Leading with Heart: Julia Kisla Taylor of The LIONS Management On The Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership
An Interview With Pirie Jones Grossman
I do not think there is a universal approach or single solution for effective leadership. To truly inspire and motivate others, you need to understand their hopes, dreams, motivations, triggers and passions. Only by genuinely knowing what your team needs from you can you effectively rally them around your cause.
In today’s dynamic world, the concept of leadership is continuously evolving. While traditional leadership models have often been male-dominated, there is a growing recognition of the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to these roles. This series aims to explore how women can become more effective leaders by authentically embracing their femininity and innate strengths, rather than conforming to traditional male leadership styles. In this series, we are talking to successful women leaders, coaches, authors, and experts who can provide insights and personal stories on how embracing their inherent feminine qualities has enhanced their leadership abilities. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Julia Kisla Taylor.
Julia Kisla Taylor is a Ukrainian- American entrepreneur and business owner. She is the CEO of The Lions Management, a premier NYC-based talent management, branding, PR and creative services agency that continues to break barriers and set new standards in the industry. With her at the helm, the company has expanded its global presence, fostering strong relationships with top brands and talent across the fashion, entertainment and sporting industries. Julia’s strategic vision and innovative approach have positioned The Lions Management as a leader in the talent management sector while encouraging clients to pursue their own entrepreneurial endeavors.
Julia holds a Master of Science in Accounting degree from Suffolk University and frequently consults businesses and the public sector on financial recovery and economic growth. Her notable contributions include developing a small business recovery program in Haiti through the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund and an economic empowerment program for Rwandan women with UN Women. Presently, she is an advisory board member for Mercado Global, a nonprofit organization that works to empower indigenous Latin American women to become entrepreneurs. Julia is also a contributing writer for The Fashionography magazine on cultural and socio-political issues.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about authentic, feminine leadership, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Absolutely, I’d be delighted to share my journey. My career path has been anything but linear, shaped by both personal and professional evolution. Originally from Ukraine, I came to the US on a scholarship in creative writing and literature, which fueled my interest in the creative arts.
I went on, however, to earn a master’s degree in accounting, a field that might seem devoid of creativity, yet it provided me with opportunities to try various industries. My passion consistently drew me toward the creative sector — I gained experience in music publications, special effects, production companies, and ultimately, fashion. I have to say that my career choices have always been motivated by the people I meet rather than the particular field. It’s the interesting and inspiring individuals I encounter that drive my passion and shape my professional journey.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of the most enlightening experiences in my career has been realizing the profound impact fashion can have beyond its surface appeal. Fashion can uplift communities and create significant opportunities.
I worked with artisans in Haiti after the devastating earthquake and saw how they could use recycled materials to create innovative collections, providing sustainable livelihoods and driving economic improvement in the aftermath of destruction. Similarly, in Guatemala, through my work with Mercado Global, where I serve on the board, I learned how fashion can empower indigenous women by connecting them with international markets, thereby lifting their families out of poverty.
These experiences have shown me that fashion is far from superficial. It connects local to the global in a way that empowers communities, creates opportunities, and drives social change.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
Ten years ago, The Lions Management set out to revolutionize the fashion talent management industry by amplifying voices and embracing the uniqueness of models. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion has driven significant change in the industry. We pioneered the use of technology, specifically social media to build personal brands, focusing on inspiring stories rather than just appearances. This approach has empowered models to challenge an industry known for silencing voices.
A notable example is Valentina Sampaio, the first transgender model in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. We secured her ambassadorship with Victoria’s Secret and made her the face of Armani Beauty, highlighting her talent and our ability to elevate models to prominent positions.
Renowned models like Candice Swanepoel, Jasmine Tookes and Kate Upton have joined us for our commitment to quality management and sustainable career growth. Recently, we expanded to represent celebrities beyond models, including DJ Honey Dijon and NBA star Jimmy Butler.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
For me, one of the most important traits is emotional intelligence. Leaders with high emotional intelligence can navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, resolve conflicts effectively and inspire and motivate their teams, ultimately driving higher performance and fostering a positive organizational culture.
In the people-centric business I operate, everything revolves around human emotions. It’s crucial to understand my own emotions while recognizing and influencing the emotions of others. This ability leads to better communication, stronger relationships and a more empathetic and supportive work environment.
Second, I would have to say adaptability. It has allowed me to thrive in diverse environments and industries. When we started The Lions Management, the fashion industry was faced with many choices that it could embrace or reject: diversity, inclusion, social media, models working standards. Embracing these changes allowed us to stay ahead of the curve and set new industry standards.
Lastly, you must have a vision. The best leaders are visionaries, possessing the foresight to navigate uncharted territories and inspire others toward a greater future. Visionary leaders see beyond the present, driving organizational success and sparking innovation.
When we started The Lions, we discarded industry standards, choosing to represent inspiring individuals regardless of traditional measurements or aesthetics. We pushed to expand the definition of beauty, inviting people to consider diverse options. For example, we launched the career of Slick Woods, an American model known for her bald head, gapped teeth and tattoos. Our vision convinced traditionalists to give her a chance. Slick has since walked for major brands like Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Yeezy and Puma and has been photographed by industry icons such as Steven Meisel, Tim Walker, and Alasdair McLellan.
Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader? I’m curious to understand how these challenges have shaped your leadership.
I believe leadership is all about making hard choices, often under challenging circumstances. The difficulty lies in the fact that not all choices are equal — resources, competitive advantages and ethical considerations all play a role.
One particular challenge we face in our business is when a brand with a questionable reputation offers a substantial monetary contract to one of our talent. The financial benefits are clear, and the talent could certainly use the exposure and income, however, we have to weigh this against the ethical implications and long-term impact on both the talent and our agency’s reputation.
In these situations, I have learned to prioritize both our agency’s values and the best interests of the talent we represent. In the past, after discussing the potential risks and benefits with the talent, we collectively decided to decline the offer. We emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity and protecting the talent’s long-term career prospects.
Decisions like this reinforce our commitment to our core values and show that we prioritize the well-being of our talent. Upholding these principles fosters trust and respect between us and our talent, within our organization, and in the broader industry, ensuring sustainable success and a strong reputation for our agency and our talents.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a personal experience where embracing your unique leadership style, which might not align with traditional expectations, led to a significant positive impact in your organization or team?
One of the aspects of my leadership style that you might not consider unconventional is that I do not have a CEO office. Instead, I sit with my team of agents at a communal table. This setup has proven to offer the most immediate opportunities for mentorship and connection. I am not always in the office — I travel, I have a lot of outside meetings, but when I am 100% present for my team, which allows me to guide them not only in technical areas, such as contract negotiations, but I also constantly reinforce our values, mission and vision. Earlier in my career, I didn’t fully appreciate how crucial it is to consistently emphasize these core principles.
I’ve come to realize that this approach cultivates a stronger, more cohesive team. By being accessible, present and actively involved in the daily workings of the team, I can ensure that we remain aligned in our goals and uphold the principles that define our agency. This style has led to significant positive impacts within our organization. It has enhanced trust, encouraged continuous learning and reinforced a shared commitment to excellence.
In your journey as a leader, how have you balanced demonstrating resilience, often seen as a masculine trait, with showing vulnerability, which is equally powerful, but typically feminine? Can you give an example where this balance created a meaningful difference?
Great question. It’s important to recognize that these traits are fundamentally human rather than inherently masculine or feminine. Society often labels resilience as masculine and vulnerability as feminine, but true leadership transcends these societal labels by embracing the full spectrum of human experience.
Resilience embodies the strength to persevere through challenges and maintain a steadfast commitment to one’s goals. It is essential for navigating the complexities of leadership. Vulnerability, on the other hand, is the courage to be open and authentic, to admit uncertainties, and to embrace the possibility of failure. It fosters genuine connections and trust, creating a supportive environment where creativity and collaboration can flourish. Developing both qualities requires time and a commitment to personal growth as a leader.
I integrate these traits to inspire and empower my teams and to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and shared purpose. Ultimately, effective leadership is about embracing our full humanity and recognizing that both strength and openness are necessary to lead with integrity and empathy.
As a woman in leadership, how have you navigated and challenged gender stereotypes, especially in situations where traditional male-dominated approaches are the norm? What strategies have you employed to remain authentic to your style?
I have to say that even after 20 years of professional experience, there is still an annoying part of my career. There are still situations where I choose to ignore certain biases and persevere and situations where I draw a hard line, pause and educate. For example, when comments or actions undermine my authority or capabilities, I always choose to address them head-on, using the moment as an opportunity to shift perceptions. At the same time, I focus on building an undeniable track record of success, creating a professional reputation that speaks louder than any stereotype.
For me navigating and challenging gender stereotypes requires a blend of resilience, strategic confrontation, unwavering commitment to one’s goals and a steadfast dedication to uplifting other women. By mentoring and supporting the next generation of female leaders, we amplify the presence of women in leadership roles, thus dismantling stereotypes. Female leaders like me have to make it a priority to elevate other women, understanding that together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable future.
How do you utilize emotional intelligence and active listening to create an inclusive environment in your team or organization? Could you share a specific instance where these qualities particularly enhanced team dynamics or performance?”
I already listed emotional intelligence as the #1 trait for effective leadership. By attuning to the emotions and needs of my team members, I can help cultivate an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, supporting an inclusive atmosphere and leading to heightened creativity.
This approach also allows me to align the needs of the organization with the unique potential of each individual. I apply this philosophy extensively in the hiring process. Sometimes, I encounter individuals with exceptional talents and unique skill sets, but we do not have an existing role for them. Instead of passing on such talent, I analyze how their skills and abilities can create new opportunities. This strategy led to the establishment of The Lions’ branding division and The Lions Studio, opening new avenues for growth.
What role has mentorship played in developing your authentic leadership style, and how do you communicate authentically to inspire and empower both your mentors and mentees?
The value of a mentor cannot be overstated, though I do not think that mentorship alone equates to developing an authentic leadership style. A good mentor will encourage self-reflection, which is essential for authenticity. However, the journey of self-discovery cannot be delegated. Your authenticity is going to be grounded in your personal experiences, values, strengths and weaknesses. You have to commit to self-improvement, and this is a journey you must undertake yourself.
Equally important, yet often overlooked, is the concept of sponsorship in leadership development. Mentors act as sounding boards, providing support, encouragement and helping to refine skills and strategies. However, sponsors go beyond advising — they actively champion your cause. Sponsors use their influence to create opportunities, advocate for your inclusion and vouch for your abilities. They are the ones who say, “She deserves a seat at the table; let’s hear her ideas.” This kind of advocacy is crucial for breaking down barriers and opening doors that might otherwise remain closed, particularly for women in leadership.
To truly develop as a leader, one must seek both mentors and sponsors. Mentors nurture your potential, while sponsors help you materialize and amplify it. Mentors help you grow; sponsors help you rise. A mentor might guide you on how to excel, but a sponsor ensures that your excellence is recognized and rewarded.
Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways Leading Authentically As A Woman Will Affect Your Leadership”?
I don’t know if I can speak about leading authentically, specifically as a woman, because authenticity implies individuality. There are different female leaders, just as there are different male leaders. Each of us brings unique strengths, perspectives and experiences to leadership. So, I think I can only speak to my experience and how I view authenticity as a benefit.
To me, leading authentically helps you naturally attract the right people to your team. When you are clear about your values, goals, strengths and weaknesses, you attract those who resonate with and support your vision and help close gaps. This helps build a strong, cohesive team — your tribe — aligned with your mission and motivated to contribute to shared success.
Being yourself means you don’t expend energy pretending to be someone you’re not. This genuine approach creates a relaxed and productive environment where team members feel comfortable being themselves. Moreover, authenticity enhances communication and relationships. Being transparent and honest builds credibility, encouraging others to do the same. This leads to deeper, more meaningful connections within your team, fostering collaboration and innovation.
I do not think there is a universal approach or single solution for effective leadership. To truly inspire and motivate others, you need to understand their hopes, dreams, motivations, triggers and passions. Only by genuinely knowing what your team needs from you can you effectively rally them around your cause.
Are there potential pitfalls or challenges associated with being an empathetic leader? How can these be addressed?
Perhaps, the biggest challenge is emotional overload. As an empathetic leader, you can take on the emotional burdens of your team members, leading to emotional fatigue or burnout. Practicing self-care is important, whatever that means to each of us. Delegating responsibilities and encouraging a team-based approach to problem-solving can prevent the emotional burden from resting solely on one person. Additionally, cultivating emotional intelligence is crucial. Empathy is only a component of emotional intelligence. While empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, emotional intelligence encompasses a wider range of skills that enable leaders to manage both their own emotions and the emotions of others effectively.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I think that I would like to focus on amplifying movements that currently exist and focus on fashion as a force for good. While fashion is a powerful and influential industry, it is also one of the largest environmental polluters and a significant offender of human rights, particularly in the treatment of garment workers. Yet, fashion holds immense potential to transform economies, lift people out of poverty and drive social change.
I envision a movement that unites existing efforts and harnesses fashion’s ability to inspire and connect people globally. This movement would transcend eco-friendly materials, fair labor practices and responsible production methods, inspiring people to strive for better and be better. Of course, we can try to fix certain problems with regulations, rules and penalties, but it would be far more powerful if we collectively grew in consciousness and inspired one another to create responsibly and with purpose.
I believe we can connect local efforts to a global audience and leverage the strengths and creativity of diverse communities through inspiring and purposeful collaboration, investment in education and support for advocacy. As a result, we can create a more conscious and compassionate industry.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Please follow The Lions on Instagram @thelionsmgmt and connect with me via LinkedIn (Julia Kisla) or Instagram @juliakisla
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Pirie is a TedX speaker, author and a Life Empowerment Coach. She is a co-host of Own your Throne podcast, inspiring women in the 2nd chapter of their lives. With over 20 years in front of the camera, Pirie Grossman understands the power of storytelling. After success in commercials and acting. She spent 10 years reporting for E! Entertainment Television, Entertainment Tonight, also hosted ABC’s “Every Woman”. Her work off-camera capitalizes on her strength, producing, bringing people together for unique experiences. She produced a Children’s Day of Compassion during the Dalai Lama’s visit here in 2005. 10,000 children attended, sharing ideas about compassion with His Holiness. From 2006–2009, Pirie Co-chaired the Special Olympics World Winter Games, in Idaho, welcoming 3,000 athletes from over 150 countries. She founded Destiny Productions to create Wellness Festivals and is an Advisory Board member of the Sun Valley Wellness Board.In February 2017, Pirie produced, “Love is Louder”, a Brain Health Summit, bringing in Kevin Hines, noted suicide survivor to Sun Valley who spoke to school kids about suicide. Sun Valley is in the top 5% highest suicide rate per capita in the Northwest, prompting a community initiative with St. Luke’s and other stake holders, to begin healing. She lives in Sun Valley with her two children, serves on the Board of Community School. She has her Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica and is an Executive Life Empowerment Coach, where she helps people meet their dreams and goals! The difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal is a dream with a date on it!
