Julia Middleton
Alchemy topics
Leading Beyond Authority
Areas of expertise
- Giving leaders the skills, the connections and the vision they need to lead more effectively
- Pushing them to extend their influence – and take responsibility – beyond their own organisation, locality and culture, not just within it
- Inspiring leaders to effect real change, both at work and in the wider world
About the author
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 runs courses which give people the inspiration, skills and connections to become better leaders both at work and in society. Common Purpose now operates across the UK and worldwide in France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, the Netherlands and Turkey. Since 1989, more than 25,000 leaders have completed one or more Common Purpose courses.
Julia is the chair of the board of trustees of Alfanar (developing venture philanthropy in the Arab world), deputy chair of the Media Standards Trust (fostering high standards in the news media), a founding trustee of Demos (an independent think tank) and a former trustee of Impetus Trust (developing venture philanthropy in the UK).
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’.
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).
Publications
Beyond Authority: Leadership in a Changing World, was published in 2007 by Palgrave Macmillan. The book explores a different approach to leadership when leaders start to operate beyond their own spheres of control.
Website
