For decades, leadership was often seen as firm, unyielding, and male-dominated. Today, women leaders in Bhutan’s public service are changing that narrative. Tashi Wangmo, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, one of the top executive positions in the civil service, shares how Bhutanese women leaders are breaking barriers and redefining what it means to lead.
From starting her career as a young engineer in 1999 to becoming one of the five eminent members of the National Council, and now serving in the highest executive rank in the civil service, Tashi Wangmo’s journey reflects both experience and evolving leadership.
“So, in 2008, I was fortunate enough to be nominated by His Majesty The King to represent in the National Council as one of the five eminent members and since then, till 2021, August, before I came back to the same ministry where I actually left the civil service to go to Parliament.”
Her journey mirrors the gradual transformation taking place within Bhutan’s public institutions, where more women are stepping forward not just as participants, but as decision-makers, shaping national policies and development. As of the end of June last year, Bhutan’s civil service recorded a workforce of slightly over 30,000 people, of which around 12,000 are women.
In meetings, Tashi Wangmo brings decisiveness and clarity, in addition to listening, a leadership trait she believes strengthens institutions rather than weakens them.
“I always call them, invite their feedback, views on the subject that’s under discussion, and everybody who speaks, I always take it as these are valued, and definitely they would be. And then, once I gather all this information, listen to them actively, then rest of the things, once I’ve got all this information, now how I process it, and then come up with that kind of decision, or make up my mind.”
She sees empathy as a unique strength women bring to leadership.
“One thing that I saw in women is we have the capability of being empathetic. And not to say that men are not like that, but I think by nature we are softer, and then we can put ourselves easily into other people’s shoes. So, make use of it, and again, be consistent, be who you are. Again, does not mean, who you are does not mean that you have to go fight with everybody, you know, throwing tantrum. There are ways that you can actually navigate through certain path.”
While professional roles have expanded rapidly for women, societal expectations have changed more slowly. Many women leaders continue to carry significant domestic and caregiving responsibilities alongside demanding careers.
For Tashi Wangmo, however, she has never regretted choosing a different path and fully embracing her career.
“For me, I just chose this way, and then I enjoy it. And as you grow older, it’s like, you know, I feel, wow, you know, I think I’ve made the right decision. Now I can really fully give my time to this work, and now with experience, having been in the system, so the more and more, every year I can feel myself learning more and more. The more I learn, my learning frontier increases, the horizon, that much I can contribute to the society.”
Her story highlights how leadership in Bhutan’s civil service is evolving, a model where empathy, decisiveness, and inclusion are not opposing traits, but complementary strengths that help shape a more responsive and effective governance system.
Tashi Wangmo may seem like any other senior leader in the civil service, but her journey and approach make her a powerful role model for young girls across Bhutan, inspiring the next generation who may one day follow in her footsteps and take up leadership at the highest levels.
Samten Dolkar
