The Silent Struggles of High-Performing Women: What No One Talks About

Success often comes wrapped in admiration and applause. The world sees the milestones, the achievements, and the seemingly effortless grace with which high-performing women lead businesses, build brands, and break barriers. What remains unseen, however, is the weight they carry, the silent struggles that exist in the shadows of their triumphs.

As we celebrate Women’s Day, it’s crucial to go beyond the surface-level accolades and acknowledge the resilience, perseverance, and unseen battles that define high-performing women. This day is not just about success stories; it’s about amplifying the voices of those who continue to challenge the status quo, rewrite narratives, and carve spaces for themselves despite the odds. It’s a reminder that true empowerment lies not in the illusion of perfection but in the courage to embrace struggles and uplift others along the way.

The Unspoken Pressures of Leadership

"As a woman building a luxury brand, I’ve learned that the pressure to always deliver can be relentless," says Tiara Dhody, Founder of Treasures by Tiara. The expectation to be both ambitious and composed, to balance creativity, leadership, and personal life without faltering, is an unrelenting force. While the world celebrates the final product, few recognize the sleepless nights, the self-doubt, and the quiet battles waged behind closed doors.

For women in leadership, every decision is weighted with responsibility—one that is often compounded by societal expectations. "There’s an additional layer of expectation to be strong but not too assertive, to be innovative but not too disruptive," adds Dhody. The tightrope walk between being respected and being perceived as ‘too much’ is exhausting.

"Running a holiday rental business may seem like curating beautiful stays, but behind the scenes, it’s a 24/7 job of solving problems. For high-performing women, the real challenge isn’t just the work itself—it’s making it all look effortless," shares Caroline Mulliez, CEO of The Blue Kite, a home rental management company.

Keya Hariyani, Founder of The Alt Culture, shares, "While the world celebrates high-performing women, few acknowledge the silent struggles we endure—especially in a male-dominated business landscape. From sourcing materials to negotiating with manufacturers and securing funding, I constantly find myself in rooms filled with men who underestimate my knowledge or second-guess my decisions. Unlike male counterparts who are often taken at face value, I have to work twice as hard to establish authority. Yet, this struggle fuels my resilience. I have learned to trust my instincts, build a strong network, and embrace challenges as opportunities. The Indian market is evolving, and while the road for women entrepreneurs remains tough, breaking barriers today paves the way for others tomorrow.”

The Myth of Balance

Dr. Kiran Sethi, MD and Medical Director of Isya Aesthetics, offers a dose of reality, "As a single mom and a doctor running a clinic, I have to accept that balance requires sacrifice. It’s impossible to have everything exactly as I want it. But I can have family, work, friends, and a personal life if I accept that some aspects of each will be limited."

Many high-performing women are conditioned to chase the illusion of "having it all." Devangi Nishar Parekh, Managing Director of Aza Fashions, believes it’s time to rewrite this narrative. "The expectation to excel at work while upholding societal norms can be isolating. Many women hesitate to voice these challenges, fearing it will be perceived as a weakness. True success isn’t about accomplishments alone, instead, it’s about acknowledging struggles, setting boundaries, and prioritizing well-being."

The Invisible Load of Gendered Expectations

One of the most overlooked aspects of female success is the disproportionate emotional labour that comes with it. "Why are women the ones expected to find balance?" questions Sargam Dhawan Bhayana, CEO of Tressmart Marketing Pvt Ltd. "Men aren’t asked how they ‘have it all’ because it’s inherently understood that they can. Why can’t we shift the conversation to what high-powered men are doing to support the women in their lives?"

From being mothers and daughters to business leaders and partners, the weight of multiple roles is a burden that many women bear silently. "A working mother, a woman leader, a business owner—we constantly battle guilt, overcompensating at home or work at the risk of neglecting ourselves," says Mamta Gupta, co-founder of Zariin Jewelry. "Our strength, though our biggest shield, also becomes our cage."

Redefining Success and Resilience

The reality of high performance isn’t about doing it all—it’s about prioritizing what matters. But how does one decide what to prioritize? For many high-performing women, it comes down to ruthless time management, setting clear boundaries, and learning to say no. "There are always compromises," acknowledges Radhika Dhariwal, Director & Founder of Passcode Hospitality. "It’s about identifying what truly aligns with your goals and well-being, rather than trying to meet every expectation placed on you."

For some, this means delegating tasks and trusting their teams; for others, it’s about recognizing when to shift gears between work and personal life. "Adding motherhood to the equation is both fulfilling and overwhelming," shares Riya Garg, Founder of Studio Rigu. "The constant juggle requires redefining what balance looks like every day." The key, then, is not in striving for perfection, but in making intentional choices that sustain both ambition and mental peace.

Creating Space for Vulnerability

The greatest strength of high-performing women often lies in their ability to persist despite their struggles. But resilience isn’t about perfection—it’s about honesty. True strength lies in acknowledging vulnerabilities, rather than masking them in the pursuit of flawlessness. The pressure to always have it together can be suffocating, but real resilience comes from embracing the moments of uncertainty and imperfection. "The drive to achieve excellence can turn into perfectionism, where we feel that anything less than perfect is failure," shares Neha Chawla, Founder of TWNY. "This can lead to anxiety and the constant feeling of being ‘never enough,’ even when we are succeeding."

By allowing themselves to be honest—about their struggles, their doubts, and even their failures—high-performing women create space for growth. They redefine resilience not as an unshakable façade, but as the ability to adapt, to seek help when needed, and to move forward despite setbacks. As Asha Gupta, Founder of Asha Gautam, puts it, "What makes women truly remarkable is their ability to rise above these challenges with grace and determination." In a world that equates success with perfection, the boldest act of resilience is choosing authenticity over an illusion of lawlessness.

The Power of Owning Your Journey

Success, as seen from the outside, is often an illusion. The reality is far more complex, nuanced, and deeply personal. High-performing women are not immune to doubt, exhaustion, or the invisible weight of societal expectations. But what makes their journeys extraordinary is their refusal to be defined by these struggles.

Sanya Dhir, Founder & Creative Director of Divani India, reflects on the struggles of high-performing women, ones that history rarely acknowledges: "Firstly, we never recognised them, and when we did, we made them sit on a pedestal. The real struggle was never for the world to see but the battle within. So many times, you have to stop yourself from going too far, thinking what will be the circumstances. Sometimes you question yourself whether the world is ready to accept your decisions. At times, you pause because you want people to catch up with you. It’s a silent journey of questioning one’s own self, and that feels like a struggle every day, but talking about it feels like a good step forward! Here’s hoping for more conversations like these and hopefully a struggle-free future for the coming generations."

As Dhody puts it, "The silent struggles aren’t easy, but they shape us into the women we are—resilient, fearless, and unafraid to take up space. And if that means rewriting the rules along the way, so be it."

Perhaps the most powerful act a high-performing woman can do is to own her journey—flaws, challenges, and all.

On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate not just the accomplishments of phenomenal women, but the resilience, honesty, and quiet perseverance that make their success truly remarkable.