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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia speaks with Sarah Henry about the traps of energy in leadership and how to avoid them. When a room is filled with energy directed towards a leader, it can be easy to lose balance. Sarah explores the mistakes leaders make when managing the energy of those around them and the dangers of getting caught in unhealthy dynamics.

The conversation highlights the importance of staying grounded, recognising when energy is becoming overwhelming, and protecting personal wellbeing while leading others. Sarah shares practical insights on how leaders can avoid these traps, ensuring they manage energy in a way that is sustainable and beneficial for both themselves and their teams.

This episode challenges leaders to take a step back and reflect on their relationship with energy, power and responsibility.

About the Guests

Sarah Henry

Sarah Henry is the President of the Global Centre for Gender Equality and its founding Executive Director. With over 20 years of experience in development, gender equality, global health and organisational strategy, she has led efforts in non profit leadership, advocacy and political engagement. Passionate about ethical leadership, she brings deep insight into how energy shapes influence and decision making.

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.