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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia Middleton is joined by Julia Prescot to delve into the nuanced art of leading partnerships. Partnerships- whether in business, government, or social impact; demand a distinctive leadership approach, one that blends strategic vision with adaptability, trust-building, and the ability to align diverse interests.

Drawing from her extensive experience, Julia shares deeply personal insights into what it takes to forge and sustain successful partnerships. She reflects on the delicate balance between structure and flexibility, the importance of navigating power dynamics with integrity, and how leaders can foster resilience in long-term collaborations. With first-hand stories from high-stakes negotiations and cross-sector projects, she reveals the leadership qualities that make partnerships thrive- patience, clarity, and a relentless commitment to shared purpose.

This episode is essential to understand how to master the complexities of partnership-building, offering both practical wisdom and a fresh perspective on collaborative leadership.

About the Guests

Julia Prescot

Julia Prescot is a pioneering leader in infrastructure investment, known for her ability to navigate complex partnerships with precision and foresight. As Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Meridiam, she has played a crucial role in shaping sustainable infrastructure projects across the globe. With a career spanning decades in finance, policy, and advisory roles, Julia has developed a reputation for forging high-impact collaborations that drive long-term change. She serves on multiple boards and advisory groups, bringing her expertise to transformative initiatives that bridge the public and private sectors.

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.