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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia discusses on how Education shapes the way we lead with Isata Kabia. Isata reflects on her own journey, recalling how, at just twelve years old, she led a movement to change her school uniform. That moment ignited a lifelong understanding of leadership—the knowledge that once you have experienced it, it stays with you.

The conversation challenges leaders to reflect on their own education. Were they encouraged to question? Have they become comfortable with being questioned? Isata argues that if the answer to either is no, it has deeply shaped the way they lead. Julia expands on the impact of informal education, particularly the years young girls spend being told to be quiet. She explores the habits women leaders must unlearn in order to be heard.

This episode invites us to reconsider how education—both formal and informal—forms the foundation of leadership and continues to influence how we step into positions of power.

About the Guests

Isata Kabia

Isata Kabia is a Sierra Leonean politician, social entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s rights. She has served as Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Passionate about education and leadership development, Isata has worked extensively to create opportunities for young people, particularly girls, to find their voices and take up leadership roles.

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.