An Interview With Alia Whitney Johnson

Written by Alia Whitney Johnson Co-Founder, Freedom Forward ; Founder, Emerge Lanka Foundation US

1. Why is “an approach to leadership that resonates with women” needed?

If we want to change the script we see in the world today, the pen needs to fit all of our hands. How would leadership differ in a world not centred in patriarchal norms? As we meet with women around the world to understand an approach to leadership that resonates with them, we are challenging models and notions of leadership that have been birthed in today’s dominant structures of patriarchy, capitalism, extraction, and white supremacy to reimagine leadership that would work better for people and planet.

2. Halfway through the Expedition what are you uncovering?

The mind is only one instrument to understand wisdom, where we are going, and what is needed. It has been a gift to learn from women who have shared other types of wisdom they lean on in their leadership. I’ve heard stories of listening to the deep knowledge that our bodies hold, and of ways to fan our spirits' flame so that we can trust guidance that is bigger than ourselves. I’ve heard about facilitating processes for collective and emergent wisdom across groups. Through these conversations, I’m reminded that leadership is not only cerebral. It is also about doing the inner work that supports our outer work — knowing how we each tap into our deepest truths and purpose as a compass for the inevitable turbulence that comes as we move towards a shared vision. I came into the Expedition thinking about leading others. Halfway through, I’m re-discovering the importance of leading, knowing, and working on self. 

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