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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia Middleton is joined by Bhagyashri Dengle to explore what it truly means to work for a board. Leading in this space comes with its own set of challenges—navigating different personalities, balancing accountability with influence, and ensuring alignment without losing your own direction.

Bhagyashri sheds light on the unique position that Chief Executives find themselves in, often caught between their board and their top team. With every decision carrying significant weight, leaders must be articulate, assertive, and open to feedback from both sides to drive the organisation forward.

“It is a difficult task, but also one that is deeply rewarding,” says Bhagyashri.

Together, Julia and Bhagyashri unpack the complexities of board dynamics, the balance of power, and the realities of leading at this level.

Listen to this episode for practical advice on how to navigate working with a board while leading with confidence.

About the Guests

Bhagyashri Dengle

Bhagyashri Dengle is an experienced leader in the non-profit sector with extensive expertise in institution building, strategy development, program design, advocacy, corporate social responsibility, governance, and building strong teams.

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.