Women of Faith in Leadership - Kingdom Leadership, Workplace Organisational culture, Christian women Rika Whelan | Christian Workplace Culture Coach | Organisational Culture Consultant

When I stepped into one of the biggest leadership roles I’d ever held, I wanted to be assertive.
I wanted to walk into a room, be confident (not timid because that’s how I felt) and have everybody listen to me.
That’s not what being assertive means at all… but honestly, I didn’t quite know what it meant to be assertive.
Assertiveness can often be confused with aggressiveness.
People who are assertive are often labelled as being too aggressive with their approach.
So, hence the question… should female Christian leaders be assertive?
Let’s get that question answered!
 
Let’s have a look first at what it actually means to be assertive…
Assertiveness
According to Risely.me, assertiveness refers to the ability to express one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs in a clear, direct, and respectful manner while also considering the rights and opinions of others.
It is a communication and behavioural style that promotes open and honest expression, confidence, and self-assuredness without infringing upon the rights and boundaries of others.
Now, assertiveness is often confused with aggressiveness as I mentioned before.
Aggressiveness
And aggressiveness refers to the behaviour or communication style that is characterised by forcefulness, hostility, and the disregard for the rights and feelings of others.
Aggressiveness involves a proactive approach to achieving one’s own goals or asserting one’s dominance, often at the expense of others. It can manifest in the form of verbal, physical or passive-aggressive actions.
So, should female Christian leaders be assertive?
Consider the definition of assertiveness, where you express your thoughts, feelings, and needs in a clear, direct, and respectful manner while also considering the rights and opinions of others.
So in my humble opinion, yes, female Christian leaders can and should be assertive.
You might wonder how can I learn to express my thoughts, feelings, and needs in a clear, direct, and respectful manner while also considering the rights and opinions of others.
Here are a couple of tips for you:
Role-playing - seems silly, but by practising with someone else, you make it fun and less intimidating
Workshops and training - there are some workshops and that you can attend on this very topic, there is also usually a fair bit of role-playing involved to practice what you learn
Putting your skills into practice! Practice makes perfect. Very few people just learn something and then get it right the first time, so practice practice, practice.
In an upcoming episode, I’ll be talking to you about how you can gain self-confidence in your abilities. I believe this to be a good follow on, because self-confidence is extremely important. If you don’t believe in yourself, other people might also not. Stay tuned for the next episode. 
Next steps: 
1. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
Join the community of like-minded female Christian leaders. This is where I will be hanging out if I'm not on the podcast chatting to you all. Come share and support each other here. 
Subscribe to my newsletter so you can stay up to date with all upcoming episodes and any other exclusive or special offers.
2. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching session. Just email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

Now it would only be befitting to end this series with one of the bravest women in the bible, and that’s Esther. I love the story of Ester. 
There are 7 leadership lessons that we can learn from Esther.
Courageous Initiative - Leadership often requires confronting uncomfortable situations to effect positive change.
Strategic Timing - Effective leaders discern opportune moments and act decisively. Timing matters.
Selflessness and Sacrifice - Leadership involves sacrifice. Putting others’ needs first is a mark of true leadership.
Prayer and Fasting - Leaders should cultivate a strong spiritual foundation. Prayer and seeking God’s wisdom are essential.
Using Influence for Good - Leadership is about using our influence to make a positive impact on others and advance noble causes.
Silent Strength - Leaders don’t always need to be vocal, silent strength and discernment matter.
Faith in Providence - Leaders trust that God works behind the scenes, even when His name isn’t explicitly invoked.
Next steps: 
1. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
Join the community of like-minded female Christian leaders. This is where I will be hanging out if I'm not on the podcast chatting to you all. Come share and support each other here. 
Subscribe to my newsletter so you can stay up to date with all upcoming episodes and any other exclusive or special offers.
2. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching session. Just email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

This is part 2 of the series Leadership Lessons from Women in the bible. 
Let’s now discuss a much bigger topic, something that I know you, as the listeners have spoken about often when either joining the FB group or in the group itself during discussions, and that is being a woman in a man’s world!
There was one such woman in the bible, and her name was Deborah. 
There are 4 leadership lessons we can learn from her:
Trailblazing Leadership:
Deborah was the first female judge in the book of Judges, breaking barriers in a male-dominated role.
Her courage and determination led her to step into a position previously held only by men. She defied societal norms and paved the way for other women.

Guided by Faith:
Deborah had a direct connection with God. She understood that true leadership involves seeking divine guidance.
When Israel faced oppression from the Canaanites, Deborah recognised the need for action. She called upon Barak to lead the battle, demonstrating her strategic insight.

Fearless Action:
Deborah didn’t merely offer advice; she actively participated in the fight for freedom. She accompanied Barak into battle, showing her commitment to the cause.

Celebrating Victory:

After the battle, Deborah and Barak celebrated their triumph through song. Her leadership not only secured freedom for Israel but also inspired others.

Next steps:
1. Book a free 15-minute initial consultation with me: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/initialconsultation 
2. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
Join the community of like-minded female Christian leaders. This is where I will be hanging out if I'm not on the podcast chatting to you all. Come share and support each other here. 
Subscribe to my newsletter so you can stay up to date with all upcoming episodes and any other exclusive or special offers.
3. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching call, email me at support@rikawhelan.com
4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

Long gone are the days when there are only men in authority positions. Even in the bible, God used women to lead others, teach others and care for others.
In this 3-part series, I’ll discuss leadership lessons from 3 amazing women in the bible. 
Part 1: Ruth
One of my absolute favourite stories in the bible is the story of Ruth and Boaz. I’ve always loved it because it’s just a nice, beautiful love story. You can go read it in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament.
Now, although Ruth wasn’t a "leader", there is one valuable leadership lesson we can learn from her… she didn’t give up on her people. People in this context being her mother-in-law.
Let’s recap the story briefly: Naomi has two sons, and both of them married. One was married to Orpah and the other to Ruth.
Naomi’s husband and two sons died, and her two daughters-in-laws were with her. Naomi wanted to return to her homeland with her two daughters-in-laws but on the way, she said to them to return to their mother’s house so that they may remarry.
Orpah departed but Ruth decided to stay. She was determined to remain by Naomi’s side.
Human Nature
So often, as human beings, we tend to give up on people, especially if they hurt us or break up the friendship for whatever reason. It’s easy for us to give up on a friendship or loved one. I’ve been there, unfortunately.
What should we do as leaders?
However, as leaders, we need to rise above our human nature to give up on people. Sometimes people just need us to believe in them, have faith in them, encourage them and give them a little nudge (or push!). So never give up on your team, get to know them on a personal level (without crossing the boundaries), so that you know when they just need that extra bit of belief in you that they can do it!
Next steps:
1. Book a free 15-minute initial consultation with me: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/initialconsultation 
2. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
Join the community of like-minded female Christian leaders. This is where I will be hanging out if I'm not on the podcast chatting to you all. Come share and support each other here. 
Subscribe to my newsletter so you can stay up to date with all upcoming episodes and any other exclusive or special offers.
3. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching call, email me at support@rikawhelan.com
4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

This is our listener's 3rd favourite episode of all time! Enjoy!
Welcome to the first episode of the new Gossip Series. In this first episode, I'll be answering the question... Is it really gossip?
I've often been asked what is the difference between Office Chatter and Gossip. 
Let's define each of the terms:
Office Chatter: Office chatter refers to casual and often light conversations that take place in the workplace. It includes discussions about work-related matters, general news, and even personal topics that aren't meant to be harmful or damaging. Office chatter can help build camaraderie, create a sense of belonging, and foster a positive work environment. It's typically harmless and contributes to a healthy workplace culture.
Gossip: Gossip, on the other hand, involves discussing personal or private matters about others, often without their knowledge or consent, and frequently with a negative or judgmental tone. Gossip can be damaging as it spreads unverified information, harms relationships, erodes trust and creates a toxic work environment. It often focuses on personal aspects of someone's life that have no bearing on their work performance or job responsibilities.
Distinguishing Factors between Office Chatter and Gossip:

Intent: Office chatter aims to connect, share experiences, and create a friendly atmosphere. Gossip, however, often involves spreading information with the intention of causing harm, stirring drama, or undermining someone's reputation.


Content: Office chatter encompasses a wide range of topics, including work-related matters, shared experiences, hobbies, and interests. Gossip tends to focus on personal details, rumours, judgments, and negative assessments of individuals.


Effect: Office chatter contributes positively to workplace culture by building relationships and fostering a sense of community. Gossip has a negative impact, eroding trust, creating tension, and damaging morale.


Consequences: Office chatter can strengthen bonds and improve team dynamics. Gossip can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and a decline in productivity.

Listen as I also share what you can start doing immediately, regarding gossip in your workplace. 
Next steps:
1. Book a free 15-minute initial consultation with me: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/initialconsultation 
2. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
Join the community of like-minded female Christian leaders. This is where I will be hanging out if I'm not on the podcast chatting to you all. Come share and support each other here. 
Subscribe to my newsletter so you can stay up to date with all upcoming episodes and any other exclusive or special offers.
3. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching call, email me at support@rikawhelan.com
4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

What should you do if you constantly have to deal with a difficult person at work?
Would you declare war and be difficult to them as well, or would you just let it go?
In this episode, I am going to give you some tips on how to deal with difficult people.
We’ve all worked with someone who is extremely difficult.
They don’t agree with anyone, they always ark up when people make new suggestions or suggest changes and they’ve gained a reputation for being difficult.
So much so that people saying “Oh I wonder what XX will say about that?”
First of all, as leaders, we have a duty of care towards the people in our team. If someone is being difficult, we should try and understand why.
Similar to your high school bully (or workplace bully), they usually are covering up their own hurt and trying to make up for it by being mean to others.
It doesn’t excuse the behaviour, it just explains it.
So when it comes to dealing with difficult people, here are a couple of tips:
Don’t take it personally, it usually isn’t you or the team, it’s usually something personal that has happened to them
Do not react to their difficult behaviour - stay calm at all times and remain respectful 
Call them into your office and speak with them - lay it on the table. “I have noticed that you have been acting a bit troubled lately. I am worried about you, is there anything I can support you with? If they deny it, then give them some examples. If they say they didn’t mean it or it was taken the wrong way, then point out that their current behaviour and reaction is exactly the same and as someone whose job it is to look from the outside in, you can see that something might potentially bother them. Let them know that you are there for them and to support them and that you would appreciate it if they would be a bit more cooperative towards you and the team.
If the difficult behaviour continues, call them back in again and speak to them about examples of where their performance was affected by their behaviour and how their behaviour is starting to affect the team.
Check-in with them daily, and show them that you care. Invite them for coffee to your office for a chat and hopefully by now, you have started breaking down the barriers so that they will talk to you.
You can also suggest that if they don’t want to talk to you, they speak to someone else like HR or another line manager.
Some people with certain personalities unfortunately are just difficult and it will do you well, to not take it personally. However, you also have to protect your team and if the person’s behaviour is affecting the team, you need to do something about it.
I’m all for accountability in the workplace. Leaders need to keep their people accountable.
I hope this was helpful. Join me again on Friday as we end the week strong.
God bless.
Next steps:
1. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
Join the community of like-minded female Christian leaders. This is where I will be hanging out if I'm not on the podcast chatting to you all. Come share and support each other here. 
Subscribe to my newsletter so you can stay up to date with all upcoming episodes and any other exclusive or special offers.
2. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!