Episode Description:

This episode marks the beginning of a new series about a concept that is central to the Women Emerging Expeditions – The Four Es – Essence, Elements, Expression and Energy. Each week we will be joined by one Woman reflecting on their life in leading through the lens of this concept.

Julia is joined by Chadia who generously shares her journey beginning with her Childhood in Lebanon, where the war resulted in her being shipped off to boarding school in the UK, a place she did not know the language and was far way from all things familiar. She talks about the lesson of adaptability and resilience she learnt early on. She speaks of the need to lead with flexibility and empathy as most people are fighting agaist a number of challeges that are beyond their control, such as economic collapse, a pandemic and and absent State. Growing up, being exposed to both eastern and western traditions, she says, has allowed her to be able to see different perspectives and has enabled her to act as a bridge between different kinds of people, ideas and perspectives. Chadia emphasises on the need to learn how to find a middle ground and meet people half way. To do so she shares some of the tools she uses, such as stepping into the shoes of someone on the opposite side, or learning to wear different masks to make the people around you comfortable and easier for them to relate to you, allowing for effective leading. But how does one remain authentic? How does one balance empathy and yet ensure goals and deliverable are met? What does it mean to find a middle ground and yet not compromise on what you believe in?

About the Guests

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.

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More from this series

130. Buddhism Frames How Tracey Woon Leads 131. Christianity Frames How Isabel Kumwembe Leads