Leadership Becomes Her: Simple, Strategic Solutions for Christian Women Who Lead

Hey, Friend! If you have never thought about your fairness as a leader, or if you are convinced that you are fair, then this episode is for you. In it, I suggest a self-assessment that you should do periodically to determine if you are fair or not. Fairness is more than equitable treatment. As you will hear in the suggested self-assessment questions, you will need to dig deep into various ways you...

Hey, Friend! Ministers depend on volunteers to help a church run smoothly. We literally cannot do our jobs without them. Our job is to pour into those volunteers our time, our attention, our resources, and any training they might want or need. In fact, we have the responsibility to lead by empowering our team members, fostering their trust, and building a culture of collaboration and accountabilit...

Hey, Friend! If you are a minister, then you know that volunteers are worth their weight in gold. As a minister, you are a leader and it is the responsibility of every leader to develop those under their leadership. This includes developing both the capacity of your volunteers, as well as a healthy dependency on you for the vision, the mission of the church as it translates to your ministry, and a...

Hey, Friend! Is there a bigger red flag that someone is not ok than when you ask, “How are you?” and they reply, “Fine.” Think about it. When you are doing great it comes out in your words and your tone. Your face lights up and often you feel compelled to explain why you are doing so well. But when you are not doing well and you do not want to talk about it, the most common response as we attempt...

Hey, Friend, In last week’s episode, I compared positive thinking to toxic positivity. With one, there is an attempt to look on the bright side while acknowledging some big feelings that need attention. With the other, the quest for positive thinking feels forced while feelings are discounted or ignored. In today’s episode, we uncover some of the possible causes of toxic positivity. If you have ev...

Hey, Friend! I think we all understand the importance of having a positive attitude. However, in 2005, the term “toxic positivity” was coined to describe someone who has an unrealistic optimism that discounts the presence or importance of emotions. In today’s episode, I contrast having a positive attitude with toxic positivity and it all boils down to how we acknowledge, validate, and own our emot...

Hey, friend! I think this is a great way to end this three part series on adaptability - with a CTA for you to start flexing that muscle. The only way to become more adaptable is by practicing. And as you commit to practicing adaptability in one area, if you want to take your commitment to the next level, engage a trusted friend or mentor to hold you accountable. Ask this trusted person to share w...

Hey friend! In last week’s episode, I talked about the importance of adaptability and in true confession, I didn’t start working on flexing my adaptability muscles until I was in my 40’s when I started traveling outside of the U.S. In today’s episode, I explore what happens when we are not adaptable. If you see yourself in some of the characteristics I describe, here’s the good news: the ability t...

Friends, In today’s episode, I share my motto for adaptability: Make a plan. Work the plan. Don’t fall in love with the plan. I confess, I was not at all adaptable for the first 19 years of my life. In fact, my adaptability skills were not really tested until I was in my 40’s and started traveling to other countries. It was then that I learned that adaptability is a skill that I needed to learn to...

Hey, Friend! In today’s episode, I contrast Intrinsic Motivation with Extrinsic Motivation. In one, you do something because you find it enjoyable. In the other, you do something for the external reward or to avoid the punishment. Although one is not better than the other, and they often work in tandem, Intrinsic Motivation is usually more sustainable and engaging. Then, I share 12 ways you can he...

Hey, Friend! When Monday rolls around, do you dread going to work? Are you bored with your job? Do you feel restless, wondering if there is something better out there? Is this feeling seeping into your personal life? Or is it your personal life that is boring? Is there a lack of fulfillment that is affecting how you show up at work? In today’s episode, I share 5 signs that you are feeling restless...

Hey, Friend! In last week’s episode, I contrasted thinkers (people who trust their thoughts more than their feelings) with feelers (people who trust their feelings more than their thoughts). One operates more from the head; the other operates more from the heart. The truth is, we need to be able to do both, to integrate head and heart. When we can do this, then thinkers can lean into their emotion...

Hey, Friend! Are you a thinker or a feeler? Thinkers tend to trust their thoughts more than their feelings. Feelers tend to trust their feelings more than their thoughts. So, how do we learn to balance our thoughts and feelings so that we can make good decisions, solve problems, and deal with life in general? In today’s episode, I make some suggestions for bridging the gap between the head and the...

Hey, Friend, People pleasing is not all bad, but sometimes you will have to choose between pleasing others and taking care of yourself. That includes having strong, healthy boundaries, not invisible boundaries that are always moving. Self care is an act of worship to God your creator. It is your responsibility and no one else's. In today’s episode, I share some signs for you to look for to know if...

Hey, Friend, Are you a people pleasing, conflict avoiding leader? In today’s episode, I share some real problems that will surface in your organization if people pleasing is your blind spot. People pleasing is not bad; we all want to be liked and we want to make others happy. But if people pleasing becomes your motivation it can kill your credibility and greatly reduce your effectiveness as a lead...

Hey, Friend, How many times have you said, “I’m a people pleaser” as an explanation for why you are working so hard to make everyone else happy? You are not alone. A 2024 poll by YouGov found that 49% of American adults consider themselves people pleasers. In addition, 92% reported that they engage in people-pleasing behaviors from time-to-time. In today’s episode, the first of a three-part series...

Hey, Friend! There are some days when I think I am a pretty good listener. Other days, I am highly distracted and all of my listening skills go out the window. Does that sound like you? Let’s commit together to becoming better listeners. It will enhance our relationships, build trust in our leadership, and minimize frustration when we walk away from conversations barely remembering what was said....

Hey, Friend! Everyone starts a new job wanted to make a good impression. You want those who hired you to know that they made a good hire. So you listen to those eager to tell you all of the things you should change right away. But don’t be fooled. Although there may be some things that need immediate attention, such as immediately putting child safety measures in place, or filling a spot in a clas...

Hey, friend! Think about those times you have interacted with someone who is passive-aggressive, or who has a hidden agenda. Someone who says one thing but means another. It is unsettling, disorienting, and just plain exhausting. In contrast, it is SO refreshing it is to interact with someone who is ernest. Someone who is sincere, genuine, and straightforward. Someone who is honest, authentic, and...

Hey, Friend! If you want to grow and develop in the workplace, you have to be coachable, meaning that you must be able to welcome feedback and act on what you are learning about yourself. In today’s episode, I compare the qualities of someone who is coachable with someone who is not. As a leader who is responsible for developing those under her leadership, you will want to begin with those employe...

Hey, Friend! I am a huge fan of Brene' Brown’s work. In her book, Dare to Lead she introduces the idea of the Rumble, a conversation where the participants agree to enter with an open mind and a soft heart. In today’s episode, I share what I have learned about the Rumble. It is a learning exercise whereby you seek to understand more than you seek to be understood. It requires curiosity, humility a...

Hey, Friend! Every organization, even every church has a culture and a climate. The culture is what matters to us, how we do things here. The climate is the essence - what it feels like to work here and to be here. In today’s episode, I share how you can use finesse to protect and enrich the climate of your organization. It involves three options: Preventative Measures (building trust) Maintenance...

Hey, Friend! Whether you are in your first ministry role right out of college, or you have entered ministry as a second career, there are at least 6 things you need to consider that will be beneficial to you as you learn the world of ministry, which is like nothing else. Manage your expectations Leverage your experience/expertise Be curious Ask for what you need Seek relationships/support Embrace...

Hey, Friend, Did you know that the majority of ministers (55%) in the United States came to ministry as a second career? They are known as Generalists, having degrees, expertise and experience in another discipline before transitioning to ministry. They bring a broad range of knowledge across multiple disciplines that make them valuable assets to a ministry staff. Ministers with education, experti...

Hey, Friend! As you work to repair and restore your credibility by giving these five suggestions a try, you will find that others will be more patient with you, more understanding and forgiving. Following these five suggestions will make you more relatable too, as others will see your effort and realize that you are committed to continuous improvement. I pray this blesses you, Becky