mining OUR CONTENT
WE HAVE AN EVER INCREASING AMOUNT OF CONTENT, IT’S HERE THAT WE HELP YOU MINE IT
WHETHER IT’S SEARCHING THE PODCAST EPISODES FOR INSIGHTS THAT YOU NEED NOW
CATCHING UP ON OUR FAVOURITE INTERVIEWS
OR DRAWING ADVICE FROM THE MANY WOMEN WE HAVE INTERVIEWED IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS
Julia’s Favourite interviews
“These are my favourite interviews. I chose them because they made me think (or made me laugh). Some interviewees I completely disagreed with; others I wanted to shout about. Enjoy - and please tell me what you think on our monthly Expedition lives”
Julia Middleton, Founder, Women Emerging
Chulu Chansa on Names
Chulu Chansa, Founder, Africana Woman
In this interview, Chulu talks about the importance of names and how names frame women, how those of us who don’t learn other people’s names because they aren’t familiar, should try too and why its so important
Jude Kelly on Compassion
Jude Kelly, CEO & Founder WOW Foundation
Here Jude, one of Julia’s heroines, discusses the importance of acknowledging one another’s pain and courage. And how important compassion and self-reflection are within Leadership
Catherine Ruggles on the Illusion of Meritocracy
Catherine Ruggles, Director, Software Engineering, Google
Catherine talks about women in stem, the illusion of meritocracy and the systems in which so many us are trapped in
Toni Belcher and Jacqui James Gavin On Leading as Men vs. Women
Antonia Belcher, Director, MHBC and Jacqui James Gavin, Chief of Culture, Britishvolt
This is two interviews, with two trans women, we look at the difference between being a leader as a man and as a woman. Both Toni and Jacqui are now successful women leaders and were previously male leaders. They talk about transitioning and the importance of authenticity
Nandita Das on Women of Colour
Nandita Das, Actress & Director
Nandita is a famous Indian actress, who is very special and isn’t afraid to push boundaries. Here she discusses what it is to be a woman of colour
HELP WITH THE TOUGH BITS
Here Julia gives leadership tips starting with HOW TO LEAD A TEAM. She draws on her own experience and the experience of the women she has interviewed for our Podcast
To hear more, here are links to the podcast episodes Julia references in her film:
Episode 7 - Liz Bloomfield Listening as a Leader - Listen here
Episode 18 - Ani Choying Drolma - Leading as a Buddhist Nun - Listen here
Episode 32 - Erin Robinson and Elsa Donohue - Leading through Trauma - Listen here
Episode 34 - Karen Lord and Dr Monica Medina - Leading in difficult situations - Listen here
Episode 31 - Jennifer Stein and Viviana Tellas - Leading in the Arts - Listen here
Episode 19 - Kelly McCallum - Leading in Sport - Listen here
WOMEN EMERGING BLOG
Women Emerging members write our blogs. Always about leadership they can cover everything from leading a creative process to questions leaders should ask about AI.
women emerging podcast
women emerging podcast
search the leadership tips in the podcast episodes
“Julia Middleton has produced a fascinating series filled with wisdom, humour, myth-busting, and love. The Women Emerging podcast is a masterclass on how to let authentic voices shine.” Amy Stillman
72. PROCESS OVER OUTCOME WITH ARMINE AFEYAN
‘Winning or losing are the biggest impostors’ recollects Armine Afeyan, as she brings back our focus on the importance of process in leading, over getting stuck on the outcomes. In sharing her bicycle journey from Czechoslovakia to Amsterdam, she reflects on getting comfortable in the discomfort of new situations, being young and managing diverse teams, recruiting different mindset oriented people, and how to cultivate the patience and perseverance to achieve goals and are not fast, but far.
Catch the latest podcast episode as we discuss the role of sportsmanship in leadership, along with the role of the integral process that we go through each day to become a better leader for those around us and ourselves.
Armine Afeyan, Executive Director, Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Finding comfort in discomfort for real learning to happen.
In difficult moments, act in a way that you would be proud of when the moment passes.
Recruit for different thinking for successes that are FAR, not FAST.
How to be more process oriented in your leadership
Mindset shifts to develop for more confidence as a young leader
71. BREAKING RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES WITH MIRIAM HAART
What it truly takes to break the pillars of religious morality, and be your authentic self has been the theme screaming through this special episode with the fierce speaker, tech innovator, podcast host and a dearly loved queer content creator Miriam Haart. From exploring the small pleasures of writing in the notebook versus laptop, to wearing the clothes that feel authentic to you instead of the uniform that the society expects you to wear, this episode touches topics of courage, achieving the impossible, and understanding the true essence of ‘Faking It’ when even the closest ones don’t seem to believe in you.
If you’ve showed up to meetings not wanting to wear makeup, if you’ve swapped your heels for a comfortable pair of shoes, or if you’ve been called too ‘crazy’ to be a leader, this podcast episode will resonate deeply with you.
Miriam Haart, Co-teacher in CS11: How to Make Virtual Reality, Stanford University School of Engineering, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
True leadership is giving people their ‘Why’
Uncovering the authentic way to ‘Fake It’
Ways to build a life of freedom in an Orthodox Society
How not to fall into the ‘following trap’ as a leader
The importance of digital detoxing and how to do one
Embrace crazy as a leader, go beyond the normalcy
“When teams believe in dreams, they are better teams. Because dreams make us better people.” says Juliana as she speaks about the art of saying no, leading creative teams efficiently, and what being a mother teaches you about being a better leader. How to prevent your dreams from drying up your soul or your relationships and how to pursue them in a more healthy way, Juliana covers it all in this week’s powerful podcast episode. Proudly she quotes “If you produce like a girl, you’re a good producer,” as she gears up for her own Emmy Nominee celebrating her spectacular skills and craftsmanship.
Juliana Alganaraz, CEO & Founder, La Reina Entertainment, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Discussing the art of saying NO as a Brazilian
How to ensure quality creative work from others.
Pursuing your dreams does not mean endless sacrifices.
How to handle gender bullying in workplaces
Motherhood teaches you how to handle diverse personalities at work.
70. FIVE OBJECTS 7: DREAMS IN LEADERSHIP
69. UNDERSTANDING CRIME AND IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING WITH MELISSA KWEE
“Crime is not breaking the law, but rather a violent refusal to love, and be loved.” Rethinking crime with Melissa Kwee as she talks about how the right response to crime is to restore persons and communities to a place where one can love and be loved again. She recollects stories from a Restoration Prison in Brazil where people are not called prisoners but ‘Recuperators’ on their journey of finding a new meaning in life. And diving into the world of networking as she quotes “It takes a Network to fight a Network” - the true importance of building a network for yourself, to make a change in any system.
Melissa Kwee, Co - Creator / General Worker, NVPC ~ City of Good, Biography
Leadership Tips
It takes a Network to fight a Network
How to make space for those who eat lunch by themselves each day.
Blame game doesn’t help truly shift the system.
When the world Zigs, Zag! - Creating Trust Circles
Crime isn’t when one breaks the law, but rather when one refuses to love, or be loved.
68. LEARNING LEADING THROUGH RUGBY
Understanding the power of diversity in a team, understanding when to pass the mic to others to help them share their stories. And at the same time, recognising how to shush the self doubting noise in your own head and claim space to speak. This and a lot more, as Anne Onwusiri, @Blackgirlsruck, a podcast host herself, shares what leading a team of rugby players has taught her about life and leadership.
Anne Onwusiri , Sports Account Manager, Stonewall, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Playing rugby taught me the power of diversity.
As a leader I don’t need to have the loudest voice, but a common vision/goal.
Passion draws people in. Fiction draws people out.
When people treat you badly, choose the resilience of treating yourself well.
Know when to pass the mic to others.
67. TACKLING TEAM CHALLENGES
Do you remember the first time in your life when you felt like a leader?
In conversation with Lulu Raghavan, the brand evangelist and Vice President APAC, Landor and Fitch, one of the world’s largest design firms, as she remembers her school blazer and the first time she felt her leadership. Discussing the pros and cons of the Zoom life, letting people grow in your leadership instead of overshadowing them, and much more, as we uncover her story and learn how to build yourself and your brand from scratch.
Lulu Raghavan, Vice President APAC, Landor & Fitch, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Understanding the leap from an individual contributor to a team leader
How to let go of people - personally and professionally
Get out of other people’s way as a LEADER - don’t limit them.
The Importance of staying positive when the team is acting tough.
How your family can turn you into a better leader
66. LEADING WITH VULNERABILITY
In today's episode, Dr. Stellah Wairimu Bosire shares with us 5 objects which marked her leadership trip. A chair, a tattoo in her inner arm, a photo of her mother, her glasses and her red colourful nails.
Dr . Stellah Wairimu Bosire, Executive Director, Africa Center for Health Systems and Gender Justice, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Break the chain of making compromises as a woman leader.
The importance of R&R (Rest and Recuperation) as a leader
How to cope with the pressure of the leader pedestal that everyone puts you on.
Poverty is not written on our face. How to write your own success script
How to share your vulnerabilities within your own team.
65. LEADING AS A REBEL
“I am an imperfect rebel, and an imperfect leader, but one that’s willing to try again tomorrow.” says the notoriously humble guest for this week’s podcast Paula Alvarez, Founder of Pinball London. A successful producer, scriptwriter and a leader, working in the film and media business for over 30 years. A conversation that explores the topics of perfectionism, misogyny, being a rebellion, understanding the uncertain future, asking due credit where deserved and much more.
Paula Alvarez Vaccaro, Founder & Company Co- Director, Pinball London, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
If you can't see it, you can't be it
As long as you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter if you’re faking it or making it.
Calling things IN versus calling things OUT - Strategy over Arage
Do’s and don'ts of dealing with Misogyny
Perfect is the enemy of good - a rabbit hole of never being ready.
64. LEADING BEYOND PERFECTIONISM AND PEOPLE PLEASING
Humorous, painful, passionately insightful and shockingly honest - in one of the best conversations we’ve had on our Podcast - Uthara shares the five objects that changed her journey of leadership. An episode filled with learnings from over 3 decades of her life, Uthara looks back upon all the moments/tools/people who transformed her into the person she is today. The kind of leading that she brings to the table today.
Uthara Narayanan, Chief Changemaker, Buzz Women/ Director, Avantika Foundation , LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
People want to be led, and some even be managed. Understanding the challenges of a democratic leadership.
The difference between a manager and a leader, and how you can be good at one, and terrible at the other.
The similarity between gardening and leading
The tools to understand your innate strengths and weaknesses more closely.
63. IF THAT’ LEADING, I’M IN
A book in making. A map carving itself to assist you on your own journey of leading. This episode is a glimpse into the love hate relationship I’ve had with the process of writing this book. A book that marks the journey of 24 women from all over the world, who set out on an Expedition to find an approach to Leadership - and found instead a new verb - Leading. What will this book be about? Listen to know more.
‘If That’s Leading, I’m In’ - Book up for Pre-Order. Drop us an email at info@womenemerging.org saying ‘If that’s Leading, I’m In,’ and you’ll be the first one to know when it’s out.
Julia Middleton, Founder Women Emerging & Common Purpose, Biography
Leadership Tips
If that’s leading, I’m In’ - Author, Julia Middleton, book out on 14th Sept
Breaking the myths of leadership - age, being the good girl, limited spots on the success table.
Experiencing the duality as a leader
Impostor Syndrome, our emotions, our instincts - are they our weakness or our strength?
Pre-order by dropping us an e-mail on infor@womenemerging.org
62. ENERGY 4: THE OUTSIDER EDGE
Has your #womanhood made you feel like an #outsider? How do you claim your power in a room full of dominating energies? In conversation with Uma Chatterjee, redefining power in its purest form.
Uma Chatterjee, Mental Health Advocate, Leadership Mentor, Resilience Practitioner / Founder-Director, Sanjog India, Biography
Leadership Tips
Ways to cope with the paranoia of not being welcomed in.
Solitude, more freedom, deeper introspection - some perks of being treated as an outsider for being a woman.
Don't dismiss the powers that you have, by always concentrating on the ones you don't.
61. ENERGY 3: AVOIDING TRAPS
How do you ground yourself, when the whole room is showering you with energy and looking up to you googly eyed, as their leader? In conversation with Sarah Henry, uncovering all the mistakes one can make when in the position of power over others energies, and how to avoid those terrible traps, for your own health, before anybody else’s.
Sarah Henry, President, Global Center for Gender Equality, Biography
Leadership Tips
The abundance of flattery that comes complimentary with power, and how to not fall for it.
Don’t let pleasing people come at the cost of not moving things forward. ‘Death by Consensus’
The dangers of getting complacent in your leading position
Using your pain and trauma to ground yourself when overwhelmed with power
60. ENERGY 2: MANAGING ENERGY
As a leader, how do you start seeing a room of people, not as colleagues, but as energy? How to nurture this energy, and have it self sustain?
Alia Whitney Johnson, Co-Founder, Freedom Forward / Founder, Emerge Lanka Foundation, Biography
Leadership Tips
The importance of grounding your own energy first.
How to build a momentum of energy that expands within the team even if you’re not around.
How to change the dynamics of energy, exclude or introduce new energy, for a stronger team.
How to use the tool of ‘play’ to shift energy, shuffle power dynamics, and ignite creativity in others again.
( Extra tip: Claim your worth, and be aware of what value you bring to the table, and why you bring it.)
59. ENERGY 1: LEADING IS ENERGY
Liz makes the case for leading being about energy. Good and bad. Frustrating or empowering. Draining or generating.
Liz Bloomfield, Executive Director, Ripple Effect Images, Biography
Leadership Tips
How to maintain energy and create change as a leader.
58. ESSENCE WRAP UP
Mona and Julia talk through their highlights of the 7 episodes in the essence series.
Mona Sinha, Global Executive director, Equality Now / Board Chair, Women Moving Millions & ERA FFWE / Executive Producer, Disclosure, Biography
Leadership Tips
Mona on the words to disassociate with leadership.
57. ESSENCE 7: EDUCATION
How education, formal or informal, influences who you lead for good and bad.
Isata Kabia, Founding Director, Voice of Women Africa, Biography
Leadership Tips
Isata on leaders taking into account how people have been educated when they lead them. Have they been encouraged to question or be questioned?
56. ESSENCE 6: TRAUMA
Ayesha talks through how trauma, whether it is your own or it’s inherited or secondary , has a huge impact on leadership.
Dr. Ayesha Mian, Founder and CEO of Synapse, Pakistan Neuroscience Institute, Biography
Leadership Tips
How to deal with the impact of trauma on your leadership
55. ESSENCE 5: ANCESTORS
Hinemoa talks about how what she knows about her ancesters and what’s she hopes her descendants will know of her impacts on her leadership.
Hinemoa Elder, Māori Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist & Author, Biography
Leadership Tips
Hinemoa on the role singing has in her leadership. And how she seeks out ways to use her own language
54. ESSENCE 4: MOTHERNESS
Melissa talks about how motherness in women translates to their leadership, irrespective of whether they have had biological kids or not.
Melissa Kwee, Co - Creator / General Worker, NVPC ~ City of Good, Biography
Leadership Tips
Melissa introduces the concepts of ‘visibility without exposure’ and ‘creating the enviro a net for people to thrive’
53. ESSENCE 3: NATURE
Ana Luz talks about our relationship with nature and how it influences our leadership
Ana Luz Porzecanski, Conservation Biologist, Biography
Leadership Tips
Ana Luz talks of cycles, enoughness, nurturing, being inclusive and being patient.
She warns us about romanticising nature, seeing it as endlessly benevolent then being surprised when it isn’t and of the need to pay attention because nature never stands still.
Ana Luz introduces us to the concept of the infinite game which entirely changes how we lead.
52. ESSENCE 2: THE BODY
Final thoughts as we close the Expeditionary and move to the next capturing and dissemination phase.
Katrina Webb, Paralympic athlete, Biography Sarah Henry, President, Global Center for Gender Equality, Biography
Leadership Tips
Listening to the leadership messages your body sends you
Moving away from the deficit model of judging people, to thinking “what can i do because of who I am rather than despite from it”
How to vocalise a combination of both warmth and strength
51. ESSENCE 1: THE SACRED
Final thoughts as we close the Expeditionary and move to the next capturing and dissemination phase.
Aparna Uppaluri, Global Program, Gender Justice-International Program, Ford Foundation, Biography
Leadership Tips
Aparna on the unknown, cycles, instincts. Why she calls leadership a quality. And how she reconnects with the sacred in her daily life.
50. ACCIDENTAL LEADERSHIP AND BLINDFOLD COMING OFF
Aparna talks about the sacred and how it shows up in her own approach to leadership.
Folawe Omikunle, CEO, Teach4Nigeria, Biography
Leadership Tips
Folawe on how her leadership journey could have been different if she had had an ‘approach to leadership that resonates with women’ to hand
Julia on leading the final chapter of the Expedition.
49. A PAUSE AS THE EXPEDITION CLOSED & THE SHARING STARTS
First thoughts as we leave Bellagio, close the expedition and open the next phase of women emerging, sharing an ‘approach to leadership that resonates with women.’
Sarah Henry, President, Global Center for Gender Equality, Biography Anna Kuk, Director, Son Organique/ Artistic Director, ReVerb Ensemble , LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Anna uses the metaphor of the sun to describe leadership
48. WOMEN LEADERS NEED FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS
Women leaders need female friendships if they are to survive and thrive.
Temilade Salami, Founder, Climate Education Leaders Fellowship, LinkedIn Meenakshi Arundhati Banerjee, Actor | Writer | Researcher, LinkedIn Marga Grobocopatel
Leadership Tips
Meena makes the case for female friendship and how determined women leaders must be to have them Marga advice on how to sustain female friendships
47. MOTHERING & LEADERSHIP - Part 2
An advanced course in leadership from mothers of teenagers. Deeply transferable skills.
Saba Al Mubaslat, Regional Director- MENA, Ford Foundation, LinkedIn Samia Latif,Consultant in Communicable Disease Control , UK Health Security Agency (previously PHE), LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Samia on leaders upskilling their communication skills constantly.
Samia and saba on the autonomy balancing that is leadership Saba on the other balancing act, being loving but also firm.
46. MOTHERING & LEADERSHIP - Part 1
Mothering in the first year changes you fundamentally as a leader - for the better - and we should be celebrating this not concealing it.
Rachel Middleton, Consultant, Not-for-Profit, Odgers Berndtson, LinkedIn Myrna Atalla, Executive Director, Alfanar Venture Philanthropy Organisation, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Rachel on kindness, innovation and being organised Myrna on reframing motherhood as part of a leadership journey.
45. LEADING AN ORCHESTRA
Insights on leading from the front from a conductor in ann orchestra and leading from the middle from a violinist in chamber music.
Martyna Pastuszka, Artistic director, concertmaster , {oh!} Orkiestra, LinkedIn Anna Kuk, Director, Son Organique/ Artistic Director, ReVerb Ensemble , LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Martyna on using your body to lead. To invite people to follow, fully.
Martyna on overcoming the ‘feudal’ mentality of teams Ana on making yourself visible as a leader even if you dont feel visible yourself.
44. BRAZIL’S WOMEN LEADERS
Two very different women join forces at the exact right moment and make it totally gloriously visual.
Camila Pontual, Deputy Coordinator for International and Cooperation, City of Rio de Janeiro, Biography
Leadership Tips
Camilla talks about and gives a powerful illustration of how important theatre is in leadership.
43. HOW YOUNG WOMEN THINK ABOUT LEADERSHIP? PART 2
We conclude these two episodes with young women reflecting on leadership. And yes, the Devil does still Wear Prada.
Dimple Barwani, Organizational Psychologist, Sanjog India, LinkedIn Esther B.R Fornah, Mentee, Voice of women Africa Sierra Leone chapter, LinkedIn Ines Palacios, Obama Scholar, University of Columbia, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Esther shares the dangers of being what she calls “a soft leader” . Rather she says be a “radical leader”.
Dimple agrees but doesnt. She says thoughtfulness and spirituality needs to be central.
42. HOW YOUNG WOMEN THINK ABOUT LEADERSHIP? PART 1
We start 2023 with young women answering the question “how do we make sure the approach to leadership resonates with young women?”. The most common words are empathy, privilege, complexity, exciting and frightening
Olivia Grobocopatel, Project Manager, Grupo Los Grobo S.A., LinkedIn Temilade Salami, Founder, Climate Education Leaders Fellowship, LinkedIn Karimot Odebode, SDGs Young Leader, United Nations , LinkedIn Meenakshi Arundhati Banerjee, Actor | Writer | Researcher, LinkedIn Enaya Noor Mian
Leadership Tips
Olivia makes a great list of her essentials of leadership Temi on not needing validation before easing Meena on privilege Noor and Sara on balancing empathy with getting the job done.
41. LEARNINGS FROM LEADING A VIRTUAL EXPEDITION TO FIND AN APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP THAT RESONATES WITH WOMEN
Julia answers everyone’s Expedition questions in one episode!
Then tries to capture what she has learnt about leadership while leading an expedition about leadership.
Julia Middleton, Founder Women Emerging & Common Purpose, Biography
Leadership Tips
Julia’s learning from the experience of leading an expedition. About holding to the task, agility, lost moments, leading diversity and kindness.
40. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE WITHIN LEADERSHIP?
The language of leadership is dominated by English. This episode reveals just what a flaw this is. If you think translation is simple, listen to this episode. It illustrates the opposite and the source of many misunderstandings.
Selvie Jusman, Finance Professional, Biography Uma Chatterjee, Mental Health Advocate, Leadership Mentor, Resilience Practitioner / Founder-Director, Sanjog India, Biography Isata Kabia, Founding Director, Voice of Women Africa, Biography Hinemoa Elder, Māori Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist & Author, Biography Katya Guryeva, Team Delivery Officer, Climate Solutions & Networks, C40 Cities, Biography Ana Luz Porzecanski, Conservation Biologist, Biography Fatima Zibouh, Expert/Analyst on Diversity, Inclusion and Discrimination Researcher, Social and Political Science, Biography Rouba Mhaissen, Founder and Director, Sawa Foundation, Biography Anna Kuk, Director, Son Organique/ Artistic Director, ReVerb Ensemble , LinkedIn Erica Su, Head of Strategy and Transactions Practice, EY, Biography Maria Karageorgou, Community Manager, Women Emerging, Biography
Leadership Tips
The whole episode is a leadership tip, illustrates the dangers of communication assumptions most especially in multiple languages.
39. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE WITHIN LEADERSHIP?
Continuing to look at the context in which women are now leading – and how this will impact how they lead – we look at AI.
Then to pull these two episodes together we look at the current world financial order. At how little it would take to shift it a little and what a vast and rapid impact this would have on many of the issues we face
Nichole Bradford, Founder/ Partner, NIREMIA Collective / Executive Director / Co-Founder, The Transformative Technology Lab, Adjunct Professor, Stanford University, LinkedIn Leila Toplic, Head of Technologies Initiative, NetHope, LinkedIn Paula Langton, Partner, Campbell Lutyens , LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Nicole on the speed and compounding effect of change ahead and the need for leaders to be ready for it.
Leila on the questions all women leaders should be asking about AI Paula on the need for leaders to understand the many levers of power Nicole, leila and Paula on the need for women to keep asking the questions and not to accept simplistic answers.
38. HOW TO LEAD IN TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS
Looks at the context in which the Women Emerging Expedition is taking place. From the climate change to geopolitics and the ever changing international order to human rights and the weaknesses of the global legal framework. All have direct impact on how women lead and especially how they lead in traumatic times.
Francesca Cavallo, Founder & CEO, Undercats, Inc., LinkedIn Twila Moon, Member, Polar Research Board / Deputy Lead Scientist, National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), LinkedIn Dr. Claire Yorke, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, Center for War Studies, University of Southern Denmark ,LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Claire on the need leaders to create common space when different sides are calling each other out.
Francesca on leaders speaking with open minds and not assuming bad faith Twila on leading in the absence of a new normal and leading people who morn the familiar and the less frightening.
37. HOW DOES PRIVILEGE AFFECT LEADERSHIP?
It takes more than 24 women to do an Expedition. Four of the many women who helped, guided, cheered share what they have added and why they have done so. Privilege is a recurring theme.
Deepali Khanna, Vice President, The Rockefeller Foundation, LinkedIn Theo Sowa, Writer/Human Right Activist/ Consultant/ Television presenter, Wikipedia Marianne Schnall, Journalist/Interviewer/Author, Forbes Contributor, Forbes , LinkedIn Stephanie Khurana, Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation / Faculty Dean Emeritus, Cabot House; Social Impact Fellowship Fund Judge, Harvard Innovation Labs, Harvard University, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Stephanie on the exciting discomfort of diversity Theo on intergenerational leadership.
36. HOW DO YOU LEAD A FIGHT?
How to lead a fight. Not an organisation or a campaign but a fight. Covering everything from the self-care necessary to lead a fight to dealing with the raw anger.
Leila Toplic, Head of Technologies Initiative, NetHope, LinkedIn Julienne Lusenge, Directrice du Fond , Les femmes congolaises, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Leila about choosing your fight and sharing hope.
Julienne on keeping the fire burning by never loosing touch with who you are fighting for.
35. WHAT DOES THE POSITION OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY LOOK LIKE IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES & CULTURES?
A look at women's place in society. How it looks in different countries and cultures across the world. Seen through the eyes of women who have moved to the US from different countries. How their ‘own’ cultures have shaped them and how that differs from the US.
Anna Afeyan, Governor, Board of Trustees , UWC Dilijan College, LinkedIn Alfonsina Penaloza, Director for Programs, Global & Latin America, Co - Impact, LinkedIn Anila Dehart, Managing Director, Global Talent, Deloitte, UK, LinkedIn Selvie Jusman, Finance Professional, Biography
Leadership Tips
Anila on the subtlety and cultural specificity of misogyny Alfonsina on different concepts of time Anna on not underestimating differences
34. HOW DO YOU HAVE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS AS A LEADER?
A dive into how leaders have those tough conversations, especially around performance. How to prepare for them, how to run them and what to do after them.
Dr. Monica Medina, Literacy Consultant, International & US schools, LinkedIn Karen Lord, Entrepreneurial Publisher, KADELO GROUP LIMITED / Author, St. Martin's Press, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Karen and Monica share how leaders should prepare, hold and debrief really difficult conversations with members of their teams. The detail to work through, the traps to avoid and what to focus on
33. THE ILLUSION OF MERITOCRACY
Insights into being “the only woman in ……” in this case STEM. And the damage that the illusion of meritocracy causes.
Catherine Ruggles, Director, Software Engineering, Google, LinkedIn Nosipho Damasane, Chairman of the Board, Richards Bay Coal Terminal Co., Ltd. LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Catherine sees the problems caused by too few women in tech and says the “illusion of meritocracy” means nothing with change fast.
Nosipho says that against all the odds you have to be yourself, she has been and has the scars to prove it. And the triumphs.
32. LEADING THROUGH TRAUMA
Here two women - who have been leaders in deeply traumatic situations in their schools - share how they survived.
Elsa Donohue, Head of School, Vientiane International School, LinkedIn Erin Robinson, Head of Secondary, Atlanta International School. LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Elsa lead trauma by being visible, not frightened of silence. Deeply consistent. And not to share too much, or too little.
Erin takes up at this point from Erin “do authencitiy with great care”
31. CREATIVITY & LEADERSHIP
Great women in the arts, they have learnt so much about how to lead creativity. Here they tell share the insights. As ever, good and bad. Successful and flopped.
Jennifer Stein, Freelance Producer & Director , LinkedIn Vivi Tellas, HTheater, Director & Curator, Biodrama
Leadership Tips
Jennifer says the best words for the leader of a creative process to say is “Let’s try it”.
Vivi adds that you have to deliberately abandon control, allow irresponsibility and surprise. Don’t rush to correct, be curious, have patience. Listen hard.
30. WOMEN WHO LEAD MOVEMENTS - PART 2
We continue the conversation about what it takes to lead movements. Story telling and setting the pace stand out as two essential elements.
Melissa Berman, Founding President & CEO, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisor , LinkedIn Uma Chatterjee, Mental Health Advocate, Leadership Mentor, Resilience Practitioner / Founder-Director, Sanjog India, Biography
Leadership Tips
Melissa observes that great leaders of movements are story tellers and thats how they change narratives.
Uma focuses on the pace you have to set to lead a movement. On when she has got it wrong and when she got it right. Bingo.
29. WOMEN WHO LEAD MOVEMENTS - PART 1
Two masters of the art and science of leading movements share the successes and failures of movements they have lead themselves or been part of.
Latanya Mapp Frett, President & CEO, Global Fund for Women , LinkedIn Baroness Helena Kennedy, Barrister, Broadcaster & Labour member House of Lords, Wikipedia
Leadership Tips
Helena believes that the leader of a movements primary role is to give hope, even when things might seem hopeless to you.
Latanya has seen how leaders of movements (1) dont surround themselves with yes people (2) have an instinct for the right partnerships (3) are afraid but not immobilised by it (3) look after themselves (4) do succession planning (are ruthless with the opposition and kindness itself with members of the movement.
28. MIDWIFE LEADERSHIP
In answer to the question “how do we make sure the approach to leadership resonates with women wherever they are leading ?” Five midwives from across the world gave me their perspective. A fascinating one. They are women with huge leadership roles in the birthing room who are hardly listened to once they walk out of it.
Olajumoke Adebayo, Global Maternal health Expert, Young Midwife leader, International Confederation of Midwives, LinkedIn Harriet Nayiga, Midwife, Wentz medical centre, LinkedIn Luseshelo Fanny Simwinga, Nurse Midwife, GAIA, LinkedIn Neha Mankani, Regional Coordinator , Southeast Asia- PUSH Campaign, LinkedIn Sylvia Penelao Hamata, Young Leader Midwife Alumni, International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
27. TRANS LEADERSHIP
Two trans women talk about their experiences as both male and female leaders. From proving you are as ‘strong’ as a man to feeling free to have honest and open conversations as a woman.
Antonia Belscher, Director, MHBC Cumming, LinkedIn Jacqui James Gavin, Chief of Culture, Britishvolt, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Toni tells us as women that we must speak, be heard, not hold back.
Jacqui talks about the crucial role leaders must play of challenging things, thinking, ideas.
26. EXPEDITION CATCH UP
Half way through three members of the Women Emerging Expedition share where their thinking is going, what they are discovering, what remains opaque or clouded for them and some of their hunches.
Aparna Uppaluri, Global Program, Gender Justice-International Program, Ford Foundation, Biography Katya Guryeva, Team Delivery Officer, Climate Solutions & Networks, C40 Cities, Biography Ana Luz Porzecanski, Conservation Biologist, Biography
Leadership Tips
Aparna and Anna Luz on privilege
Aparna on mothering and leadership
Katya on the link between spirituality and leadership
25. LEADERSHIP IN BOTSWANA - PART 2
Two more powerful women in Botswana describe how hard it is to be a woman leadership. And how each goes about being heard in a completely different way.
Joyce Wema Isa Molwane , Director Legal, Compliance & Board Secretary, , BOCRA, LinkedIn Pelonomi Venson Moitoi, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Botswana, Wikipedia
Leadership Tips
Pelonomi on leading from the front and coping with the resulting flak
Joyce on leading from the back without people noticing.
24. LEADERSHIP IN BOTSWANA - PART 1
In answer to the question “how do we make sure the approach to leadership resonates with women across the world?” Rebecca Binns replied that she loved the Women Emerging Expedition but that it not speak to her fully. It didn’t feel ‘like home’ So she took me home. To meet seven powerful women leaders in Botswana.
Priyanka Handa Ram , Founder & Chief Energy Officer, Learn To Play / Ithute Go Tshameka, LinkedIn Tebogo Matenge, BA(Hons) , International Tourism Management , LinkedIn Rosalind Kwinje, Editor In Chief, Woman to Woman magazine, LinkedIn Kelly Ramputswa, Station Manager, YARONA FM - Live The Music, LinkedIn Sharifa Noor, Executive Director,, Kgori Capital, LinkedIn Rebecca Binns, Trust Coordinator, Lady Khama Charitable Trust , LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Priyanka on leadership rooted in soil, nature and community. Resilience, change and interdependence.
Priyanka and Tibogo on the weaknesses of western leadership Kelly on not loosing yourself in your role or in the collectivity.
23. LEADERSHIP WITHIN FAITH - PART 2
Last week we captured leadership stories of women in Hindu and Christian texts. This week we capture more from Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish women in the sacred texts. Women have undoubtedly been leading forever.
Hatoon Alfassi ,Honorary Fellow of Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, The University of Manchester, LinkedIn Amany Lubis, Professor, UIN Jakarta, Wikipedia Ani Choying Drolma, Napalese Buddhist singer & Nun, Wikipedia Julia Neuberger, The Right Honourable Rabbi, Baroness Neuberger, DBE, Wikipedia
Leadership Tips
Hatoon is clear leaders “never ever give way to despair”
Ani calls for compassion, including compassion for men.
Amani tells us that great leaders “bring everyone into their kitchen”
Julia says “make brave decisions and get on with it”
22. LEADERSHIP WITHIN FAITH - PART 1
Women have been leading forever. And they have been influencing how women lead for centuries. Here we capture leadership stories of Christian and Hindu women in the sacred texts.
Dr. Meera Baindur ,Associate Professor , School Of Liberal Arts and Sciences, RV University, LinkedIn Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Meera reminds women leaders to say NO at the right times Meera powerfully illustrates the power of leaders asking questions as opposed to providing answers Terri tells leaders to “sit where people can find you, under your own tree”
21. TEENAGERS & LEADERSHIP
In answer to the question “how do we make sure the approach to leadership resonates with women of all ages across the world?” Seven seventeen year old students in Karachi Pakistan tell us what they think about leadership, good and bad.
Rania Mumtaz, A Level Student, Karachi Grammar School Wayna Ahmed, A Level Student, Cedar College Aymen Tamur, A Level Student, Nixor College Rija Ali Khan, A Level Student, Nixor College Eshal Fatima Haque, A Level Student, Nixor College Lailamah Giselle Khan, A Level Student, Nixor College, LinkedIn Marya Zulfiqar, A Level Student, Nixor College
Leadership Tips
20. WOMEN EMERGING EXPEDITION CHECK POINT 1
Expedition members talk about what they have learnt so far. What has sent them into a whirlwind of confusion. What has settled some issues in their minds.
Mona Sinha, Global Executive director, Equality Now / Board Chair, Women Moving Millions & ERA FFWE / Executive Producer, Disclosure, Biography Laura Fleming, Business Development Director , Hydrogen – Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Biography Isata Kabia, Founding Director, Voice of Women Africa, Biography Yvette Hopkins, Senior Executive Leader & Keynote Speaker, Biography Katya Guryeva, Team Delivery Officer, Climate Solutions & Networks, C40 Cities, Biography Ana Luz Porzecanski, Conservation Biologist, Biography Vidya Shah, Executive Chairperson, EdelGive Foundation, Biography Alia Whitney Johnson, Co-Founder, Freedom Forward / Founder, Emerge Lanka Foundation, Biography Anna Kuk, Director, Son Organique/ Artistic Director, ReVerb Ensemble , LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Vidya on a fine balance between assertion and nurturing Mona on pinches of exuberance, visibility and humility Isata on leading a fight Alia of the role of play in leadership
19. LEADERSHIP OUTSIDE OF WORK
Leadership lessons of self awareness from yoga and relationship awareness from rugby.
Kelly McCallum ,Lecturer, AUT/Northtec Sport & Recreation, LinkedIn Alison Coburn, Chief Executive, Common Purpose International, Common Purpose , LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Alison on leadership learnt from yoga: self awareness, basics in place, thinking about leadership, pushing and covering yourself, prioritising.
Kelly on leadership learnt from team sports: relationship awareness, communicating positive emotions, collective instincts yet standing out, trust.
18. HAPPINESS IN LEADERSHIP
Leading yourself first and making yourself happy by making someone else happy.
Ani Choying Drolma, Napalese Buddhist singer & Nun, Wikipedia Harriet Adong, Executive Director, Foundation for Integrated Rural Development, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Ani on making yourself happy by making someone else happy.
Ani on the importance of a leader’s smile.
Harriet on why you cannot afford to cry.
17. ZEITGEIST PART 3 - THE HUNGER GAMES
Setting people off against each other so that they fight each other rather than the system. Cleaver, manipulative, brutal, dystopian. Possibly more of a reflection of the times than we care to admit.
Sarah Henry, President, Global Center for Gender Equality, Biography Paula Alvarez Vaccaro, Founder & Company Co- Director, Pinball London, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Sarah and Paula on shifting away from the toxic hunger games culture of leadership
16. ZEITGEIST PART 2 - ANGRY YOUNG WOMEN
How to respond to “Why are you so angry?” And “Don't be so emotional”. And how to use anger strategically.
Megha Harish, Communications’ Manager, Common Purpose, LinkedIn Asifa Hassan, Founder & CEO, She Matters Project, LinkedIn Hila Davies, Community Strategist, Take Action Global , LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Megha, Asifa and Hila on inclusive no longer being a word that is fit for purpose, rejecting words like sorry and just wanting respect.
Megha Asifa and Hila asking older women to be more urgent, to share their anger rather than trying to sanitise it.
15. ILLIBERAL DEMOCRACY
The first of four episodes on the zeitgesist as the Expedition progresses. Starting with a call for a new theory of elites.
Nicole Anne Boyer,Partner, NOW partners, Managing Director, Adaptive Edge, LinkedIn Lee Sue Ann , Senior Fellow, Regional Social and Cultural Studies / Programme Co-coordinator, Indonesia Studies Programme in ISEAS, Yusof Isaak Institute
Leadership Tips
Sue Ann on the dangers of a photo opportunity.
Sue Ann and Nicole on a new theory of elites Nicole on swings, that produce counter swings, that produce cancel culture.
14. A HUMAN APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP
How leadership is changing fast in the work place.
Bin Wolfe , Global Deputy Talent, EY, LinkedIn Paula Marra , Founder & CEO, Matriarca, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Paula on leading collaborations. Especially with indigenous communities. The need to stop asking questions and instead listen. The need to align on vision rather than values.
Bin on not losing one of the most exciting shifts caused by Covid (when the entire world went into lockdown), the humanising of leadership.
13. TABLES TURN
Julia Middleton grilled by an x colleague on her leadership. Amy Stillman interviews Julia Middleton.
Amy Stillman , Chief Communications Officer, The Global Impact Investing Network, LinkedIn Julia Middleton, Founder Women Emerging & Common Purpose, Biography
Leadership Tips
Julia listening and learning from everyone and then deciding Julia on CulturalIntelligence and the need to Flex.
12. EXPEDITION LAUNCH
Celebrating the start of the Expedition. In the huge women’s empowerment jigsaw the Expedition is only a tiny piece. But a critical one.
Jude Kelly ,Founder & Director, The WOW Foundation, LinkedIn Deepali Khanna, Vice President, The Rockefeller Foundation, LinkedIn
Leadership Tips
Jude on empathy without sentimentality and on knowing you have to ‘perform’ leadership and create an energy zone.
Jude also on the importance of the imposter syndrome
11. IS A WOMAN ONLY GROUP ANTI-INCLUSIVE AND HOW IMPORTANT IS WELL - BEING WITHIN LEADERSHIP?
Members of the Expedition who almost didn’t join us explain why.
Laura Fleming, Business Development Director , Hydrogen – Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Biography Katrina Webb, Paralympic athlete, Biography Aparna Uppaluri, Global Program, Gender Justice-International Program, Ford Foundation, Biography
Leadership Tips
Katrina on running out of energy and self care, dumping the super woman outfit.
Aparna on women finding their power not from marginalisation but from within ourselves.
10. LEADERSHIP STORIES FROM - FROM WOMEN ACCROSS THE WORLD.
Leadership stories good and bad. To do with courage in leadership and the imposter syndrome.
Rouba Mhaissen, Founder and Director, Sawa Foundation, Biography Erica Su, Head of Strategy and Transactions Practice, EY, Biography Folawe Omikunle, CEO, Teach4Nigeria, Biography
Leadership Tips
Erica on saying no. It’s not self limiting, it’s self defining.
Rouba on stepping up to leadership even if you dont feel like one.
Folawe on leading with love.
9. RENAISSANCE LEADERSHIP
Leaders who reject binary choices whether its what they do with their lives, or who they chose to be or how they choose to lead.
Fatima Zibouh, Expert/Analyst on Diversity, Inclusion and Discrimination Researcher, Social and Political Science, Biography Andini Makosinski, Inventor & Writer, Biography
Leadership Tips
Nothing to add. Except that I am proud to be one of the women who will go ahead with Fatima.
Fatima on letting go and saying “I am who I am”
Andini on ‘don’t let people put you in a box’, leaders need to be curious.
8. SYSTEMS THINKING & LEADERSHIP
How three women leaders use their white boards.
Sarah Henry, President, Global Center for Gender Equality, Biography Alia Whitney Johnson, Co-Founder, Freedom Forward / Founder, Emerge Lanka Foundation, Biography Melissa Kwee, Co - Creator / General Worker, NVPC ~ City of Good, Biography
Leadership Tips
Sarah says it not just being better leaders but equally changing the system in which we lead.
Alia talks about how she changed a system
Melissa explains her principle ‘the quality of the intervention correlates with the quality of the inner life of the intervener’
7. HOW IMPORTANT IS LISTENING WITHIN LEADERSHIP
Is leadership is very hard and very simple?
Selvie Jusman, Finance Professional, Biography Liz Bloomfield, Executive Director, Ripple Effect Images, Biography Uma Chatterjee, Mental Health Advocate, Leadership Mentor, Resilience Practitioner / Founder-Director, Sanjog India, Biography
Leadership Tips
Liz sees the ability to listen and listen hard as a crucial key to leadership. And when sometimes people say they don’t have the time to listen because everything is urgent she replies “that’s the moment to double down on listening, even if it’s for a few minutes”.
Uma on how self awareness is a double edged sword. And how leadership doesnt have to be lonely.
6. WHAT DOES WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES LOOK LIKE?
Women Emerging before the Expedition, some favourite interviews.
Harriet Adong, Executive Director, Foundation for Integrated Rural Development, LinkedIn Saba Al Mubaslat, Regional Director- MENA, Ford Foundation, LinkedIn Sina Wendt, Consultant, Leadership Strategy & Governance, LinkedIn Katja Weisheit, Private Donation Coordinator,, Turtle Foundation Chulu Chansa Founder, Africana Woman, LinkedIn Erum Khalid Sattar,Program Director and Lecturer, Sustainable Water Management program, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and Institute of the Environment, Tufts University, LinkedIn Victoria Cordoba
Leadership Tips
Chulu on how leaders should at least take the time to learn peoples names.
Saba, Victoria, Katya on recognising the effects that isolation has on you as a leader.
5. DISRUPTING LEADERSHIP - A MASTERCLASS IS DISRUPTION
Why leaders create and build but must also disrupt.
Katya Guryeva, Team Delivery Officer, Climate Solutions & Networks, C40 Cities, Biography Lissa Young,Associate Professor of Leadership and Management, United States Military Academy, LinkedIn Camila Pontual, Deputy Coordinator for International and Cooperation, City of Rio de Janeiro, Biography
Leadership Tips
Lissa thinks it is best to lead change from the inside where you have the chance of being heard. Rather than the outside. But says the two groups are most effective when they work together.
4. WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP - ARE WE ALLOWED TO BE ANGRY?
Insight into why we need an Expedition and just how angry women are.
Isata Kabia, Founding Director, Voice of Women Africa, Biography Dr. Ayesha Mian, Founder and CEO of Synapse, Pakistan Neuroscience Institute, Biography
Leadership Tips
Isata on being a female political leader
Ayesha on the differences between leadership in the global north and global south.
3. WHO IS GOING IN THE EXPEDITION?
2. HOW WILL THE EXPEDITION WORK?
Expedition disasters and dead ends to avoid.
Mona Sinha, Global Executive director, Equality Now / Board Chair, Women Moving Millions & ERA FFWE / Executive Producer, Disclosure, Biography Ana Luz Porzecanski, Conservation Biologist, Biography
Leadership Tips
Ana Luz advice on how to lead an Expedition.