Julia Middleton's thoughts on leadership

I am very interested in the expression “earned leadership”. Leaders earn the right to lead because they do or are – what? Of course the expression “earn” implies something important. That people do not become leaders (other than in title) simply by being appointed – whatever the method of appointment. They have to earn it [...]

[Read more →]

So when should a leader grow up? And what does growing up look like? I pose this question because, when I sign off letters and emails to people I care about, I do so with a ‘love Julia’. I always have. People I care about are people I know well and some that I know [...]

[Read more →]

So the first of the great televised debates for the top political job in the UK takes place tonight, and I am wondering which lens we should all be watching it through… Shall we focus on what these three men have to say on policy? Or the issues? Or will we scrutinise their competency? Or [...]

[Read more →]

On a recent trip to the US, I don’t think I met anyone who did not use the word authentic in some way. ‘Authentic’ was coupled with loads of words – “authentic leaders”, “authentic brands”, “authentic messages”, “authentic ideas”… It raises the question of what purpose ‘authentic’ serves in such pairings. And more than this, other [...]

[Read more →]