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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia Middleton is joined by Nandita Das as she shares what directing films has taught her about leading. As a director, Nandita explains the delicate balance between keeping your feet firmly planted in reality, working closely with teams across departments, while simultaneously carrying the vision of the bigger picture.

“When you’re leading large teams, you must be technically sound, but you also have to know how to manage people and their emotions,” says Nandita.

She reflects on the challenges of fostering a democratic atmosphere where every voice is heard while also having the confidence to make the final call. Leading can often feel lonely, but becoming comfortable with the voices in your head allows you to discern when to let go and when to stand firm in your convictions.

Listen to this episode for a behind-the-scenes look at how to lead diverse teams and bring out the full potential of a creative collaboration.

About the Guests

Nandita Das

Nandita Das is a critically acclaimed Actor, Director Writer and Activist from India.

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.