Session #3 | Half a Shoe Size Too Big: Julia Schlenz on Growing Into Leadership

In this episode, Natasha Klymczuk interviews Julia Schlenz, President of Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India at Dow. Julia shares her unique career journey from public relations to the chemical industry, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and psychological safety in leadership. She discusses the challenges and opportunities within the chemical sector, particularly in relation to innovation and regulatory constraints. Julia also highlights the distinctive culture at Dow that fosters integrity and performance, and offers valuable advice for early career talent and her younger self.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Julia Schlenz and Dow01:56 Career Journey: From Public Relations to Chemicals05:58 Building Credibility in a Technical Environment09:58 Evolution of Leadership: From Proving to Supporting14:01 Creating Psychological Safety in Teams17:54 Stepping Out of Comfort Zones21:58 Supporting Early Career Talent26:02 The Distinctive Culture at Dow29:57 Opportunities and Challenges in the Chemical Sector34:03 Innovation and the Future of Chemicals35:58 Advice to Younger Self