00ed<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote> For Almira<\/strong>, the key lies in ethics, curiosity and respect for diversity.<\/p> \u201cI believe ethical values are fundamental, both at work and in life in general. Respect for other people’s cultures and traditions is essential to build an inclusive and harmonious working environment.\u201d<\/p> – Almira Zainutdinova<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote> Almira also highlights the importance of education and an open mind as basic principles for her professional and personal growth.<\/p> \u201cThere is always something new to learn and explore, and we must be willing to accept and adapt to differences.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Professional success<\/strong> and personal life<\/strong>. Two worlds that in theory should coexist in harmony, but in reality collide constantly. Because the truth is that, for many women, reaching success means paying a very high price.<\/p> Eva \u00d2dena Jard\u00ed<\/strong> does not hide it:<\/p> \u201cLooking back now, I would tell you it was difficult but fine. But the harsh reality is that I have had some very bad moments and I have felt like a \u2018bad mother\u2019 for not spending more time with my children.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Guilt has accompanied her throughout her career, especially at moments when her children needed her and she was caught between unavoidable professional responsibilities.<\/p> \u201cMaternity policies are insufficient. School timetables do not match work timetables. Guilt, often self-imposed, consumes us. We feel that spending a lot of time at work makes us bad mothers. It is normal for motherhood to take up so much space in our lives that it forces us to rediscover the meaning of our existence through work.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> For Almira Zainutdinova<\/strong>, the struggle has been twofold: being a mother and, at the same time, building a career far from her country of origin.<\/p> \u201cI did not have my family nearby and relied mainly on my in-laws. In my home country, sick leave to look after a sick child is paid. In Spain, I had to use my holidays to take care of him.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> But it was not only about days off: she also had to cope with the distance when work trips kept her away from her son.<\/p> Motherhood, far from being a brake, has been a test of endurance. Eva<\/strong> sums it up like this:<\/p> \u201cWe have to be empathetic and patient with ourselves. Trust in our ability to reinvent ourselves and to keep growing as mothers, as professionals\u2026 as people.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> Leadership<\/strong> is not built only in the office. What motivates us outside work influences how we lead, make decisions and connect with others. For Eva<\/strong> and Almira<\/strong>, their passions are more than an escape: they are a source of inspiration that shapes how they work and lead.<\/p> \u201cThe sea inspires me, and that leads me to write about things I feel. I like sailing and walking in the mountains, a good book and a good wine. I like being with my family and looking after them, and sharing moments with good friends.\u201d<\/p> – Eva \u00d2dena Jard\u00ed<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote> But her passion goes beyond rest. Eva<\/strong> draws on ideas and experiences that push her to be a better leader.<\/p> \u201cI love talks by people who convey motivation, enthusiasm, positivity and strength, and who speak about the power of emotions; in short, the importance of human relationships and how they strengthen or weaken us.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote> For Almira<\/strong>, her passion lies in education<\/strong> and writing<\/strong>, two areas that have shaped her professional career.<\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ovstranslations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eva-768x1024.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/p>The challenge of being a woman in a man’s world<\/h2>
For Almira<\/strong>, the challenge has been making her way in male-dominated environments<\/strong>, especially in technical sectors<\/strong>. She remembers that, at the start of her career as an interpreter<\/strong> for an international human rights<\/strong> organisation, she faced misogynistic comments from figures of authority.<\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ovstranslations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/313-1024x371.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/h2>How they make their way: strategies for challenging the system<\/h2>
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<\/h2>Positioning yourself and setting limits: a matter of survival<\/h2>
Key lesson:<\/h3>
Strategies for leading in a world that does not always accept women<\/h2>
Key lesson:<\/h3>
Do we lead differently? The eternal question<\/h2>
Final thought:<\/h3>
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<\/h2>The values that define us<\/h2>
The price of success and work-life balance: can you have it all?<\/h2>
Key lesson:<\/h3>
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<\/h2>Beyond work: what inspires us<\/h2>