n this episode of the Women Emerging Podcast, Julia Middleton sits down with Smahane, Expedition Leader of the first Women Emerging city expedition, held in Brussels, to reflect on what it took to lead 20-plus women leaders through months of uncertainty — and what came out the other side.

Smahane and Julia trace three threads from the pilot: leadership as the generation of energy, and how very different energies — calm, loud, intellectual, embodied — found their place around one table; the idea that expeditions build bridges, illustrated when two explorers who would likely never have connected in ordinary life ended up building something real together; and the discipline of leading without knowing exactly where you’re going — moving forward, as Smahane puts it, with far less than the “80% of the information” she was once told a leader needs.

They also talk about “corporate coats” — the armour that falls away once women stop performing leadership and start doing it — and why, in the end, the biggest lesson of the expedition wasn’t a target or an output, but trusting that the right people, brought together, will always exceed what any single plan could achieve.

A candid conversation about energy, trust and the courage to lead into the unknown.

About the Guest:

Smahane Lamassab is a seasoned human resources professional with extensive experience in employee relations and organisational development. Her career has been dedicated to fostering positive workplace environments and guiding leaders through complex HR processes. Smahane is committed to promoting fair and respectful practices in all aspects of employment.