Julia Middleton is the Founder and Chief Executive of Common Purpose. She is a passionate campaigner for more – and more diverse – leaders who are active in civil society.
In the autumn of 1988, Julia formed Common Purpose, a leadership development organisation that gives leaders the inspiration, the knowledge and the connections they need to produce real change. Common Purpose now operates across the UK and worldwide in France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Ireland, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Turkey. Since 1989, more than 25,000 leaders have completed one or more Common Purpose courses and the impact of their experience and the course they take part in, can be seen in the changes they make in their organisations, communities and in wider society.
In 2007, her book, Beyond Authority: Leadership in a Changing World, was published by Palgrave Macmillan. The book explores a different approach to leadership when leaders start to operate beyond their own spheres of control.
Julia has founded or helped in the founding of: Demos (an independent think tank), Impetus Trust ( developing venture philanthropy in the UK), The Media Standards Trust ( fostering high standards in the news media), The Good Governance Network (supporting those involved in governance), and Alfanar (developing venture philanthropy in the Arab world). She is also on the Advisory Group of the Oxford Business School.
Julia was born in London and educated at French Lycees in the UK, France and the US. She worked for the Industrial Society after receiving an economics degree from the London School of Economics. She is married and has five children.
In his book The New Alchemists, Charles Handy said of her:
“How Julia came to be the force she is, the values she holds and the way she applies them, contains messages for many who dream of making the difference she has done”.
4 responses so far ↓
1 J Baker // May 14, 2009 at 19:03
Hello Julia I hope you are well.
Could you please explain to me just what “when leaders start to operate beyond their own spheres of control” means in real terms?
Is this when ‘leaders’ stick their noses in other peoples business ? Or does it entail using political correctness coupled with ’sneer & smear’ tactics to bully & manipulate people?
Also I have noted with interest that you are a registered charity. How do you justify this?
2 Julia Middleton // May 21, 2009 at 13:02
Leading Beyond Authority means that if you have a role in an organisation then you will have a certain amount of authority to fulfil that role and to ensure that you are able to do your job. If you lead beyond your authority it simply means that effectively you go ‘the extra mile’ by doing a bit more than that. It does not mean that you defy authority, or interfere in other people’s business and it is certainly nothing to do with bullying or manipulation. Anyone using bullying and manipulation is neither a good nor effective leader. Good leadership requires partnership.
With regard to your query on our charitable status, I refer you to an extract of a letter from the Charity Commission from June 2008:
“Why is Common Purpose entitled to charitable status?
In answer to this question in order to be charitable in law, an organisation must be set up:
• for a purpose which is charitable in law; and
• for the benefit of the public generally
We also refer enquirers to Common Purpose’s charitable objects as they appear on the public register of charities.
How is common purpose accountable to the public?
As a registered charity with income of more than £5 million a year, Common Purpose is required to submit its accounts annually to the Commission and we publish these on our website so that the public can see them. Charities with income of more than £1 million a year are also required to submit a summary information return, which sets out key information about the charity’s aims, activities and achievements, and again we publish these on our website. We have provided enquirers with a link to Common Purpose’s entry on our register, where this information can be found.”
3 Nicola Menicacci // Aug 12, 2009 at 10:55
Hi Julia,
I really like your website. I have added it in my blogroll which you can easily see at http://chitham.com/englishblog/
If you want to link back, I’d really appreciate.
Thanks and have a great day,
Nicola Menicacci
n.menicacci@chitham.com
Twitter: Chitham_en
Personal Twitter: nicolamenicacci
4 Lucas Lin // Apr 12, 2010 at 14:17
Hi Julia,
Awesome site!
Really impressed with your discussion!
I’m adding your site to my blogroll!
If you choose to link back, I’d be Glad.
Cheers,
Lucas
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