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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia continues to explore the leadership lessons from Botswana. Following last week’s exploration, this episode shifts focus to the complexities and strategies women employ in navigating leadership roles within a patriarchal society. Julia is joined by Joyce and Pelonomi, discussing the challenges of leading with humility and strength.
Pelonomi with her candid reflections reveal the intricate balance women leaders must maintain, especially in cultural contexts where power is often equated with masculinity. Wema shares her decision to lead from behind, strategically advancing her ideas by aligning them with male-dominated decision-making spaces.
“The dance ultimately is about recognising that as a woman, you’ve been given a place at the table… Feed [men] your best ideas so that they can claim them as theirs, and you can quietly know that you had a part to play in them. But you have to play the dance. You have to do the dance.”
Thus, together, their stories weave a narrative of resilience, strategy, and the collective responsibility to pave the way for future generations. From leveraging community-focused leadership to adopting psychological strength, they highlight how women in Botswana are redefining leadership on their own terms.

Listen to this episode to explore the themes of originality, strategic thinking, and intergenerational progress, which offers a view of the innovative ways women are leading within traditional frameworks.

About the Guests

Dr. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi

Dr. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi is the 8th Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation of Botswana, having taken office in 2014. With over 40 years of experience in public service, she specializes in Public Service Management and Administrative Systems. Dr. Venson-Moitoi holds a Master of Science in Administration and an honorary doctorate in Social Development. She has held various Cabinet roles in Works, Transport, Trade, Environment, Science, and Education. A long-time member of the Botswana Democratic Party, she has been a Member of Parliament since 1999, with extensive experience across Africa.

Joyce Wema Isa-Molwane

Joyce Wema Isa-Molwane is the Director of Legal, Compliance & Board Secretary at the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA). With extensive experience in legal services, she has held significant positions in Botswana Telecommunications Corporation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana, and the Law Society of Botswana. Joyce specializes in contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, and legal advisory in areas such as telecommunications and civil aviation. She holds an LLB from the University of Botswana. Joyce is known for her principled approach, expertise in legal matters, and her dedication to advancing the communications sector in Botswana.

About the Host

Julia Middleton

Julia Middleton is the host of the Women Emerging podcast and a best-selling author of “If that’s leading, I’m in” as well as two previous books: “Leading beyond Authority” and “Cultural Intelligence”. She is deeply committed to helping people from all backgrounds to find their own approach to leading.

In 2020, Julia launched Women Emerging and in 2022 she lead an expedition of 24 women to find ‘an approach to leading that resonates with women’. She now leads expeditions with women all over the world based on 4Es methodology, discovered in the first expedition.

Prior to that, Julia was founder and, for over thirty years, Chief Executive of Common Purpose, which grew to become one of the biggest leadership development organisations in the world.
Julia is also an Ambassador for the Aurora Prize based in Armenia, on the boards of Alfanar Venture Philanthropy in the Arab World and Equality Now which operates globally, and on the Advisory Councils of Fundacao Dom Cabral in Brazil and Synapse in Pakistan.

Born in London and brought up in New York, Julia was educated at French Lycées and graduated from the London School of Economics. She is married, with five children and lots of grandchildren.