THE FINE LINE | with Emma Hinchiffe
The Fine Line | with EMMA HINCHLIFFE
Emma Hinchliffe is a senior writer at Fortune, where she leads the publication’s coverage of women, workplace culture, and leadership. As the voice behind The Broadsheet — Fortune’s daily newsletter spotlighting powerful women in business and beyond — Emma has become a trusted storyteller and sharp observer of the systemic forces shaping modern leadership. From C-suite interviews to global stage moderations, her work surfaces the voices and strategies of women who are redefining success on their own terms.
With a decade-long career in journalism, Emma has reported from the front lines of major cultural shifts and covered some of the most influential women across industries. But she is just as interested in what happens behind the scenes — where confidence is forged, doubt is navigated, and support systems are built. Whether moderating a panel with Fortune 500 Chief Marketing Officers or spotlighting a founder’s journey in The Broadsheet, Emma champions transparency, relatability, and the power of women supporting women.
Emma’s personal approach to success centers on ownership: of your time, your voice, and your platform. While she’s interviewed some of the most accomplished leaders in business, she reminds readers that self-doubt is universal, and self-awareness is often an advantage. Her writing offers more than reporting, it’s mentorship in newsletter form.
In this conversation for The Fine Line, Emma reflects on the evolving meaning of success and shares the behind-the-scenes encouragement that shaped her own career trajectory. She speaks candidly about navigating imposter syndrome and the significance of showing up for one another, especially in moments that feel daunting. Emma’s insights offer a compelling reminder: sometimes, success starts when someone in the room believes in you — even before you fully believe in yourself.
What advice do you have for women navigating imposter syndrome — whether as a CEO in a male-dominated industry, a mom returning to work, a young woman starting out in her career, etc.?
Remember that so many people around you either feel like they don’t know what they’re doing, or they genuinely don’t know what they’re doing! (Whether that’s comforting or not is up to you.) I’ve had the opportunity to meet dozens (hundreds?) of leaders at the very top of their game across business, culture, politics, and more. People are people, and everyone doubts themselves, no matter how high they’ve climbed. Even those who don’t struggle with “impostor syndrome” per se, worry about something else. If you’re worrying about this, it’s probably a sign that you’re self-aware, which already puts you steps ahead of some others.
You’ve covered so many high-profile events and interviews. Do you have a favorite behind-the-scenes moment that speaks to the power of women supporting women?
The first time I moderated a panel for Fortune — a conversation on brand-building with CMOs — a few of my more senior colleagues came to watch the session and even asked questions from the audience, despite being busy with their own interviews. It set me up for success in a nerve-wracking moment, and since then, I’ve gone on to interview Fortune 500 CEOs, celebrities, politicians, and more onstage. Without that early moment of support, things might have unfolded very differently!
FOLLOW ALONG
Follow Emma at @emmahinchliffe and subscribe to her newsletter, Fortune’s MPW Daily.
Follow Brigade Events and stay tuned for the next iteration of The Fine Line at @brigadeevents.
We’d be honored to include you — or a woman you admire — in this series. If you or someone you know has a story to share, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at carly@ingoodcompanypr.com. Together, we can uplift, support, and redefine leadership for the next generation.
#TheFineLine #WomenWhoLead #BrigadeEvents