Women-only networks have long served as invaluable safe spaces, offering camaraderie, mentorship, and support in industries where women are often underrepresented. These networks enable women to learn from one another, share experiences, and build confidence.

However, while they provide a strong foundation, women-only networks are only one part of the equation. For true progress, these safe spaces need to evolve into “power places”—platforms that offer women not only support but also real influence and a path to participating fully in decision-making spaces.

A major limitation of women-only networks is their separation from the actual power structures where key decisions are made. These networks support women within a distinct space, but they don’t inherently bridge the gap to the broader ecosystem of leadership. As a result, women can feel empowered within their networks but still find themselves excluded from boardrooms and C-suites, where real authority lies.

The problem is one of segregation versus integration. Women-only networks can inadvertently reinforce a divide, providing women with a community but not necessarily a clear path to positions of influence. This divide means that while women may have the confidence and skills to lead, they may lack the opportunities to join or influence decision-making bodies. The reality is that true power lies not just in skills or confidence but in shaping the policies, strategies, and directions within a company or industry.

So, how do we shift women’s networks from being supportive safe spaces to platforms for genuine influence? The key is to create networks that don’t operate in isolation but instead bridge connections to broader leadership.

These networks should focus on integrating their members into existing power structures and advocating for policies that create inclusive leadership. This could mean forming alliances with men in leadership positions, fostering cross-gender mentorship programs, or providing women with influential sponsorships that go beyond mentorship to open doors to tangible opportunities.

This shift also calls for specific leadership coaching. Having guided many executives toward influence and impact, I’ve seen firsthand how strategic support can make a difference. Women seeking to move beyond their network’s sphere can benefit from tailored coaching to bridge the gap between their goals and the realities of integrating into broader decision-making spaces.

An experienced executive coach can help women cultivate the skills and strategies needed to lead confidently, establish alliances, and leverage their unique strengths in ways that resonate at all levels of leadership.

The goal should be to make women’s networks essential to the organizational landscape—forces that uplift women and actively reshape workplace power dynamics.

By supporting women in accessing decision-making roles and advocating for policy changes that ensure equitable representation, these networks can evolve from safe spaces to power places, moving beyond support to true influence. For women looking to make this transition, the right executive coaching can provide both the clarity and strategy to take that next, significant step forward.