It’s Time To Woman Up!
Have you ever thought, “Why am I in this room?” Feeling out of place in leadership can make you want to run out the door! I’ve been in those rooms, seated at those tables, awkwardly tallying up the reasons I shouldn’t be there and thinking, “There are people older, wiser, more educated, more experienced, and more…MALE than me!”
In my corporate career, and then in more than 20 years of ministry experience, I have often been the only woman at the table. At times, wearing my leadership hat wasn’t just uncomfortable for me, but it was often even more uncomfortable for the people around me.
There’s a clever expression that goes something like, “If you aren’t invited to the table, go build your own table!” I read it the first time and cheered on the inside! Then I thought, “Nope, lead yourself until they pull up a chair for you!” As Proverbs 18 says, your gift will make room for you!
In my book Woman Up, I vulnerably share that the biggest hurdle I’ve had to overcome in my leadership journey isn’t the hurdle of womanhood, it’s the hurdle of myself. I’ve sometimes experienced the “glass ceiling” associated with my gender, but we can't rule out a few of the self-constructed ceilings that limit our leadership like:
1 The Feelings Ceiling – Women are complex and multi-faceted. One of the unique assets we bring to our areas of influence is our ability to add warmth and sensitivity to environments, having insight and intuition that would be missing without our involvement. But diamond-like complexity is not to be confused with being “complicated”. I have seen many people sabotage their opportunities by having meltdowns at the table or causing others to have to “walk on eggshells” around them. The discomfort caused by emotional breakdowns can keep anyone out of places where they are called to make a difference.
2 The Insecurity Ceiling – Insecurity manifests in different ways. For some who feel threatened, it causes them to become position-driven and selfishly ambitious. For others, it causes them to shrink back, thinking their voice isn’t needed. As Christian women, our security is ultimately based on realizing who we are in Christ Jesus. Paul is building us up in our identity in Christ in the first four chapters of Ephesians starting with, "For He chose us in him before the creation of the world..." Chapters 5-6 of Ephesians address our relationships – how to relate to those we live and work with. We must know who we are in Christ and walk confidently in our vertical relationship with Him so that our horizontal relationships can be the best they can be.
3 The Negativity Ceiling – Anyone can lead when things are good, but “anti-gravity leaders” rise in spite of the gravity of their circumstances. Every great leader, whether she is leading at home or at work, has had to put aside her own doubts or fears and put her game face on to lead herself and others to the winning side. As leaders, we give up the right to completely fall apart (or vent on social media) when things aren’t going our way!
As women, we know how to stand for the greatness of others. God put that attribute in us because He stands for our greatness even when we fight for our limitations! Let’s shatter every ceiling and Woman Up to His calling!
~ Pastor Lori Champion
Pastor Lori Champion's new book Woman Up will help you discover your God-given voice in leadership, relationships, and calling. Pick up a copy for you and a friend at www.lorichampion.com.
