180. Anita R. Ratnam on How to Lead Creative Teams

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In this episode of the How to Lead – 2025 Edition series which is focused on the practical realities of leading in today’s world, Julia speaks with Anita R. Ratnam, performer, choreographer, writer, and cultural commentator, about what it really takes to lead creative teams.

Anita explains why leading creative people starts with trust: trust in the team, trust in the process, and trust in yourself. She shares how to create the right kind of invitation by holding space for chaos, she talks about breaking away from the traditional hierarchy between teacher and student where one is on a pedestal and the other on the ground and instead, sitting together in a circle. She also believes in giving people time to settle in before work begins.

She also explores the specific challenges of creative leadership: managing vulnerability, navigating unpredictability, and knowing when to step in with structure and when to step back and let the magic happen.

Listen to this episode to discover how leading creative teams is less about control and more about creating space, trust, and enabling the conditions where something truly original can take shape.

About the Guest

Anita Ratnam
Dr. Anita Ratnam is a choreographer, performer, producer, speaker, mentor, Artpreneur and the pioneer of Neo Bharatam, a unique new dance style. Anita’s most notable works in her current repertoire are Naachiyaar Next (2019), A Million Sitas (2010), Ma3ka (2009), 7 Graces (2005), Faces (2007), Neelam (2006) and Andal Andal (2011)

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.