Sulha Edge - Rethinking Leadership

Najla Elmangoush
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Business leaders are expected to make the right decisions, often in environments they don’t fully understand. Sulha Edge explores how conflict, negotiation, and human dynamics shape leadership decisions, especially in complex and cross-cultural settings. Najla Elmangoush, Libya’s first female Foreign Minister, hosts Sulha Edge, translating real-world diplomacy and conflict resolution into practical insight for business leaders. To book a consulation please visit the website https://sulhaedge.co.uk/

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Beyond the Deal: The Human Side of Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | Asiyan Süleymanoğlu

    What lies beneath the surface of a negotiation? And why do so many leaders focus on reaching a deal without understanding the people behind it? In this episode of Sulha Edge, we speak with Asiyan Süleymanoğlu, one of Turkey's first professional mediators, a member of the UN Global Mediation Panel and a conflict resolution expert for the FAO. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience across Turkey, Pakistan, Syria, Iran and beyond, Ayşen shares her insights into navigating complex disputes, building trust and understanding the human dynamics that shape negotiations. From her work at Istanbul's historic Grand Bazaar to international mediation projects, she explains why successful conflict resolution requires more than technical expertise. It demands curiosity, patience, self-awareness and the ability to recognize what is not being said. We also explore the challenges of working as a woman in male-dominated environments, the importance of representation in leadership, and why human relationships will remain irreplaceable in an increasingly AI-driven world. A conversation about looking beyond positions, understanding people's real needs and putting the human element back at the centre of negotiation.

  2. Oct 28

    7 Hostage Negotiation Lessons Every Leader Should Know | Martin Richards

    What can hostage negotiation teach us about leadership, trust and handling conflict? In this episode of Sulha Edge, Najla El Mangoush speaks with Martin Richards, former Metropolitan Police hostage negotiator and international kidnap response consultant, about what it takes to navigate high-stakes crises where one wrong word can have serious consequences. Drawing on decades of experience, Martin explains why trying to win an argument can escalate a crisis, how active listening and empathy help build trust, and why understanding someone's underlying needs can change the course of a negotiation. From hostage situations in Afghanistan and Iraq to difficult conversations in the workplace, Martin reveals how the principles of crisis negotiation translate into everyday leadership, decision-making and conflict resolution. In this episode, we explore: Why winning an argument can make a crisis worse The five triggers that drive stress and difficult behaviour How to build trust with someone who sees you as the enemy Why silence, patience and active listening matter How cultural differences shape negotiation The difference between empathy and agreement What business leaders can learn from hostage negotiators How to manage the emotional impact of high-pressure situations Martin's message is clear: you cannot control another person, but you can influence the conditions that make a different outcome possible. 🎧 Listen now and discover how the skills used to resolve life-threatening crises can help you navigate conflict and lead more effectively. Hosted by Najla El Mangoush, former Foreign Minister of Libya. If you're navigating a complex negotiation or difficult environment, book a discovery call at https://sulhaedge.co.uk.

  3. Oct 21

    Restorative Justice: How to Repair Harm and Rebuild Trust | Sulha Edge

    What if justice wasn’t about assigning blame, but repairing harm? In this episode of Sulha Edge, Najla Mangoush explores restorative justice through the work of Howard Zehr and the tradition of Sulha, a community-based approach to resolving conflict practiced in Libya and other Arab regions. How can businesses respond when trust is broken between partners, managers, teams, or customers? Rather than focusing only on blame or contractual breaches, restorative justice asks us to consider the people affected and what is needed to repair the harm. Najla shares three essential questions: Who was hurt? What do they need? Who will repair it? Discover how a more human-centered approach to conflict can help leaders rebuild trust, restore relationships, and make better decisions. Ready to navigate conflict and rebuild trust in your organization? Book a free discovery call with Sulha Edge: https://sulhaedge.co.uk

  4. Oct 14

    What Great Leaders Do When Things Go Wrong

    What do you do when things go wrong — protect the people who trust you, or protect yourself? In this episode of Sulha Edge, Najla El Mangoush introduces The Shield Test: the moment that reveals who a leader really is. Through personal experiences and leadership research, she explores the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, the double standards women face in positions of authority, and why courage and accountability matter most under pressure. Because leadership is not defined by what happens when everything goes well. It is defined by what you do when someone is counting on you and standing up for them comes at a cost. Listen and reflect on what it means to lead with trust, dignity, and courage. Explore Sulha Edge: https://sulhaedge.co.uk/ Book a discovery call: https://sulhaedge.co.uk/discovery-call Follow the show for more conversations on leadership, negotiation, diplomacy, conflict resolution, and navigating complexity.

  5. Oct 7

    Your Organization May Not Be Dysfunctional. It May Be Traumatized. | Political Trauma & Leadership

    In this episode of Sulha Edge, Najla El Mangoush reflects on her experience leading Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the moment she realized that the institution she had entered was carrying years of violence, dysfunction, fear, and survival behavior. She initially approached her team through listening and collaboration. But the response was silence and hesitation. She eventually understood that trust-based leadership could not simply be introduced into a system that had never experienced trust as safe. Najla explores what political trauma can teach us about leadership far beyond government — including companies and teams shaped by restructuring, fear, chronic underinvestment, or prolonged periods of uncertainty. In this episode: Why dysfunction may actually be institutional traumaWhat silence can reveal about a teamWhy leaders often misread survival behaviorHow to rebuild trust in wounded systemsWhen clarity and directness are more stabilizing than opennessWhy adapting your leadership style isn't abandoning your valuesThe lesson: before trying to change a system, understand what it had to become to survive. Political trauma (1) Need strategic guidance for a complex leadership or business challenge? Book a confidential strategy call with Najla Learn more about Sulha Edge Hosted by Najla El Mangoush, Libya's first female Foreign Minister.

  6. Sep 30

    Leading Through Crisis: When Everyone Says “You’re Crazy” | Burcu Geriş

    What does calm leadership look like when everything is uncertain? In this episode of Sulha Edge, Najla El Mangoush speaks with Burcu Geriş, a senior finance executive and current CFO of Petrol Ofisi, about making difficult decisions when the stakes are high and the future is unclear. Burcu spent more than 20 years at TAV Airports and was part of the leadership team navigating the aviation industry through COVID-19. When airports shut down and revenues fell to zero, the team made a counterintuitive decision: instead of simply waiting for the crisis to pass, they invested in three major airport acquisitions. Burcu explains how those decisions were made — and why leadership in uncertainty requires a combination of data, modelling, experience, instinct and trust in your team. They also explore the less visible side of leadership: navigating male-dominated industries, supporting other women, dealing with career setbacks, letting go of guilt, and learning that being respected can sometimes matter more than being liked. One of the central lessons of the conversation is simple: Be tough on the problem. Be kind to the people. Burcu also shares why she believes we should stop comparing ourselves to others, why “good enough” can be better than perfection, and why surrounding yourself with people who lift you up can fundamentally change what you believe is possible. If you are leading through uncertainty, making high-stakes decisions, or navigating a complex business environment, this conversation offers practical wisdom from someone who has lived through it. Connect with Burcu Geriş: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burcugeris/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burcugeris/ Need support navigating a complex business or leadership challenge? Book a confidential strategy call with Najla El Mangoush and Sulha Edge: https://sulhaedge.co.uk/discovery-call Learn more: https://sulhaedge.co.uk/

  7. Sep 23

    The Choke Point: How Middle East Geopolitics Can Impact Your Business

    Our business doesn’t need to operate in the Middle East to be affected by what happens there. In this episode of Sulha Edge, Najla El Mangoush explores "The Choke Point” — the hidden geopolitical connections that can affect businesses through shipping routes, energy costs, supply chains, and capital. Drawing on her experience as Libya’s Foreign Minister, Najla explains why geopolitical developments and commercial decisions are often far more connected than business leaders realize. She also shares five principles for navigating these complex environments: listening, patience, credibility, dignity, and trustworthiness. Because you may not know where your business’s choke point is until it closes.

  8. Sep 16

    Why Trust Becomes Expensive After Conflict | The Trust Tax

    What happens to trust after conflict ends? Need strategic guidance? BOOK A CALL HERE - https://sulhaedge.co.uk/discovery-call In this episode of Sulha Edge, Najla El Mangoush explores the hidden cost of conflict: the trust tax. Conflict changes how people make decisions long after the fighting stops. Contracts take longer. Hiring becomes more cautious. Every handshake may require more proof. For business leaders operating in complex environments, these behaviors can look like resistance or a lack of trust. But often, they are rational responses to a history you may not know. Najla explores how trust changes shape after conflict, why relationships matter more than institutions, and the difference between negative peace and positive peace. She also shares five principles for navigating environments where trust must be rebuilt: Listening. Patience. Mediation. Dignity. Integrity. The lesson is simple: trust cannot be rushed. It is earned through a track record, kept honestly, over time. Where in your own decisions are you already paying a trust tax — without naming it? 🎙️ Hosted by Najla El Mangoush Sulha Edge explores leadership, conflict, negotiation, and the human dynamics that shape our world.

  9. Sep 9

    Why Trust Is the Most Important Leadership Skill | Prof. Emre Alkin on AI, Economy & Power

    Need strategic guidance? BOOK A CALL HERE --> https://sulhaedge.co.uk/discovery-call What happens when leaders mistake more data for better decisions — or money for value? In this episode of Sulha Edge, Najla El Mangoush speaks with Professor Emre Alkin, economist, author of more than 37 books, university president, advisor to major institutions and companies, and musician. They explore why trust is not a "soft skill" but a structural foundation for leadership, how leaders should balance listening with taking decisive action, and what Turkey's experience with inflation can teach European businesses and policymakers. The conversation also looks ahead to AI and the future of work, Europe's investment gap, Turkey's digital transformation, and the changing requirements for businesses in an increasingly connected economy. Professor Alkin also shares his philosophy of leadership, the importance of integrity and execution, why listening can sometimes be more powerful than giving advice, and why true wealth comes from turning money into value. A conversation about leadership, trust, economics, AI, decision-making and what it means to lead through uncertainty.

  10. Sep 2

    How to Hold Your Line When You Have No Leverage | Najla El Mangoush

    Need strategic guidance? BOOK A CALL HERE - https://sulhaedge.co.uk/discovery-call What do you do when you’re negotiating with someone who appears to have more power than you? In this episode of Sulha Edge, Najla El Mangoush draws on her experience as Libya’s former Foreign Minister to explore one of the most important lessons she learned in diplomacy: the standards you accept in small moments become the standards you live with in every moment that follows. Najla shares a real diplomatic experience involving boundaries, protocol and an ambassador who crossed a line — and explains why holding your standards isn't stubbornness or arrogance. It is about consistency, trust and knowing what you are unwilling to normalize.The lesson applies far beyond diplomacy. #Negotiation #Leadership #Diplomacy #ConflictResolution #BusinessLeadership

  11. Sep 1

    What Being the First Really Costs | Najla El Mangoush

    What does it really mean to be the first? In this episode of Sulha Edge, Najla El Mangoush reflects on her experience as Libya’s first female Foreign Minister and the unexpected weight that comes with being the person who enters a room for the first time. Need strategic guidance? BOOK A CALL HERE - https://sulhaedge.co.uk/discovery-call Being first can mean being judged before you are heard, having your achievements questioned, and carrying the pressure of representing something larger than yourself. Najla shares the lessons she learned from leadership, scrutiny, being underestimated, and navigating moments when doing the job well wasn't enough to guarantee recognition. But being underestimated can also become a source of strength. This is a conversation about leadership, visibility, resilience, and learning not to make yourself smaller just because others are uncomfortable with your presence. Sulha Edge explores diplomacy, negotiation, conflict resolution, and the human stories behind leadership in complex environments.

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    Najla Elmangoush is Libya’s first female Foreign Minister and founder of Sulha Edge, a podcast that translates real-world diplomacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution into practical insight for business leaders navigating complex environments. Drawing on her advisory work across Libya, Iraq, Lebanon, and Sudan, and her scholarship on Sulha, a Libyan tradition of restorative diplomacy, she surfaces the dynamics leaders often miss until it costs them. She is a Visiting Fellow at the Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics and visiting faculty at Topkapi University, a Fulbright alumna, BBC 100 Women honoree, and recipient of the US International Women of Courage Award. Each episode is built to help you act earlier, reduce risk, and make sharper decisions, without needing to master every environment you operate in.

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    11 Episodes

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About

Business leaders are expected to make the right decisions, often in environments they don’t fully understand. Sulha Edge explores how conflict, negotiation, and human dynamics shape leadership decisions, especially in complex and cross-cultural settings. Najla Elmangoush, Libya’s first female Foreign Minister, hosts Sulha Edge, translating real-world diplomacy and conflict resolution into practical insight for business leaders. To book a consulation please visit the website https://sulhaedge.co.uk/

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