Why Women in Business Are Better at Investing Than You Think

Let’s get one thing straight, risk isn’t the enemy, it’s the edge. And if anyone knows how to walk that edge with sharp strategy and serious skill, it’s women in leadership.

The stereotype of women being risk-averse in investing? It’s tired, outdated, and completely misses the point. Because the same qualities that make women successful in business, strategic thinking, measured decision-making, long-term planning, are exactly what make them excellent investors.

Adopting Smart Investment Strategies

As a Chartered Financial Planner, one of the highest qualifications in the profession, I work with female leaders who are more than capable of applying their business mindset to personal wealth. This article explores how women can use the same tools they use to run companies and lead teams to build long-term wealth through smart investment strategies.

The Traditional View of Risk Aversion

For decades, women have been labelled as cautious or conservative when it comes to money. This perception, rooted in outdated behavioural models and boardroom bias, suggests women shy away from risk. But let’s be honest, many of us have had to face far riskier scenarios than a market dip: launching products, managing P&Ls, steering through restructuring, or walking into all-male leadership meetings and holding our own.

So why wouldn’t we apply that same confidence and clarity to our investment strategies?

What the Data Actually Says

The numbers don’t lie:

• Investment Performance: A 2024 analysis by Revolut revealed that Australian women outperformed men in investment returns by 1.7%. Women aged 45 to 54 achieved returns nearly 8% higher than their male counterparts.
• Investment Behaviour: Women are more likely to do the research, stick to the plan, and tune out the noise. That kind of consistency is often what drives performance, not timing the market or chasing trends.

The bottom line? Women don’t avoid risk. We assess it, manage it, and move forward strategically.

From the Boardroom to the Balance Sheet

Think about what makes you good at your job:

• You make data-led decisions.
• You know when to pivot and when to stay the course.
• You don’t react emotionally under pressure.
• You balance short-term deliverables with long-term strategy.

These are the same principles that underpin successful investment strategies.

If you wouldn’t gamble your company’s future on a hunch, don’t treat your personal wealth any differently. Your financial future deserves the same level of rigour and clarity you bring to the boardroom.

The Confidence Gap and Capital Inequality

Of course, knowing how to approach risk doesn’t mean the system is set up fairly.

• Confidence: Many women feel they need to know everything before they start. Men don’t. You don’t need to have all the answers, you just need a strategy.
• Capital: Women-led businesses still receive a fraction of global venture capital. But initiatives like Nell Daly’s £50m fund are proving that female founders, and investors, are anything but risk-averse.

Risk isn’t about recklessness, it’s about calculated opportunity. And if you’re already leading teams, managing budgets, or making high-stakes business calls, you’re more than equipped to own your investment strategy too.

It’s time to ditch the myth. Women aren’t risk-averse. We’re risk-smart, with the experience and mindset to back it up.

Ready to Take Control?

Risk isn’t about recklessness, it’s about calculated opportunity. And if you’re already leading teams, managing budgets, or making high-stakes business calls, you’re more than equipped to own your investment strategy too.

It’s time to ditch the myth. Women aren’t risk-averse. We’re risk-smart, with the experience and mindset to back it up.

If you’re ready to apply your leadership mindset to your long-term wealth, Speak to a Financial Planner about personalised wealth management solutions that align with your goals.