This rallying cry is not a ‘burn your bra’ stir up trouble rallying cry, but more a ‘let’s stop watching other women in leadership inventing the wheel and share our experiences’.
Wherever I connect with women in leadership it is very obvious to me those that have a strong support network around them. They acknowledge that their success has been, in no small part, as a result of other women spurring them on and encouraging them. Sharing ideas and experiences that they now actively encourage the next generation of women in their field with.
It’s not rocket science! But what it is, is a biblical principal.
24 Discover creative ways to encourage others[a] and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. 25 This is not the time to pull away and neglect[b] meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning. Hebrews 10:24-25 The Passion Translation
Having read this, stop for a moment and ask yourself this question.
As a leader what is keeping me awake at night? Then consider in your network who you can share this issue with. Who do you know that is likely to have experienced what you are currently experiencing and reach out to them?
Sounds easy! But here’s the ‘rub’. Not everyone has a network. Not everyone would find it easy to share an issue. Not everyone is confident enough to ask for guidance as risking a rejection is far more impacting than getting a resolution to the ‘what’s keeping me awake at night’ issue.
We are all different. God made us unique in His image, so confidence is inherent. It is us that let it lie dormant. Oddly, we women find confidence in a new pair of shoes, a change in hair style or a complement, but that confidence is fleeting. Women in leadership need to have a core behavior of confidence.
On a personal note – were you to see my behavioral personality profile you’d see I am reserved. However, were you to see me speaking to hundreds about understanding behavior and building self-confidence, you’d see me as outgoing and confident. Here’s the clue.
I know my subject and I’ve learned how to deliver it. I know how to use a microphone. I understand the dynamics of an audience and how to speak to the different people in the audience. But the biggest push to do my thing is this. I believe as a woman in leadership I am commanded to share my experiences with other women so they can fulfil their potential.
So, going back to reinventing the wheel. No amount of information, experience, inventiveness we think we have and hold onto is new.
9 That which has been is that which will be [again],
And that which has been done is that which will be done again.
So there is nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
So why not make a decision to enlarge your network of women. Reach out to a woman who is just starting out in business. Do something that helps another woman be all that God intended her to be.
How good would it be for Christian women in leadership to start a Global revolution (of the kindest type) that shares their experience, gifts, encouragement to other women.
I’d be in that. Oh wait, I am.
This article first appeared on Christian Woman & Co, supporting Christian women in business and mompreneurs.
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Carol Pocklington is a Human Performance Accelerator. She has worked with Hugh Massie since 2001 as the DNA Behavior concept was conceived. She works with people and businesses worldwide. Her real-world application of behavioural insights, gives her the capability to serve as a business strategist, coach, mentor, and trainer. She is also a prolific blogger, a public speaker and author, specializing in human behavioural insights.
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