In this episode, Katrina is joined by internationally renowned leadership thinker and changemaker Julia Middleton. From founding Common Purpose, a global nonprofit that’s transformed leadership in over 100 countries, to launching the Women Emerging movement, Julia’s work continues to challenge norms and redefine what it means to lead.

Julia shares the personal stories and hard-won insights that have shaped her leadership philosophy, from raising five children while building a global organisation, to championing cultural intelligence and the power of “leading beyond authority.” With wisdom, humour, and fierce authenticity, Julia invites us all to show up fully, challenge outdated notions of professionalism, and lead in a way that is deeply true to ourselves.

Key Takeaways

• Core and Flex: How understanding what’s at your core - and what you’re willing to flex - can help you navigate difference and lead more effectively
• Leading without authority: Why the most powerful leadership often happens outside of formal roles or titles, and how to influence across boundaries
• Emulsifying diverse groups: Why the best leaders act as emulsifiers, bringing together people who are wildly different and making the whole stronger
• Cultural intelligence (CQ): Why it’s more vital than ever to develop the ability to work with people who are not like you and how it starts with self-awareness
• Redefining professional: How motherhood, faith, body image and vulnerability can and should be part of how we lead, not hidden away

Quotes to Remember

“Leading is hard. You live with your mistakes—and others suffer from them. But the rewards are immense.”
 “You can't ask people to let you lead them if you won't tell them who you are.”
 “Colliding cores isn’t something to fear - it’s where the energy and the change begins.”
 “You can lead in heels, or you can lead in flats. What matters is showing up with your whole self.”

Connect with Julia Middleton

Women Emerging: A global movement helping women lead in ways that are true to themselves

Website: womenemerging.org

Instagram: women.emerging

LinkedIn: @Women-Emerging

Podcast: The Women Emerging Podcast

Common Purpose: Developing leaders who can cross boundaries
Website: commonpurpose.org

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