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In this episode of the woman emerging podcast, Julia is Joined by Puri, a scientist, whose deep love for nature has shaped the way she leads. As Puri sees it, in nature and leading, the system will fuction so long as Energy is allowed to flow freely. The moment there is a blockage in the flow of Energy, a problem arises. As human beings, we seem to be of the opinion that we must compete in this world to get ahead, however Puri makes a pointed observation that most of what plays out in nature is an act of collaboration not competition as we have been made to believe. To lead, is not about being the best at everything, instead it is about being good enough. And, what one needs to cultivate is the ability to bring people together and hold them. How do you continue to stay curious as a leader? Why is it important? How does one learn to unblock energy and facilitate collaboration? How do we redefine and measure success that values collaboration and not competition?

About the Guests

Puri Canals

Purificació Canals has a BSc and a PhD in Biological Sciences from Barcelona University and works on marine and coastal conservation. She’s deeply involved in connecting people around the world to protect the ocean; first as President of MedPAN (2009-2024) and currently, as coordinator of the Global Network of MPA Manager Networks (The Ocean Foundation & Blue Nature Alliance). She’s also the Institutional Relations Director at Underwater Gardens International S.L. a company focused on marine restoration.

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.