In this Short Talk episode Judith Germain speaks to Charlotte Gregson about how to navigate international challenges as a startup. Charlotte emphasises the importance of transparent and empathetic leadership, drawing from her own personal experiences. She discusses how she has tried to create an environment where her team feels comfortable raising issues and providing feedback, and how she works to support them through personal challenges. Key Takeaways Charlotte shared her unconventional career path from scientific research to management consulting to founding/growing an international talent marketplace startup Building and developing a diverse, international team has been very rewarding for her Transparency, empathy and authenticity are key to leading across cultures As one of the few female leaders, she has faced perceptions of being "too challenging" but remains passionate about improving the business In this conversation Charlotte acknowledges the gender imbalance in her industry and her role as the only female UK leader in her organisation. She discusses the challenges she has faced, such as being heard in meetings, and the perceptions that can come with being a female leader. However, she remains passionate about her work and committed to speaking up and driving positive change. The overarching message of this episode is about the power of transparent, empathetic leadership in driving success, even in complex, international business environments. Charlotte Gregson is the UK County Head at Malt, an end-to-end talent marketplace that allows companies across the UK and Europe to source and manage freelance talent. You can find out more about our guest and today's episode in this Maverick Paradox Magazine article here. --- Maverick leadership is all about thinking outside the box and challenging the status quo. It's about having the courage to take risks and the confidence to lead in a way that is authentic and genuine. But amplifying your influence as a leader isn't just about having a strong vision or a big personality. It's also about having the right leadership capability and being able to execute on your ideas and plans. The consequences of not having the right level of influence as a leader can be significant. Without the ability to inspire and motivate others, you may struggle to achieve your goals and make a real impact. How Influential Are you? Take the scorecard at amplifyyourinfluence.scoreapp.com and see.  Catalysing Transformation - 1 min video Judith's book: The Maverick Paradox: The Secret Power Behind Successful Leaders.  Judith's websites:  The Maverick Paradox Magazine - themaverickparadox.com The Maverick Paradox Website - maverickparadox.co.uk Judith's LinkedIn profile is here, her Twitter profile (MaverickMastery) is here, Facebook here and Instagram here.