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Episode Description

In this episode of the Women Emerging Podcast, the focus is on the intersection of leadership and language. Julia speaks with 11 women from diverse backgrounds who translate the expedition’s working definition of leadership into their native languages. This episode delves into how the act of translation reveals the cultural, historical, and emotional layers embedded in language and how these influence the concept of leadership.
“Leadership is catalyzing people’s talent, ideas, and actions with purpose and momentum to reach goals and realize a shared vision.”
This captures the central theme of leadership, its translation across cultures, and the layered significance of language in shaping leadership perspectives. Each guest shares insights from their own linguistic and cultural perspectives, demonstrating how their unique journeys have shaped their understanding of leadership. For example, Ana Luz, a scientist, reflects on the metaphorical and literal meaning of catalysis in her work, connecting it to the role of leaders in accelerating collective progress while reducing barriers to action.
Listeners will learn how language shapes leadership, discover a new outlook on communicating effectively across cultures, and reflect on their own approaches to leading in diverse contexts. The episode highlights how language empowers and sometimes disempowers, offering a fresh perspective on global leadership, emphasizing the beauty of diversity in expression and reminds us to lead with purpose, inclusivity, and deep cultural awareness.

About the Guests

Selvie Jusman

Selvie Jusman is a finance professional passionate about women’s empowerment and workplace inclusivity, inspired by her involvement with the Women Business Alliance. Born in Indonesia and now based in Singapore, she speaks English, Bahasa Indonesia, and conversational Mandarin. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with loved ones.

Uma Chatterjee

Uma Chatterjee is a social justice advocate and founder of organizations like Sanjog and Change Mantras, focusing on empowering survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking. With over a decade of work supporting marginalized communities in India, she emphasizes healing through shared vulnerability and collective support. Known for her compassionate leadership, Uma navigates complex issues of identity, gender, and sexuality to inspire meaningful reflection and action.

Isata Bussoh Kabia

Isata Bussoh Kabia is a Sierra Leonean politician with the All People’s Congress party, known for her leadership roles in the national parliament, Pan African Parliament, and as a government minister. A biochemistry graduate with an MBA from the University of Milan, she has championed causes like women’s rights and diaspora engagement, gaining nearly 90% of the vote in her 2012 parliamentary election. Kabia is also an Amujae Leader supported by the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Foundation and is recognized for her advocacy, including proposing a Safe Abortion Bill and contributing to constitutional reforms.

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.