Essence: the core of how we approach leading

In the dictionary, Essence is defined as "the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, which determines its character." If we consider Essence in the context of each of us, we all have a unique Essence, the core of what defines us and shapes how we lead. But how did we identify Essence and what it means for women leading? 

24 women from different geographies, generations, sectors, specialisms, backgrounds, beliefs, abilities and aspirations embarked on the first Women Emerging expedition, in 2022. They discovered that leading is individual and personal. There are common elements, but they are not common to all. So rather than develop ‘an’ approach to leading, Women Emerging invited women from around the world to undertake their own expeditions that resulted in a ‘map’ that would guide them. This map is captured in the book “If this is leading, I’m in”. It lays out 4Es, the first three form into concentric circles Essence, Elements and Expression. The flow between these three circles is the fourth E: Energy, which starts to spiral upwards as it generates more and more energy. This Energy must remain rooted in Essence. 

Essence is the center point of our map, as it fundamentally shapes how we approach leading, and it roots the Energy generated. Or as Julia Middleton puts it in her book, it’s like "vanilla Essence"— it’s what gives flavor to our leading.  Each woman's Essence is unique and can vary significantly from others.  

During the first expedition, members identified 7 core pieces that formed their Essence: 

1. Motherness 

2. Nature 

3. The body 

4. The scared 

5. Ancestors 

6. Trauma  

7. Education 

The First Expedition chose the words carefully, coining for example ‘motherness’ to reflect that it is not restricted to birthing a child.  The word sacred is used to encompass the breadth of beliefs amongst women. 

As a First Expedition member explained, "Mothering is more than giving birth. Many women without children are extremely maternal." 

The First Expedition members wanted to frame each piece of Essence in all its aspects and its multidimensional impact on how women lead. Motherness, for example, is so often simply associated with nurturing. Other traits in motherness include:

1. Innovation  

Mothers are often extremely innovative, and this significantly influences the way they lead. Rachel Middleton, a headhunter who had returned from maternity leave, emphasises this perspective on the WE podcast: “There is nothing wrong with failing, even when you know the stakes are high. I mean mothering is the thing that you really do not want to fail at, but you fail at it all the time. Just pick yourself up and try it again, even if it is exactly the same thing. I guess that is what resilience is for leaders. That is what innovation is too: try new things and if they don’t work, try again tomorrow.”

2. Upskilling 

In motherness, keeping up with kids means learning new phrases and ways of doing things. It’s willing to go the extra mile, to avoid miscommunications and keep a close relation. Samia Latif, a public health specialist, shares on the WE Podcast: “With children, regular check-ins are crucial. Kids force you to upskill. They use emojis, slang, and GIFs that are new to me. I ask my daughter what they mean, constantly improving my communication skills.” This adaptability is key in leadership—how willing are we to learn new methods and embrace change? 

3. Tough 

Motherness encompasses a tougher side as well. Consider those moments when you need to impart a lesson to prevent repeated mistakes. Instead of opting for a softer approach, sometimes a slightly tougher action is necessary to foster improvement within your team and enhance your leadership. Saba Al Mubaslat, a leader in the development sector, wonderfully illustrates this in Podcast episode 47: “ It is the same when you are leading. You have to be clear and consistent about what is not acceptable, what must be done better, what can be done better with reflection. To go away and rethink a proposal or whatever you are working on and then discuss it tomorrow. I try to nudge colleagues not to allow themselves to do a mediocre job, if for no other reason than that I know they can do better.” 

There are numerous other aspects of motherness that manifest in our leadership. Julia’s book provides comprehensive descriptions of each one. One of the most intriguing lessons is how every Essence, including motherness, has both positive and negative characteristics. While motherness is beneficial, there are also aspects or ‘shadows’ of it that can hinder leadership effectiveness. Consider smotherhood, for instance—being overly present and always intervening. In leadership, such behavior can disempower others, discourage their growth, and prevent them from developing independently. 

How does one learn to identify an Essence, and use it to their advantage in leading? Women Emerging offers a structured approach to uncovering Essence through the expeditions. An expedition runs over a period of 7 months, has up to 24 expedition members and is led by an expedition leader. During the expedition, members are encouraged to explore in 3 ways: engage in a dialogue with other leaders, reflect on who they are as a leader themselves, and then discuss with the rest of the expedition members. These moments are pivotal as they pave the way for collective sharing among members, fostering a supportive environment where insights can be openly exchanged. 

Through the expedition, it is emphasised that your Essence will evolve over time, as will its impact on how you lead. Women Emerging provides guidance and resources including curated audio snippets, podcast episodes, and written materials, which serve to deepen understanding and clarify concepts crucial to the exploration of Essence. 

For those who prefer a more solitary journey, Women Emerging will soon be offering the option of a solo expedition. This approach allows you to delve into the process at your own pace and on your own terms, ensuring that your reflection and discovery are deeply personal and aligned with your unique schedule and needs. 

In the journey of leadership, understanding and embracing your Essence is the first foundational step. It shapes how you lead, connect, and inspire. By embarking on either a group or solo expedition with Women Emerging, you gain insights needed to uncover and cultivate your Essence.