an interview with isata kabia

Written by Isata Kabia, Founding Director Voice of Women

1. Why is “an approach to leadership that resonates with women” needed?

This approach is needed because our world now is a global village in terms of the challenges facing us. Even though we may not see the leadership challenges in Iran or Sierra Leone as directly affecting us, we fully understand how climate change challenges are global, and how leadership in this aspect affects more than just your corner of the world. It’s therefore imperative that we source, harness and emphasise leadership that is multi-faceted, which focuses on non- linear impact, which prioritises diversity and inclusion, and which transcends borders.

This approach to leadership is what is needed to save our planet. It’s our responsibility to fast track its legitimacy both by practitioners as well as by those who make leadership choices, by way of elections and other processes.

2. Halfway through the Expedition what are you uncovering?

I’ve discovered that this approach, and its full recognition is needed at this time because if we as women who have lived around the globe are still debating on whether leadership is gendered (it’s not, but the approach is, and should be) then how do we expect people living in the margins to see it? This is our effort to register what a positive impact globally that such an approach has had; that even those most opposed to it have felt the difference once they are able to experience it; and that this approach is not just something that women do, but that men who also lead through this lens are by enlarge better leaders because of it.

To read more about Isata, click here