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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia with our guest Kelly McCallum explore the dynamic interplay between individual and collective energy in leadership. Kelly breaks down how leaders can cultivate emotional intelligence, harness team members’ unique strengths, and foster a balanced, high-performing team environment.

Kelly challenges traditional leadership models and offers a fresh perspective—what if the key to effective leadership lies not in choosing between individualism and collectivism, but in embracing both?

She shares insights on building synergy within teams, using emotional intelligence as a leadership superpower, and creating a culture where personal strengths contribute to a greater whole.

A compelling conversation that will shift the way you think about leadership, teamwork, and the energy that drives success.

About the Guests

Kelly McCallum

Kelly McCallum is a leadership expert, educator, and former elite athlete. Currently pursuing a PhD at Auckland University of Technology, her research focuses on emotional intelligence in sports leadership. A two-time Rugby World Cup player for Canada and the first female rugby inductee into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, Kelly brings a wealth of experience in high-performance environments. She is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator, specializing in emotional intelligence and leadership development.

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.