In this first part of The Shape of Distance, host Elaine Herdman-Barker, chats to Steadman Harrison, president and founder of Lead Beyond about how distance - geographical, cultural and historical - can shape how we approach leadership. We all know that difference can lead to misunderstandings. We ask, what does it take for us to approach unfamiliarity with greater curiosity? And allow it to actually broaden our worldviews?

Steadman Harrison is president and founder of Lead Beyond. He was born and raised in America, and has made Africa his home for the last 20 years. He's a passionate advocate for the democratization of leader development and in the conversation, reflects on what he's learned from working in Africa and what Africa can teach us all.

Read our accompanying article here and Steadman's bio here.

For more information on Lead Beyond, please visit the Lead Beyond website here and their Linkedin page here.

Leaning into Hope for Ourselves and Society

Is there more to life than money? Have we built ourselves provisional personalities? What does it mean to be a whole person in society and what are the obligations we face? Elaine Herdman Barker, Co-founder of Global Leadership Associates, speaks with Valerie Brown, Co-Director of Georgetown’s Institute for Transformational Leadership, to address these questions. Together, they discuss her book, Hope Leans Forward, and how we might build upon our innate sense of belonging and connection, think for future generations, and leverage the strength of BIPOC people.

Read our accompanying article here and Valerie's bio here.

What is it to be a convener of people? Where do leaders find meaning in it all? Is there still room to talk about the place of character? Mark Leishman worked in the private office of the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles. His grandfather was Lord Reith, founder of the British Broadcasting Corporation. Today, Mark is executive director of the Royal Warrant Holders Association. He speaks with Elaine Herdman-Barker, Co-Founder of Global Leadership Associates, to talk about his proximity to power and what he’s learnt on the way.

Read our accompanying article to the episode HERE.

And read Mark's bio HERE.