Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly Cain

There are a lot of hard situations we face as leaders. How we respond and communicate in these situations plays a significant role in the outcome, both for us and for others. We cannot control how the other person or people respond, but the way we approach and lead the conversation can make a huge difference.

In this episode of the Communication Series, we're talking about the idea of dealing with hard situations and some principles we can follow. Specifically, we will use one example of a hard conversation we may need to have as a leader: when we have messed up.

When you mess up as a leader, it can be embarrassing. But, more importantly, it can have a negative impact on your team or the organization. While our focus in this conversation will be on what to do when you've made a mistake as a leader, the principles can apply to many hard situations or conversations you might face.

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode74.

• 8 Steps to Take When You Face a Hard Situation as a Christian Leader
• Dealing with other hard situations and conversations
• Learn How to Hard Conversations with Confidence

If you'd like to learn how to initiate and lead hard conversations as Christian woman--even if you struggle with confrontation, aren't sure what to say, and want to avoid hurting people in the process--then you'll want to get on the waitlist for a resource I'm creating.

This will help you know how to approach hard conversations as a female leader AND give you a starting point of what to say during those hard conversations. If you are listening in real time (hearing this in Nov. 2019), this resource is coming soon, and you can get on the waitlist at ConfidentLeaderScripts.com.

Get on the waiting list for Confident Leader Scripts: http://confidentleaderscripts.com

• Esther's Website
• Holly's Website
• Instagram
• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page

This episode was originally published estherlittlefield.com/episode74.

As you lead your team, how can you communicate positively? What are the keys to healthy communication? And how can you win others over in a genuine way so that they want to follow you?

In this episode, Holly and I talk with wife, mom, and entrepreneur Natalie Gingrich about how we can win others over and communicate positively as we lead.

Natalie breaks down the common mistakes leaders make in communicating with their team, how to deal with conflict in the workplace, as well as how communication affects hiring, firing, and developing teams.

Plus she gives us the 2 keys she has used for being able to communicate positively through the years.

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode73.

• Natalie's Leadership Experiences
• How to Communicate Positively in the Workplace
• How Communication Affects Hiring, Firing, and Developing Teams
• Leaders Are Learners

"For you to be an effective communicator and a good leader, a good steward of your mission--whether that's at church, home or work--you have to understand who you are speaking to." - Natalie Gingrich

"Miscommunication happens when you don't know how somebody learns or wants to be talked to." - Natalie Gingrich

"Conflict is always a difference." - Natalie Gingrich

"How do we fill the gap? It's by knowing the other party; knowing where their heart is and what serves the greater good, not just yourself." - Natalie Gingrich

"There is opportunity in every hard conversation." - Natalie Gingrich

"We should be focusing on developing a wider array of leaders and not just looking for those high-performers that we know can get the job done, because we're probably going to burn them out because we're going to give them way too much to do." - Esther Littlefield

"It's a joint relationship; someone doesn't fail alone, and someone doesn't succeed alone." - Natalie Gingrich

As a Christian leader, we want to encourage you to continually work on this area of communication. No matter where we are at, there is always room for improvement. Be sure to take something you heard from this episode and put it into action.

And if you'd like to learn how to communicate more effectively, I'm creating a resource for you called Confident Leader Scripts. This will help you know how to approach hard conversations as a female leader AND give you a starting point of what to say during those hard conversations. If you are listening in real time (hearing this in Nov. 2019), this resource is coming soon, and you can get on the waitlist at ConfidentLeaderScripts.com.

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Podcast
• Grab your free guide to define (or refine) your mission, vision, and values

Natalie Gingrich is the founder and host of The Ops Authority. She has been in operations for two decades – either in healthcare, corporate America or as an entrepreneur. Her goal is to bridge the gap and overwhelm when it comes to processes and systems, growing a team, and setting up solid business foundations.

She spent 15 years in corporate operations and leadership at a Fortune 150 company. When given the opportunity to leave, she put the knowledge, certifications, and experience to work by creating her own consulting firm as well as a certification. She developed the Director of Operations certification to equip existing ops experts a flexible profession, outside of corporate but still playing a huge role in small businesses, globally.

• Esther's Website
• Holly's Website
• Instagram
• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page

This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode73.

Communication is one of the most important aspects of leadership. We get it wrong a lot. But we can get better; it's possible to learn to communicate more effectively.

In today's conversation, we're going to talk about the importance of effective communication in leadership, and we'll share some principles for healthy communication. This is the first in our new series on communication.

For the purposes of this series and this conversation, we're considering communication to include everything we say and do as leaders.

Words, actions, non-verbal cues, tone of voice, written messages, social media posts… these are various ways we communicate as leaders.

So clearly, this is a big issue, and there's no way we can cover it comprehensively during this series. But we hope to bring you some useful and helpful conversations to encourage you to grow in this area.

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode72.

• Why Effective Communication Matters
• • Who are we communicating to?
  • Where are we communicating?
  • What happens when we do not communicate effectively as leaders?
  • Communication Gone Wrong
• 9 Principles for Effective Communication
• Take Action

Get on the waiting list for Confident Leader Scripts: http://confidentleaderscripts.com

• Esther's Website
• Holly's Website
• Instagram
• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page

This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode72.

How do you get clarity on your purpose? What if you feel stuck? How do you handle the fear that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone? What do you do when everything you've built your identity around starts to crumble?

In this episode, I talk with Stefanie Gass, podcaster, entrepreneur, wife and mom, about her journey through identity lost and found, what advice she has for other leaders, and what she's learned about purpose and calling along the way.

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode71.

Key Points Discussed:

• Stefanie's Experience of Losing Success and Rediscovering Faith
• Gaining Clarity Around Your Calling
• Stef's Leadership Lessons
• Leaders Are Learners

Key Quotes from the Episode:

• "We are all humans. We are all weak. And we are also forgiven."
• "But when you don't have God, it's not a testimony; it's just pain."
• "When you're in alignment with what God's calling you to do on this earth, you actually experience a piece of heaven on earth."
• "You're never going to have absolute clarity."
• "It doesn't have to make you money; it has to bring you joy."
• "God wants you to go and be courageous because it's proof that you trust Him."
• "I challenge you to be who you truly are--even when you're a leader--because that creates a ripple of authenticity."

Connect with Stefanie Gass:

• Website
• Instagram
• "With God She Rises" Journal

Stefanie Gass helps mompreneurs create passive income businesses that light them up!

Fueled by Jesus, iced coffee, & toddler snuggles, Stef is both an exceptional mama AND an extremely successful entrepreneur. Stef's call is empowering women to claim their BEST lives by working less, yet making more.

Stef believes that when we let God's miracles light our path, we will profit from our passions, live proactively, & design a life that fuels our soul. She believes we can actually have it all.

• Esther's Website
• Holly's Website
• Instagram
• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page

This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode71.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you are suddenly being placed in a leadership role that you didn't expect? Or maybe you've recognized your leadership later in life and you feel unprepared for it. Has God asked you to step into a position that you feel unqualified for?

In episode 68, I went through the 5 stages of confident leadership. But for some of you, you might not struggle with the confidence part at all. You might be completely confident in God's love for you, in who He made you to be, and what your gifts and strengths are.

But you might have found yourself in a situation you feel surprised by or unqualified for leadership. You might not have ever considered yourself a leader before, but now you're in this role and you're navigating it and trying to figure out how to fulfill the expectations successfully.

So how do you do this? What are some tips to help you accept your leadership role, even when you're surprised by it or you feel unqualified for it?

In this episode, I'm sharing 3 things you can do to help you step into a leadership role you did not expect or anticipate. Plus I'm giving you some very practical actions you can take in order to move forward in your leadership.

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode70.

• Remember that God has brought you to this place.
• Find a mentor
• Develop your leadership skills
• • Take the Confident Leader Stages quiz.
  • Take the strengths finder assessment.
  • Ask for feedback.
  • Determine what leadership skills you want to develop.
• A final word of encouragement.

"God often puts us into places and roles that we do not feel qualified or ready for so that we learn to trust and rely on His strength."

"Do not shrink back or decline this calling or role God has given you. Step into it."

• Episode 68: What You Need to Know About Becoming a Confident Leader
• Episode 11: From Dream Career to Purposeful Leadership
• Episode 19: The Value of Mentoring
• Episode 9: Discovering Your Strengths with Jenni Schubring
• Episode 8: The Key to Becoming a Better Leader
• Episode 2: What is Leadership and Why Does Your Leadership Matter?

• Esther's Website
• Holly's Website
• Instagram
• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page

This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode70.

Have you ever felt God calling you into a new career, but you've been afraid to step out of your comfort zone? And how do you hold onto confidence when you're surrounded by people who seem to have more expertise and experience than you?

In this episode I talk with Rachel Pellegrino, founder of Little Lambs Books publishing company, about how to know what step to take and when, faith's role in times of transition, how to determine whether God is leading you, and how she's maintained her confidence through it all.

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode69.

• Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
• • Leaving Teaching and Starting Her Publishing House
  • Finding Mentors
  • Challenges and Rewards of Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
  • Advice for the Woman with a Book in Her Heart
  • How to Tell if God's Leading You in a New Place
• Holding on to Confidence
• Leaders are Learners

"I don't think you can ever lead well without wise counsel."

"We all have a book in us, but God has to call it out of you."

"Where I am is not where I was four years ago, and it's not where I'm going to be four years from now. But God has called me to this now."

"God has given me a brain in my head, discernment in my heart, and I'm willing to learn."

"I don't know where my confidence would be if it wasn't in Jesus."

• Little Lamb Books
• Little Lamb Instagram
• Little Lamb Facebook
• Rachel Pellegrino Facebook

Rachel Pellegrino is the founder and publisher of Little Lamb Books, an independent trade publisher of faith-based fiction and non-fiction for elementary, middle grade, and young adult readers. She is passionate about empowering parents with Christian children's literature as well as partnering with authors who write faith-based stories and providing them with a successful publishing experience. Based in Texas with her husband, kiddos, and their two dogs, Rachel talks with her hands, prefers Pepsi to coffee, and has a growing plush lamb collection. She blogs on the Little Lamb Books website and is launching her own coaching business for writers this fall.

• Esther's Website
• Holly's Website
• Instagram
• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page

This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode69.

You know that confidence is important for you as a Christian woman leader, but how do you become a confident leader? What do you need to know in order to get started?

In today's conversation, I'm sharing with you what I believe you need to know about becoming a confident leader. You'll hear about my very first experience on stage as an insecure child, and how God has transformed me from the inside out.

I'll be diving into the stages of confident leadership that I have developed, but I also discuss some of the caveats and reminders about this journey of leadership. Finally, I'll share with you what you need to do in order to take your next steps.

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode68

• What Happens When You Lack Confidence
• It's Possible to Become a Confident Leader
• Caveats about the Confident Leader Journey
• The 5 Stages of Confident Leadership

  • Stage 1: The Reluctant Leader

  • Stage 2: The Hesitant Leader

  • Stage 3: Active Leader

  • Stage 4: Purposeful Leader

  • Stage 5: Confident Leader

• Reminders About Becoming a Confident Leader

"The truth is, becoming a confident leader is a journey, and I believe for most of us, it happens in stages."

"Your stage of confident leadership does not define who you are. It is not your identity."

"Your confidence comes from God and not from yourself."

"Your leadership journey is not necessarily linear or static."

"No matter where you are at right now, remember that God loves you, has a purpose for you, and there are people ready to be impacted by YOU."

Episode 6: The Importance of Leading with Confidence

Episode 67: The 5 Reasons Confidence Makes You a More Effective Leader

• Esther's Website
• Holly's Website
• Instagram
• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page

This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode68.

Do you want to be the most effective leader possible and make a lasting impact on the world around you? If so, confidence is the key.

Over the next few weeks and months, we're going to dive into confidence along with some related issues such as communication and stepping out of your comfort zone. These are all factors that are essential in leadership, so we are going to spend some time discussing what they look like and how you can move forward in them.

In a past episode, I shared why leading with confidence is important for us as Christian women. But I did not dive deep into the specific benefits of confidence and why it will help you become a more effective leader. If you missed that episode, be sure to go back and listen to it here.

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode67.

Key Points Discussed:

• 5 Reasons Confidence Will Make You a More Effective Leader
  • Confidence impacts the people who follow you.
  • Confidence helps you make decisions more effectively
  • Confidence will help you speak up when it's uncomfortable
  • Confidence helps you to step out of your comfort zone
  • Confidence keeps you from comparison
• 2 Tips for Becoming a Confident and Effective Leader
  • Tip 1: Identify where you are at currently
  • Tip 2: Take your next step
• Free quiz to help you determine your stage of leadership

Key Quotes from the Episode:

• If you are a leader who is confident and calm, people will find it easier to follow your leadership.
• Confidence will give you an extra layer of protection from the opinions of others.
• Without confidence, it's really tough to step out of your comfort zone.
• Confidence will help you to be secure in walking the path that God has given you instead of longing to be on someone else's journey.

Episode 6: The Importance of Leading with Confidence

Episode 61: How to Stand Firm in the Face of Christian Criticism

• Esther's Website
• Holly's Website
• Instagram
• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page

This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode67.

If you've been reluctant to embrace your identity as a leader, how can you start accepting it? What's the best thing to do when you're lonely in leadership? And what are the two types of friendship you need in your life?

In this episode, Holly and I talk with pastor's wife, mom, author, and Leading and Loving It founder Lori Wilhite about her journey into leadership and how you can stay healthy as a family while you serve others. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by trying to meet everyone's expectations for you as a leader, tune in!

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode66.

Key Points Discussed:

• Lori's leadership journey
• Ways to accept your role as a leader
• The importance of friendship in leadership
• Staying connected as a family
• Advice for younger leaders

Key Quotes from the Episode:

"Once I started to refocus my energy from so much fear to purpose, it really was a game-changer for me in leadership." - Lori Wilhite

"I didn't want to be a leader. A leader seemed scary, a leader seemed a lot older than me. A leader seemed like they had it together like they knew the right answers." - Lori Wilhite

"There's validity in finding your strengths and leaning into them; there's also validity in letting God stretch your capacity." - Lori Wilhite

"The best thing we can do for each other is to just let each other know you're not alone in your struggle." - Lori Wilhite

"If you are intentional, you can have beautiful friendships in leadership." - Lori Wilhite

If you're ready to take the next step in your leadership, I want to invite you to check out the Confident Leader Club. We're open for a short time in September and I would love for you to join us for community, growth, and action towards becoming a confident leader. Head over to confidentleaderclub.com to learn more!

• Website
• Lori's Facebook
• Lori's Instagram
• Leading and Loving It Facebook
• Leading and Loving It Instagram

• Esther's Website
• Holly's Website
• Instagram
• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page

This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode66.

As a leader, you may deal with isolation in ministry. What causes that isolation, and what do you do when you feel like you have nowhere to turn? And how can you use Jesus' example to develop and maintain healthy relationships in ministry?

In this episode of our Friendship Series, I talk with pastor, writer, and podcaster Noelle Rhodes about dealing with isolation in ministry and leadership. She shares her leadership journey, which includes a period of anxiety and depression. She tells us how she got through that season and how her relationship with Jesus changed as a result.

Noelle and I also talk about the importance of friendships, vulnerability, and dealing with crisis situations in leadership. If you feel lonely as a leader, you'll gain insight and practical strategies on how to move away from isolation and toward friendship.

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode65.

Key Points Discussed:

• Noelle's leadership journey
• Noelle's struggle with anxiety and depression
• Learning to listen to Jesus
• Noelle's experience in Northern Ireland as a missionary
• Dealing with isolation in ministry
• Developing friendships in ministry
• Communicating about crisis situations
• The importance of friendships as leaders

"Sometimes the path is clear, but mostly it isn't."

"God uses everything to bring us where He is."

"The Lord was saying, 'You have to listen to me, and when you do, I'm going to provide for you.'"

"The fruit doesn't always look like numbers. The fruit looks like integrity, and honesty, and healing."

"Leadership is being willing to let others watch your life. A good leader will continually say, 'Look at me not because I have the answer, but because I'm following the answer.'"

"If you want to find true friendship, you have to be vulnerable, and you have to be consistent."

"Time is the currency of trust."

"Friendship is really about consistency."

"When you conceal the matter, it breeds confusion… when you communicate appropriately what's going on, it breeds compassion."

"If you are lonely, and you need a friend, you're going to need to create space in your life for that."

• Website
• Instagram
• Email
• Podcast

• Esther's Website
• Holly's Website
• Instagram
• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page

This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode65.