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Episode Description:

In this episode, Julia is joined by Katrien Van den Broeck, author of Confronting the 10 Traps of Power (2024), to discuss the unique challenges women face while leading in politics which is no doubt a highly demanding and hostile environment. Katrien highlights the traps of isolation, perfectionism, and managing team dynamics, offering strategies for women to navigate these pressures effectively.

“Isolation is one of the biggest traps of power: it’s physical, emotional, and logistical. Leaders must make conscious efforts to stay connected to the real world, or risk losing perspective,” Katrien explained.

Drawing from her experience coaching politicians and working with high-profile leaders, Katrien shares practical insights for thriving in power. She discusses the importance of maintaining strong personal networks, learning to take calculated risks, and setting clear boundaries in team management to avoid burnout. Katrien also emphasises the need for women to recognise and seize opportunities, while negotiating conditions that align with their goals.

Listen to this episode to equip yourself with tools to combat the isolation and perfectionism that often hinder women leaders and learn how to stay connected and thrive in high-pressure environments.

About the Guests

Katrien Van Den Broeck

Katrien Van den broeck is the author of “Confronting the 10 Traps of Power” (2024), a survival guide for women in politics. She previously worked as communications and campaign lead for Prime Ministers of Belgium, Guy Verhofstadt and Alexander De Croo. In 2017, she started coaching politicians and through her consultancy Bam.boom, she offers digital communication strategies for clients such as the European Commission, Brussels-based embassies, and UN bodies. Katrien is committed to bringing more women into politics. She is a resident trainer at the Alliance of Her, an empowerment program for liberal women in Europe. In 2024, she co-founded ELECTA, a non-partisan women’s academy for winning elections, aimed at closing the gender gap in politics. Katrien holds an MA in Modern History, and degrees in Investigative Journalism, Online Diplomacy, and Digital Marketing. She lives in Belgium with her partner, two children, and two stepdaughters.

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.