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Episode Description

In this episode of the Women Emerging Podcast, host Julia Middleton explores the art of having difficult conversations as a leader. She is joined by two distinguished guests, Dr. Monica Medina and Karen Lord, who bring their expertise in leadership, communication, and organizational development to the discussion.

Dr. Medina delves into the importance of fostering open dialogue within teams and how leaders can navigate challenging discussions with confidence and empathy. She shares strategies for building trust, addressing conflicts constructively, and ensuring that difficult conversations lead to positive outcomes rather than division.

Karen Lord, an experienced leader in education and policy, brings her perspective on how communication shapes leadership effectiveness. She highlights the role of active listening, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness in managing complex conversations. Drawing from her extensive background, she offers practical insights on handling disagreements while maintaining team cohesion.

Through their engaging conversation, Julia, Monica, and Karen provide invaluable lessons on the power of communication in leadership. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their ability to navigate tough discussions with clarity and impact.

About the Guests

Dr. Monica Medina

Dr. Monica Medina is a literacy consultant for International & US Schools alongwith a seasoned educator and leadership expert dedicated to fostering inclusive and effective communication strategies. With a strong background in organizational development and higher education, she has worked extensively to support leaders in navigating complex workplace dynamics.

Karen Lord

Karen Lord is an enterpreneurial publisher and author, currently associated with Kadelo Group Limited. She is an accomplished leader in education and policy, known for her expertise in shaping effective leadership practices. She has contributed significantly to the field through her work in academic institutions and policy development, emphasizing the importance of communication and leadership.

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.