What does it take to lead a global movement with a team of just 15 to 20 people? Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, joins Mark Francis to unpack the art of influencing without authority across governments, multilateral institutions, industry giants, and philanthropic funders spanning every continent. From her early days as a press officer to five years in the European Parliament and senior roles in solar policy across Europe, Sonia brings rare depth to a conversation about leadership at the highest level of global diplomacy.
The Global Solar Council's mission is to deploy 8 terawatts of solar PV roughly 25 billion solar panels  by the end of this decade. Solar is now the fastest and cheapest growing source of electricity in the history of civilization, with 80% of all new electricity generation capacity added to the global grid last year coming from solar. Sonia explains how a small, highly motivated team drives change at that scale: through shuttle diplomacy, radical delegation, strategic task forces in 190 political capitals, and media influence that ensures the solar industry speaks with one voice to the world.

Key takeaways:
Influencing stakeholders who don't have to listen to you requires building long-term relationships grounded in mutual interest, not authority
Delegate everything that doesn't have to be you being a bottleneck kills momentum in a small, high-impact team
Done is better than perfect: trust your people and resist the urge to micromanage
Get media training especially if you're a woman; there is specific, valuable training for how women come across in interviews and public speaking
Three theories of change: industry task forces, building national and regional association capacity, and strategic media presence
Solar's growth is now driven by pure economics, not climate politics — it is simply the cheapest electricity ever produced
A clear 10-year business plan with outcome-based KPIs is non-negotiable, even for not-for-profits
The biggest macro challenge is adapting strategy to a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape while staying politically neutral across all 190 countries
Inspiring people around a shared mission is the core competency for any trade association leader
Energy security and national security are now part of the solar story a powerful message in an increasingly tense world

Connect with Sonia Dunlop:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sonia-dunlop-62868354
Website: globalsolarcouncil.org
To learn more about the Global Solar Council and the solar and battery storage revolution, visit globalsolarcouncil.org.

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– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

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Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.

If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.