In this compelling episode, Rosie Wheen sits down with the formidable Julia Banks—author, leadership consultant, keynote speaker, lawyer, former Federal Government MP, and former Federal Independent MP. Julia opens up about her personal and professional journey, from her mother’s influence on her fight for gender equality to navigating the highest levels of corporate and political power in Australia.
With warmth and candour, Julia shares deeply personal moments that shaped her values, including the promise she made to her newborn daughter to fight for equal rights, and her powerful resignation from the Liberal Party. Her reflections on personal versus positional power, the insidious nature of workplace harassment, and the importance of integrity in leadership are insightful and galvanizing.
What You’ll Learn:
The difference between positional and personal power— how to understand it better and why the latter is essential
How gendered stereotypes still shape workplace dynamics, leadership narratives, and our internal narratives and critiques
The critical importance of the Respect@Work legislation—and why implementation must be intentional, and why we must continue to push for action
What boards and executives can do to embed safe, inclusive cultures in their organizations.
How to recognize invisible harassment and the risks of expecting women to carry the burden of "calling it out."
Resources Mentioned:
Power Play by Julia Banks
Julia Banks’ resignation speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjIjm4RkEKY
