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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia Middleton is joined by theatre director and artist Monica Sanborn to explore how deep inner reflection translates into clear and energetic leadership. Monica shares how an unexpected combination of five objects transformed her approach to teaching, directing, and acting, offering valuable lessons for leaders in all fields.

The conversation delves into the pitfalls of placing others on pedestals and seeking answers externally, rather than within oneself. Monica emphasises the rewards of embracing authenticity, even when it involves revealing one’s less appealing aspects to a team. As the discussion unfolds, listeners may sense the profound resonance between Monica and Julia as they unravel the essence of true leadership.

An insightful episode on self-reflection, authenticity, and the transformative power of journaling in leadership.

About the Guests

Monica Lizabeth Sanborn

Monica Sanborn is a Canadian-born artist based in Brooklyn, whose work explores the performativity of the body as a living archive and its relationship to time. Her artistic practice spans performance, writing, video, technology, music, and filmmaking. Monica is an alumna of Theater Mitu’s South India Artist Intensive and has apprenticed with the company. She studied screenwriting at UCLA’s Professional Program, completed the Professional Conservatory at the Atlantic Acting School, and attended the University of Windsor for BFA Acting.

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.