Many women leading in India navigate deeply rooted patriarchal norms and biases that hinder access to opportunities. This expedition helps them to find a way of leading that is authentic to them and contribute to a global shift away from traditional leadership norms.Â
Explorers from the expedition for Women Leading in India share what they have found about their individual approach to leading through the 4Es.  Â
Explorers join Julia Middleton to reflect on insights, breakthroughs, and the moments from the expedition that reshaped how they lead.
Explorers select a sound to describe their leadership approach discovered on the expedition and explain why it resonates with them
A visual map that captures how different pieces of Explorers’ Essence influence how they lead
This mask shows two inner worlds in one face. On the left, a sun shines over a sprouting branch, in bright colours with the words hope and action, a space of growth, Energy, and forward movement. On the right, everything turns grey: a single eye, a broken heart, and rain clouds holding the words pressure, fear, and vision; a quieter space of weight, struggle, and uncertainty. Together, they reflect a a woman leading by holding light and heaviness at the same time, still moving between hope and pressure, becoming through both.
Aarushi Khanna’s mask feels like a quiet tension between doubt and intention. The blue notes linger above with the words: the need to be heard, discomfort with taking space, self-doubt like thoughts that hover, shaping everything but not quite grounded.
Closer to the face, the pink strips speak louder: empathy, standing up for others, collaboration, community, building + connecting. These are rooted, like the kind of person she is becoming as she leads. It’s a mask that doesn’t ignore insecurity but refuses to let it lead.
Ankita's mask unfolds like a butterfly in motion; soft, yet intentional.
Each wing carries a strength: collaborative, empathetic, confident, action-oriented, qualities that feel balanced, like a person who knows both how to move and how to hold space. There’s a quiet grace in being both approachable and in control.
But beneath, the mirrored wings tell a different story; overthinking, imposter syndrome, fear of being judged, feeling overwhelmed. It’s as if the same wings that could lift her also hesitate mid-flight. And yet, it doesn’t feel stuck, it feels like a leader learning to trust her own wings.
The front of Dishti’s mask radiates warmth; joy, love, empathy, belonging. It’s a presence that makes others feel safe, seen, and held. Words like authentic and patient suggest a leader who shows up with intention, someone people naturally lean toward.
But the back tells a heavier truth; self-hate, imposter, anxiety, low energy, people-pleasing. It reveals the unseen cost of being that light for others.
What’s powerful is not the contrast, but the coexistence. This is a woman leading by continuing to offer belonging even while searching for it within themselves. She is learning, slowly, to extend that same compassion inward.
Explorers use a creative medium to illustrate their aspirational leadership approach and the barriers holding them back.Â
Expeditions
An invitation to be a part of the global shift in leadership and influence generations to come.