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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Uthara Narayanan about the nuances of leading with both wit and wisdom. They delve into the challenges leaders face when they find themselves entrenched in their positions and explore strategies to navigate such situations effectively.

Uthara emphasises the importance of self-awareness and the ability to step back, allowing leaders to reassess and adapt their approaches. She highlights how integrating humour and insight can facilitate more authentic and effective leadership. This dialogue sheds light on the delicate balance between steadfastness and flexibility in leadership roles.

Tune in to discover how embracing both wit and wisdom can transform your leadership style and enhance your team’s cohesion and performance.

About the Guests

Uthara Narayanan

Uthara Narayanan is a social entrepreneur dedicated to empowering women through financial literacy and leadership development. As the Chief Changemaker at Buzz Women and Director at Avantika Foundation, she has been instrumental in reshaping the way women perceive their roles in society. Uthara is also an Acumen Fellow, reflecting her commitment to social impact and change.

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.