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Episode Description:

In this episode, Julia is joined by Ana Luz Porzecanski to explore Nature as a guide for leadership. They reflect on how the natural world offers lessons in adaptability, resilience, and interconnectedness, shaping the way we lead and navigate change.

Ana Luz shares insights on how observing nature can inspire leaders to embrace uncertainty and think beyond rigid structures. She explains how ecosystems thrive through collaboration and balance, mirroring the qualities of strong leadership. The discussion highlights the importance of reconnecting with the natural world- not just as a source of inspiration but as a model for decision-making, problem-solving, and sustaining leadership that is both responsive and enduring.

This episode invites us to step outside the artificial confines of leadership and look to nature for wisdom that is both ancient and deeply relevant today.

About the Guests

Ana Luz Porzecanski

Ana Luz Porzecanski is a conservation scientist and the Director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History. Her work focuses on biodiversity, sustainability, and the role of science in shaping conservation policy. With a background in evolutionary biology and extensive experience in field research, she bridges the gap between science and leadership, advocating for nature-inspired solutions to global challenges.

About the Host

Julia Middleton

Julia Middleton is the host of the Women Emerging podcast and a best-selling author of “If that’s leading, I’m in” as well as two previous books: “Leading beyond Authority” and “Cultural Intelligence”. She is deeply committed to helping people from all backgrounds to find their own approach to leading.

In 2020, Julia launched Women Emerging and in 2022 she lead an expedition of 24 women to find ‘an approach to leading that resonates with women’. She now leads expeditions with women all over the world based on 4Es methodology, discovered in the first expedition.

Prior to that, Julia was founder and, for over thirty years, Chief Executive of Common Purpose, which grew to become one of the biggest leadership development organisations in the world.
Julia is also an Ambassador for the Aurora Prize based in Armenia, on the boards of Alfanar Venture Philanthropy in the Arab World and Equality Now, which operates globally, and on the Advisory Councils of Fundacao Dom Cabral in Brazil and Synapse in Pakistan.

Born in London and brought up in New York, Julia was educated at French Lycées and graduated from the London School of Economics. She is married, with five children and lots of grandchildren.