India Inc's Hidden Crisis: Why Women Leaders Disappear Mid-Career

• India Inc loses women leaders primarily mid-career, not at the top, with representation dropping from 26% in workforce to 16% in mid-management.
• The 'broken rung' phenomenon sees fewer women promoted to manager roles, compounding the leadership gap over time.
• Factors like the 'motherhood penalty' and a significant 'sponsorship gap' contribute to women exiting the leadership track around the 8-12 year mark.
• Mid-career attrition costs organizations substantial investment, institutional knowledge, and future leadership potential.
• Solutions include formal sponsorship, returnship programs, organizational flexibility, and transparent promotion systems to retain women leaders.