What Happens When Women Redefine Leadership 

Much of the conversation around women in leadership focuses on helping women navigate existing systems. But what if the real opportunity lies in questioning the assumptions those systems were built on? 

“A Women’s power comes from inside of them. It’s the oppression that sits on the outside.” — Aparna Uppaluri 

In this conversation, Julia Middleton, founder of Women Emerging, speaks with Laura Fleming, Katrina Webb and Aparna Uppaluri about the beliefs that shape how women think about leadership. Together, they explore what happens when those assumptions are challenged—and what a different approach to leading might make possible. 

1. Women Need to Stop Trying to Fit the Existing Leadership Mould 

For decades, success in many organisations has meant adapting to environments shaped by traditionally masculine ideas of leadership. Women often feel pressure to become more assertive, more certain, more competitive or simply more like everyone already at the top. 

Laura Fleming reflects on this experience, observing that “maybe even as women start behaving a bit like men and start taking over those traits… it’s only going to get me so far.” 

Instead, she argues that leadership becomes more powerful when women stop trying to imitate and begin contributing from their own strengths. 

“I can show up as who I am and what I bring in order to really come to my full potential.” 

Laura also introduces the idea of ‘sketching’ – sharing ideas while they’re still taking shape rather than waiting for them to feel complete. 

Rather than waiting until every answer is complete, Laura describes the practice of sketching—putting forward unfinished ideas and inviting others into the thinking process. 

“I don’t know, and I don’t have all the answers, but I’m asking you to help and share your ideas. Let’s put it together and see where we go.” 

Instead of diminishing credibility, vulnerability creates collaboration. Leadership becomes less about projecting certainty and more about building collective intelligence. 

2. The Superwoman Myth Is Costing Women Their Well-Being 

While Laura challenges external expectations of leadership, Katrina Webb focuses on the expectations women place upon themselves. 

As a Paralympic gold medallist, Webb understands performance at the highest level. Yet she warns that many women are still trying to become “Superwoman” that is, successful professionals, perfect mothers, devoted partners, supportive friends and endlessly available caregivers, all at once. She recalls feeling pressure to be “trying to do everything, can be everything, with a beautiful smile on my face.” The result is a culture where resilience is celebrated while exhaustion quietly becomes the price of success. 

One lesson from elite sport transformed her thinking. During an especially demanding period, her psychologist gave her a piece of advice she has never forgotten. 

“There is no way you could win gold… because you’re performing at a silver level in every aspect of your life.” 

The insight is profound. Excellence isn’t achieved by giving everything equal attention. It comes from consciously deciding what deserves your highest energy—and accepting that something else may need to wait. 

Katrina argues that wellbeing is not separate from leadership—it is a leadership responsibility. Many women instinctively nurture everyone around them while neglecting themselves. She encourages a reversal of that instinct by “mothering ourselves” with the same compassion we extend to others, moving beyond basic self-maintenance towards finding genuine “soul food”—the practices that restore energy, purpose and joy. Leadership cannot be sustained if the person leading is constantly depleted. 

3. Discovering the ‘Cradle of Power’ 

If Laura Fleming redefines how we lead and Katrina Webb reminds us why we must protect ourselves, Aparna Uppaluri asks an even deeper question: what is the true source of women’s power? 

She challenges the idea that women’s leadership should always be defined in opposition to existing power structures or measured against traditionally masculine ideas of success. 

Instead of beginning with oppression, she asks a far more fundamental question: 

“Do we always have to arrive at our power from powerlessness?” 

Her answer is no. She suggests that women already possess a deep source of authority that exists independently of titles, recognition or external validation. Leadership, then, becomes an expression of that inner strength rather than a reaction to external barriers. 

As she explains: 

“Women’s power comes from inside of them. It’s the oppression that sits on the outside.” 

This represents a subtle but powerful shift. Instead of constantly reacting to the obstacles around them, women can lead from an internal sense of confidence that no organisation or circumstance can take away. 

A Different Definition of Leadership 

Taken together, the reflections from Laura Fleming, Katrina Webb and Aparna Uppaluri point towards a different vision of leadership. Leadership isn’t about becoming harder, louder or more perfect. It’s about bringing your strengths into the room, having the courage to admit you don’t have all the answers, protecting your own wellbeing with the same commitment you show others, and recognising that your deepest source of power already exists within you. 

About the Author

Kavya Misra is a writer and producer with a background in theatre, films and digital content. Her master’s in English literature forms the foundation for all her creative and corporate projects. In addition to this, Kavya has an extensive background in theatre. She has written and produced plays. She has also performed at festivals like Bharat Rang Mahotsav by National School of Drama, India and International Theatre Festival of Kerala, India.