Future Shapers: Empowering Strengths through Trust-Based Leadership

BRG Associate Director Nancy Cherashore and Natalia Zibibbo, counsel at Freshfields, discuss leadership while reflecting on Richard Adams’ novel Watership Down, which highlights the power of empathy, trust, and collaboration in guiding teams. They examine how leadership—framed by the journey of Hazel, a reluctant yet effective leader—is often defined by emotional intelligence and the ability to empower others, rather than formal authority.

Their conversation reflects on the results of inclusive, trust-based leadership against more authoritarian styles. Both Nancy and Natalia emphasize that effective leadership means recognizing the strengths of each team member, open communication, and adapting to new realities, especially in moments of disruption such as during the pandemic or personal transitions like returning from maternity leave.

They reflect on pivotal early career experiences that required stepping into leadership before they felt entirely ready, sharing how those moments cultivated confidence and a proactive mindset. They note that leadership starts long before a formal title and is shaped through self-reflection, ownership, and a problem-solving approach.

Natalia and Nancy advocate for authentic leadership that evolves with experience and values the person behind the professional role. They encourage emerging leaders to lead with intention, resilience, and humility by integrating personal and professional growth.

Selected Transcript Summary

[4:46]
Nancy outlines the plot of Richard Adams’ novel Watership Down, focusing on the journey of Hazel, a rabbit who grows into a leadership role by leveraging his team’s strengths. Natalia expands on Hazel’s empathetic and strategic leadership style, contrasted with General Woundwort’s authoritarian approach. They explore how these contrasting models reflect real-world team dynamics and leadership effectiveness.

[6:01]
Natalia discusses how Hazel’s ability to trust his team members and engage them in problem-solving resonates with her own leadership style. She emphasizes the value of empowering team members and avoiding fear-based management. Nancy highlights how Hazel’s growth as a leader mirrors the professional journey of learning and evolving into leadership roles.

[10:11]
Nancy shares a pivotal professional experience she had during a hearing, illustrating the importance of strategic prioritization and foundational thinking in leadership. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration between counsel and experts in building strong cases.

[11:52]
Natalia reflects on her return from maternity leave during the pandemic, describing how she adapted her communication and leadership approach to a virtual environment. She explains how she adjusted delegation and team engagement, relying on colleagues’ insights to lead effectively and empower team members to take ownership and be key players through the entirety of a project.

[17:21]
The conversation returns to Hazel’s leadership traits. Natalia highlights Hazel’s use of trust and conflict resolution to maintain team cohesion. Nancy discusses how Hazel’s calculated risk-taking inspired her to step out of her comfort zone, focusing on learning over perfection. Both reflect on early career moments where they were pushed into leadership roles before they felt fully ready.

[21:12]
Natalia recounts taking on leadership responsibilities during a secondment in the US. She learned to manage a team and case by reverse-engineering project goals and approaching a challenge with the question “What would my mentor do?” Nancy shares a similar experience from her first major project when she realized she had to take initiative and trust her instincts.

[25:10]
Nancy offers advice to early career professionals: take ownership, be proactive, and recognize that leadership starts well before a formal title. Natalia adds that new leaders should adopt a leadership mindset early, propose solutions rather than just identify problems, and seek feedback from mentors.

[29:11]
They conclude by emphasizing empowerment, growth mindset, and problem-solving mentality. Nancy reflects on the ongoing nature of leadership development and the importance of staying intentional. Natalia agrees, noting that leadership is as much about who you are as a person as it is about professional roles.