Women of Faith in Leadership | Leading with integrity, Leadership Self-doubt, Christian Leadership, Leading with confidence, Teamwork

*Celebrating becoming a Top 3% ranked podcast globally!* Thank you for your support! In today's podcast update, I share some upcoming episodes as well as about a new series called 'Conversations about Gossip'. This series will tackle real-world examples of how gossip can hurt people, confuse people and cause big BIG problems in businesses, organisations and working environments. In the next couple of weeks, I will also be answering a listener question regarding what to do where your boss expects you to lie for them or do the wrong thing. I'll also be sharing my testimony of the work that the Lord is doing in my life to focus more on this podcast and to serve YOU ALL as women of faith in leadership! I can't wait! Have a listener question? Submit it at https://womenoffaithinleadership.com/podcast Next steps: 1. Navigate to https://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. Book your Confidence Coaching session: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/coachingcall 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

In today's episode, I share a free diagnostic tool that you can use to improve your organisation and your leadership skills. The organisational gap analysis focuses on identifying gaps regarding psychological safety in the workplace and workplace relationships. As leaders, it's our responsibility to reflect, identify the gaps and make the necessary changes. This might include an action plan with steps to follow, strategies to implement or training to attend. But it all starts with that gap analysis! If you are someone who shies away from reflection or analysing what is missing, then this gap analysis is perfect for you! The questions have been meticulously thought-out to stimulate your thinking and get you moving so that you don't have to shy away from reflection, but rather take action. CLICK HERE to access the free organisational gap analysis. 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 [email protected] 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

Last week, we discussed the first 3; go and listen to episode 66. Systems Expectations Staff performance Let’s jump into the next 3: 4. Workplace Culture This truly is a huge topic, but I’m going to break some green and red flags down for you here. 7 Green flags People care about each other People feel safe People know where they stand, their role, their expectations, there is no uncertainty Low to zero stress levels - there will be some form of stress for deadlines, projects ect. But it shouldn’t be about the everyday, it should be healthy Your voice matters, you’re able to have a say without fear of retaliation, discrimination You can be yourself (within professional boundaries of course ;-) ) Organisation is driven by values and everybody actually sticks to these values 7 Red flags High staff turnover People feel constant frustration with one another and with management People feel as if management are to blame for everything and don’t take personal responsibility There is absolutely no accountability towards anyone Performance isn’t measured or rewarded People are doing the absolutely bare minimum and others constantly feel that they are carrying the weight of that person No clear expectations, policies and procedures (SOP’s) or communication The Free organisational gap analysis will analyse it for you and give you some tips 5. Accountability What does accountability look like in your workplace? Is there any? Are people held accountable for their actions, behaviour, tardiness, lack of respect, gossiping etc. The best places to work are those that keep people accountable. I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to so many HR managers and so many of them agree, the best places are the ones who keep people accountable. These are people who have worked across multiple different sectors, big, medium and small businesses who know. No accountability = a huge gap and opportunity for organisational failure 6. Staff Training & Development This does not only include professional development. That’s important, for sure, but think about all the other missed opportunities. It starts with onboarding, what does that look like, are you seizing the opportunity to set that person up for success during onboarding? Then what happens after, are they just left to the wolves? Or to fend for themselves when it comes to learning and training. Or what does this look like in your organisation? Personal goals Annual goals Annual training Training days Professional development and training days Have a listener question? Submit it at https://womenoffaithinleadership.com/podcast Next steps: 1. Navigate to https://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. Book your Confidence Coaching session: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/coachingcall 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

Let’s discuss a healthy workplace environment. Let’s flip the coin and look at the positive today. These 6 characteristics were developed through lived experience and my conversations with others. If even one of these areas is out of whack, you’ll notice something isn’t quite right. 1. Systems What systems do you have in place to ensure a healthy work environment? Having a healthy work environment is not all about how people feel. It’s about the structures you put in place to support them to do their jobs properly. Think about your: Interviews Onboarding Job descriptions Probation periods Policies and Procedures (SOP’s) Performance management Resignation process and period (how are people treated during these periods) Communication methods Client management Staff management (HR) Are these updated regularly or are they old and outdated, so no one uses them? Systems form the foundation of any business, no matter how big or how small. Without effective and efficient systems, you are setting yourself and your employees up for failure. Activity: Audit your systems, decide what needs updating! The free diagnostic tool will also give you suggestions on what you can do to make improvements. 2. Expectations What are the expectations of employees, leadership team, heads of departments, the CEO, etc? Are there any? How is this communicated? When is it communicated? How often is it communicated? Are staff expected to stay up to date with expectations with no communication from anyone? How are staff expected to give their best, if they don’t know what is expected of them? Again, you are setting your employees up for failure if you fail to communicate. Suggestions: Verbal and in writing, why because of various learning styles. Some people learn or understand better with verbal, some with writing, some need both. If you’ve had a conversation with someone, follow it up with an email, always! Get them to reply back to say they acknowledge it. 3. Staff Performance How are staff performance measured? Is it measured at all? Are there annual performance reviews and what is this measured against? Are staff given the opportunity to work towards an annual goal that they have chosen, something that will be motivating to them to want to achieve. Are they rewarded for exceptional performance? Here we’re looking at the positive and the constructive or even the negative. What happens to a staff member if they stay performing poorly, or even have a behavioural problem? What the processes (they systems!) that you have in place to manage this. Or, will you also fall into the category where there is no process and the employee, gets away with their behaviour and makes it into a toxic workplace for everyone else If staff performance isn’t managed, then the performance, will essentially manage the business. You are only as strong as your weakest link! So, what are you doing about that weakest link? Have a listener question? Submit it at https://womenoffaithinleadership.com/podcast Next steps: 1. Navigate to https://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. Book your Confidence Coaching session: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/coachingcall 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

Today, I’ll tackle a tricky topic: gossip in the church. The one thing that I love about going to church is the fellowship. Talking freely with other Christians while enjoying a coffee or tea while the kids play. It’s nice. And then, if you’re lucky, you get to attend a weekly small group meeting where 5-10 people usually come together to either unpack the sermon of the week or to learn about and unpack a new topic. However, it’s in this fellowship that gossip can become an issue. Satan will try and find a way to interject himself into Godly conversations and one way he does this is through gossip. …………………..………………….. One way that gossip masks itself is through concern. Let’s use Sue as an example (fictional of course) Sue might know someone who is going through a tough time and then share her concern with others, causing people to talk about that person. Or Sue might know a piece of confidential information that someone might have shared with her and then share that with others by asking them to pray for that person. Inadvertently, Sue is creating a gossip culture, where no one in the church can feel safe anymore because they can’t share any concerns with people they trust, for fear that it would be shared with others “out of concern” or because that person asked others to pray for them. …………………..………………….. Another way that gossip can mask itself is through the judgement and/or so called “empathy” towards others. I’ve always found it super interesting that Christians, in general, are so super judgemental of others when Jesus himself came and broke all thought patterns about judging others. And I’m 1000% including myself in this discussion, because I have found myself very guilty of this. When someone does something that we know is sinful or specifically mentioned in the bible as a no-go-zone, then we are quick to judge them, and it becomes a topic of discussion with others. "Oh, have you heard that Sue’s teenage daughter is pregnant? Isn’t it just such a shame? Sue must be so embarrassed." Or "/have you heard the sad news that Sue and Jo are getting a divorce? It’s such a shame, isn’t it? I feel so sorry for Sue, because rumour has it that Jo cheated on her." So, we’re talking about others, seemingly feeling sorry for them, but in actual fact we’re gossiping. …………………..………………….. Church communities can be small communities and the thing we know about communities is that there will always be people who love to know what is going on in the community with other people. So what can we as leaders in the church do about this? Is it even your duty to do something about this? Or should it just be the main leader, the pastor who as a duty of care? No, I don’t believe it should be. I believe that God gave all of us the ability to speak up, to say no to gossip and to not stand for it. …………………..………………….. What does the bible say about gossip? Go and listen to episode 4 where I discuss in full what the bible says about gossip. Proverbs 18:21 reads: “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences” The Bible, both the Old and the New Testament, warns strongly against gossip and the effect that your words and your tongue can have. God, however, doesn’t leave us in the lurch and say, “Figure it out by yourself”. No, in true God-style, He gives us the tools, “the antidote” if you will, for dealing with gossip and for dealing with the gossipers. …………………..………………….. Ephesians 4:32 “Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God through Christ has forgiven you. This verse requests that we be kind to each other, and tender-hearted (which according to Webster dictionary means compassionate) Forgive the person, just like Christ has forgiven you. …………………..………………….. Proverbs 17:9 says, “He who covers over an offence promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Basically, stop the gossip with you, don’t spread it any further. You can make the choice to not gossip anymore if this is an issue for you. ……………………………. Proverbs 20:19 tells us, “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much As a leader, it is crucial that we do not betray someone’s trust. Whatever is said to you should remain confidential, unless it’s life-threatening and you are compelled to speak up to another leader, but do not utter a word to anyone else. Do not fall in that trap. ……………………………. Lastly 1 Timothy 18:15-18 reads: “If another believer sins against, you, go privately and point out the offence. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you may say be confirmed by two or three witnesses. In a church environment, this would translate to going directly to that person and asking them to stop spreading rumours and gossiping …………………..………………….. The main things that I would like you to take away from today’s podcast is: Take gos

This is the final episode of the 4-part series, let’s have a chat about the importance of community. Surrounding yourself with “your” people, people who get you, accept you, love you, just the way you are, is very important for a healthy self-image and building your self-confidence. When you’re in your comfort zone, doing what you love, with the people you love, you tend to loosen up and just be yourself. No judgement! It means that you can gain in your self-confidence because you don’t even have to try! You just do. But that’s not the only community that can support you. Depending on your working environment and the workplace culture, you’ll hopefully be surrounding by people who are cheering for you to do well. Unfortunately, it is a reality that not all workplaces are like this. Yesterday, I saw a shocking post on LinkedIn encouraging people to not share anything about their personal lives with their colleagues because they’ll only hold it against them. I immediately responded and said that I disagreed, it’s not about your colleagues, it’s about your workplace culture. That’s what needs fixing. So, if you’re stuck in a place where you can’t be yourself, share about yourself at your workplace out of fear of the consequences, or you’re in a workplace where they’re not cheering you on, it is vital that you seek community elsewhere. It could be at home, yes, but at Sports club Art club Music lessons Karate lessons Whatever you like to do but participating in a sport or in anything in your community, is another vital part of building your own self-confidence and believing in yourself and that you are an amazing human being. My final reminder is this: Remember that the Almighty God in Heaven made you! Luke 12:7: And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of Sparrows. Psalm 139 For the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. 5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! 7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave,[a] you are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— 12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me,[b] O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! 19 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! 20 They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. 21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? 22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. 139:8 Hebrew to Sheol. 139:17 Or How precious to me are your thoughts. Have a listener question? Submit it at https://womenoffaithinleadership.com/podcast Next steps: 1. Navigate to https://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. Book your Confidence Coaching session: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/coachingcall 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

We’re in the middle of a series, gaining confidence in your own abilities. In the previous 2 episodes, we discussed spiritual growth and personal development and how this can help you gain confidence. This episode will discuss how professional development can help you gain confidence. It’s no secret that when you want to learn a new skill, you’re highly likely to Google the ‘how to’ or if it’s a skill you need for work, you’ll attend a course or training program to learn that new skill. YouTube is a common one for us as well. But does it really have merit? Can you really gain confidence by attending professional training or development? I think this one is debatable and depends how you want to look at it. If you don’t have confidence in your own abilities because you lack a certain skill set, then yes, you can absolutely go and gain the book knowledge for it. Hence the reason why some companies/careers also require certain qualifications. They hold merit for sure. However, if you lack confidence, because of a lack of experience, then I say embrace it! Find ways to gain experience, seek them out. Don’t wait for them to just miraculously happen. Seek them out. Ask your line manager to keep you in mind for the next project or volunteer somewhere during your time off. The only way to gain experience, is to do the thing that you want to gain experience in. An example of this for me was project management. I was leading a department and I had to run multiple projects. I knew absolutely nothing about successful project management. I had 2 options: Go and study about it - get the book knowledge (which would have helped a lot! Now that I’ve done project management my MBA, I see the real value in in) Learn from others and gain the experience. I chose the latter. I asked my line manager to include me in any future projects, or at least to keep me abreast so that I can learn from the best. Professional development doesn’t always have to be a course or a training or something that you can prove on paper you did. This is how we have been made to believe it is. Professional development can happen by learning from your peers, your line managers, other departments. The most important thing is that you continue developing, professionally. As soon as you become stagnant and think “I’ve made it”. Then be worried, be very worried. So, continue your learning, continue your professional development and continue gaining confidence in your own abilities. You are amazing because our one true God made you, formed you in your mother’s womb, he knows you by name, he knows how many hairs there are on your head. He loves you. I hope you are blessed by this. I will chat with you all again next week. Have a listener question? Submit it at https://womenoffaithinleadership.com/podcast Next steps: 1. Navigate to https://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. Book your Confidence Coaching session: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/coachingcall 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

This is part 2 of our series: Gaining confidence in your own abilities. Today, we are discussing personal development. Personal development will look different for each and every one of us out there. Because we're all unique and different. In this episode, I discuss with you the steps you need to follow to gain confidence in your own abilities through personal development. 1. Reflection - reflect on why you have a lack of confidence in a certain area. If it's related to an historic event for example where someone said something about you, then ask yourself, is it true? If it's true, then do you need to do something about it to change that, like further study, speak to someone or practice those skills. If it's not true, then you need to let it go! 2. Learning - What learning do you have to do or engage in to learn more so that you can gain confidence is the thing that's holding you back? 3. Practice - Practice your new skill. You won't gain confidence by only participating in learning or listening to this podcast for example, you need to go and do the thing. 4. Feedback - Gain feedback from others so that you can improve where you still need to. 5. Get out of your comfort zone! Have a listener question? Submit it at https://womenoffaithinleadership.com/podcast Next steps: 1. Navigate to https://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. Book your Confidence Coaching session: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/coachingcall 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

The world can make us feel like failures… people can make us feel like failures, but we are capable of anything in Christ! In this 4-part series, I’ll discuss with you how you can gain confidence in your abilities and stop feeling like a failure, stop feeling like you’re not good enough and start believing that through Christ, you can do anything you set your mind to. We all have a story of how we came to God, whether it was a long time ago or recent. But just like any relationship, you can’t grow in that relationship if: It’s only one-sided You don’t spend time together You don’t listen to one another You fight all the time So too, in our relationship with God, we can’t grow, if we don’t treat the relationship, like a relationship. 6 Ways to grow spiritually and in your relationship with God: Spend time in the word with God. If you don’t know where to start, choose a bible reading plan on the YouVersion Bible App. Or Get a study bible that will take you through the passages and explain them to you. Spend time talking to God - praying, talking to Him and listening to sermons are some ways in which you can spend time with Him Fellowship - growing with others by your side is a really amazing way to grow spiritually and you experience and feel different things in your relationship with God, when you are with others. Standing up for your faith - a tough one, but the more you stand up for your faith, the more confident you grow as well. Sharing/living your faith - with your children, with others around you and sharing when people ask, invite people to church with you, give people bibles Praise and worship - there is something about praise and worship that just connects my soul directly with the Lord. Taking the time to praise him and worship him and thanking him for what he has done, for who He is and for what is to come, grows you spiritually with the Lord. Stay tuned, in the next couple of episodes, I’ll be chatting with you about: Episode 62: Personal growth Episode 63: Professional development Episode 64: Community Support and how you can use these to gain confidence in your own abilities. 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 [email protected] 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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!

In the next 3 weeks, I'll be resharing 3 of your favourite episodes. In today's rerun, I'm sharing one of the very first and most favourite episodes: "What is workplace culture and why should you care about it?" In this episode, I discuss what workplace culture 'really' is, why it is so important and why you should care about it... a lot! Workplace culture consists of 2 things: The relationships between people The things that people do 1. The relationships between people Ask yourself the following reflective questions: What are the relationships like at your workplace? Do people show respect to each other, or do they disrespect each other? Do people have healthy debates or constantly engage in unhealthy conflict that has no resolve? Do people have fixed or growth mindsets? How do people cope with change in the organisation? What is communication like in your workplace? The relationships we have with one another at work affect our workplace culture. If there is a lack of respect for each other, a lack of trust, a lack of compassion and a lack of caring for each other, workplace culture will suffer. However, on the other hand, if people respect each other, trust each other, have compassion towards each other and truly care for each other, workplace culture will thrive. 2. The things that people do What are the unwritten rules at your workplace or organisation? What are unwritten rules? Unwritten rules in the workplace, often referred to as workplace norms or informal codes of conduct, are a set of expectations and behaviours that employees follow, even though they are not explicitly documented in company policies or formal guidelines. These unwritten rules shape the work culture and influence how employees interact with each other and perform their job duties. So, think about what the unwritten rules in your workplace are. What things do people do, that are potentially unacceptable, but because everyone does it, no one cares and there are no consequences? For example, lunch breaks. Does everyone return to work on time after their lunch break, or do they simply take their time? After all, no one cares, and their line managers never speak to them about returning late. This mindset can quickly spill over into other job tasks and therefore productivity and ultimately the company's bottom line will suffer. In this episode, I discuss 4 steps that you can follow to commence changing workplace culture in your workplace. 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. Let's Connect On LinkedIn On Facebook

Hi amazing ladies of God! In this episode I share a bit of my personal struggle with boundaries and why I have felt it important to take a short break from the podcast. However... I'll be re-running 3 of your favourite episodes over the next 3 weeks, while I take a break (it's school holidays here and my hubby will have time off as well). Join the Community In the meantime, I'd absolutely love to stay connected with you. There are 2 options: 1. The Facebook Community - Click here to join 2. The brand-new WhatsApp Community - Click here to join Alternatively fill out this survey and let me know where you'd prefer to hang out together - Click here to fill out the survey Free Downloads RESPECT Framework Workplace Gossip Risk Assessment Workplace Culture Survey - For your team The Tuckman Model - 5 stages every team will navigate, over and over again Does your team have a gossip problem? Take the quiz and find out! Let's Connect on LinkedIn

As leaders, we have to be so mindful about our words, what we say and get involved in. The NLT Study bible calls the following behaviour 'death-dealing': lies arguments insults slander gossip rumours flattery bragging belittling As leaders, we also have influence over our team and our peers. We have to be extremely mindful of what we say and be so careful not to get involved in things that can cause others to mistrust us. I hope you enjoy today's episode. Freebies Workplace Gossip Risk Assessment Workplace Culture Survey 7 Steps to eradicate workplace gossip 5 Phases every team will navigate Let's Connect On LinkedIn On Facebook

Today, I have with me a very special guest, Anita Anello. Anita has spent many years in the corporate world and reached the top of the ladder and asked herself, "Is this it?". Anita had more in mind for her life and with the support of her husband, they prepared for her to leave her corporate job and move into entrepreneurship. Anita shares valuable insights on dealing with toxic workplace culture, advice from previous leaders and so much more! You definitely want to grab your favourite beverage, a notebook and pen and sit back and listen. Links mentioned in the episode: Be a guest on the show - Email [email protected] The Gap and the Gain Book - The Gap and the Gain: The High Achievers Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success : Sullivan, Dan: Amazon.com.au: Books Connect with Anita: https://www.therippleaffect.net/ Anita Anello | LinkedIn Free Resources: Free Resources (therippleaffect.net) Connect with Rika On Facebook On LinkedIn

Celebrating 50 episodes! Thank you for listening! Today I'm celebrating 50 episodes on the podcast and it wouldn't be possible without all the amazing women of faith who and listen and support me weekly. To celebrate, I have a surprise for you in the episode, can you spot what's new? _________________ In today's episode, we're talking heart-to-heart about leading through tough times. As leaders we're role models and it can be tough to lead through tough times and still be a role-model to others. Jesus was the perfect role-model to us when he led through the toughest times of his life. But... the beauty is... He never did it alone! He gathered the troops, and they were with him. You are not alone in this! Listen in as God speaks through me a message for you today. _________________ Join the Community Click here to join the community on Facebook SURVEY Where do you hang out (on which platform?). Click here to let me know.

Kindness is not a weakness! In another Godly download, I share with you how you can lead with kindness in your workplace. Jesus was a great example to us as a leader and He led with kindness at all times. As women of faith in leadership, we have the most amazing opportunity to: mentor our coach and our team change the trajectories of our team's lives change our team's perspective of leadership be remembered as the leader who cared. I cannot wait for you to listen to this episode and share your thoughts with me. LET'S CONNECT On Facebook: Women of Faith in Leadership Community On LinkedIn: Rika Whelan 1 QUESTION SURVEY Fill it out now

In this episode, we talk about praying for your team. Should we pray for our team members as leaders? And what should we pray? Should we pray for them to change? Should you pray for their souls to be saved? In this episode, the Lord shows us that we are more like Jesus than we know or think. Jesus was a leader to His disciples and although there were so many things that the disciples did that Jesus could have been really disappointed with or He could have scolded them... He didn't. He loved them, he was kind and most of all, He prayed for them. Pray that the Lord will use you as an instrument to lead your team. Pray that the Lord will show you and guide you to lead your team like Jesus did. Lean back and trust in the Lord, ask Him today for your daily bread and trust Him for today. As women we often suffer from imposter syndrome, and we believe that we are not worthy and that we are not good enough. God has a message for you today... you are good enough! You are worthy! You are not an imposter, because He chose you! You are His daughter. And He has chosen you for a time like this. Lean back, trust Him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and all your spirit and all your mind. I trust that this episode will bless you as much as it blessed me. LET'S CONNECT On Facebook: Women of Faith in Leadership Community CONNECTION SURVEY - Where would you like to connect? Vote in this 1 question poll here

Have you ever considered engaging a mentor or coach to support you in your leadership role? Perhaps your line manager is your mentor or someone else at work? In a recent article, Forbes magazine said, “Having a mentor is more than just setting and achieving goals; it's about having someone in your corner who can provide valuable feedback, encouragement and support to help you grow both professionally and personally.” So, in this episode, I’d like to discuss the topic of engaging a faith-aligned mentor. The bible shows us that mentorship is not a new concept. We can see that there were many mentor/mentee relationships in the bible: Jethro mentored Moses. Moses mentored Joshua and the elders of Israel. And Joshua mentored the other remaining leaders of his army. Eli mentored Samuel. Samuel mentored Saul and David. Ahithophel and Nathan the prophet also mentored David. David became Israel's greatest king. David mentored his army commanders and government officials to establish the united nation of Israel. David also mentored Solomon. Solomon mentored the Queen of Sheba, who returned to her people with his wisdom in the form of Proverbs that applied God's laws. Elijah mentored Elisha. Elisha mentored king Jehoash and others. Daniel mentored Nebuchadnezzar, who humbled himself before God. Mordecai mentored Esther. Esther mentored King Artaxerxes, which led to the liberation of God's people. Priscilla and Aquila mentored Apollos, and this resulted in a much-improved ministry for Apollos. And finally, Jesus mentored the twelve apostles who established the Christian church. The apostles mentored hundreds of other leaders, including Paul. Paul mentored Titus, Timothy, and many others." (Extract from Lifeway) Enjoy the episode as I discuss ways of engaging a faith-aligned mentor and ensuring it's the right person to mentor you. NEXT STEPS: Connect with me on LinkedIn Join the Facebook Community

What should or could you do, when one of your employees is not actually the problem at work, but rather a fellow leader or even your line manager or 2-up? In this episode, I'll discuss with you my first-hand experience of dealing with a situation like this and suggest some ways that you can go about solving this problem. Being in a leadership role can be tough. We have multiple different challenges every single day and problems that we have to solve. We're also pushed out of our comfort zone often! One of those uncomfortable situations, could be having a crucial or tough conversation with someone. We often avoid having tough conversations because we don't know how the other person is going to react. But their reaction is on them... it's not your responsibility. What you can control and what is your responsibility is your actions, your words and controlling your emotions. 1. Make an appointment to speak with this person 2. Prepare well, write down some key words or phrases that you can take with you (in case you freeze up) 3. Approach the person calmly, instead of going in guns blazing ready to defend and attack. 4. Address the issue as a collective issue, saying that you are concerned for the gossip culture and that other employees are worried as well. Ask them if they would be able to commit to creating a gossip-free culture and share with them the RESPECT Framework (Listen to episode 46 for more information) to get rid of gossip. 5. If they get defensive, state the facts. stick to the facts and do not take it personal. It's personal to them, not to you. 6. Follow up after the meeting 7. Get other leaders, line managers involved and committed to a gossip-free environment. Mentioned in the Episode John Maxwell - 360° Leadership (from Amazon) Let's Connect On LinkedIn Join the Private Facebook group community Receive the weekly newsletter Free Downloads RESPECT Framework - a 7 step framework for eradicating workplace gossip Workplace Gossip Risk Assessment Workplace Culture Survey - For your team The Tuckman Model - 5 stages every team will navigate, over and over again

In this episode, I share with you a 7-step framework for eradicating workplace gossip. If you want to create an environment where everyone respects each other, where employees have a growth mindset, are productive, love coming to work and your workplace is an overall joy to be in, you need to take the necessary steps to eradicate workplace gossip. It can be difficult to confront employees who gossip, but I have made it simple for you with this 7-step framework. To download a free copy of the framework, click here. From Gossip to Growth Program Join the 'From Gossip to Growth' program where we'll go into each step of the framework during a 2-day intensive workshop on Zoom. I'll also provide you with all the templates, documents and scripts you need as part of this process. Click here to join the program. Join the Women of Faith in Leadership Community Click here to join us on Facebook. Connect with me on LinkedIn Click here to connect.

When building high-performing teams, we frequently focus on traditional indicators of success. However, a critical yet often overlooked aspect is the team's resilience to gossip. Cultivating gossip-resilient teams is essential for achieving true high performance in the workplace. Teams need to be able to withstand gossip, no matter if it's because of a new employee, someone having a slip-up (they can 100% happen when we're having a bad day) or for another reason. In this episode I discuss 10 ways that you can build a gossip-resilient team. ................................................ ANNOUNCEMENT: I am currently enrolling students for the beta program (the first cohort) of my brand-new program From Gossip to Growth where you'll learn the exact steps you need to follow to eradicate workplace gossip! As a member of the beta program, you will receive 90% discount on the program! All that I ask for is for feedback on the program and a review of the program itself. The beta program will run on 5-6 February 2024 and you can find more information on gossiptogrowth.com. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the program.

How can you ensure that new employees don’t gossip? Imagine this, you have a completely gossip-free environment, a positive company culture, and great team communication and then… a new employee comes along and ruins it. Within weeks of them starting in your department/organisation, you notice a drastic decline in team morale, there’s misunderstanding upon misunderstanding. You decide to ignore it because they must still be fitting in and you had such a great interview with this new employee, you feel you just want to give them a fair chance. What would you do? According to the Tuckman model (listen to episode 13 for more information here), all teams will go through a storming phase when a new employee comes along as they learn to work together. However, when does this become concerning? When it comes to gossip and negative attitudes and spread to other employees, you should always take it seriously and ensure you speak to your team, no matter how short or long they’ve been there, no matter what they’re working through in their personal lives, gossip and negative attitudes should not be taken lightly. It can cause a lot of damage in a very short amount of time, and you’ll have to spend a significant amount of time repairing the damage. So how can you ensure that this doesn’t happen? You gossip-proof your onboarding process. Listen to the episode as I discuss 8 ways to gossip-proof your onboarding process. …………………………………….. Register now (obligation-free) to learn more about the upcoming program ‘From Gossip to Growth’ launching in 2024. …………………………………….. Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch Click Here …………………………………….. Let's Connect 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. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

In this interview, Stefanie Gass shares 10 ways that you can include faith in your leadership. Stefanie Gass shares amazing insights from the bible regarding leadership and shares super tactical tips and wisdom from her leadership journey. Who is Stefanie Gass? Stefanie Gass is a Christian business and podcast coach, boundary boss, and multi-six-figure CEO. She helps women grow their online businesses and make money online, using podcasting. She is the host of a top 20 globally ranked business podcast, Online Business for Christian Women. She believes it's possible to partner with God to create income and impact without sacrificing your family, faith, or buying into the social media hustle. Stefanie Gass is a Christian business and podcast coach, boundary boss, and multi-six-figure CEO. She helps women grow their online businesses and make money online, using podcasting. She is the host of a top 20 globally ranked business podcast, Online Business for Christian Women. She believes it's possible to partner with God to create income and impact without sacrificing your family, faith, or buying into the social media hustle. Connect with Stefanie Gass Podcast: Online Business for Christian Women Website: stefaniegass.com Your 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. Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information Contribute to my new book! Contribute to my new book 'From Gossip to Growth' and get a free digital copy when it is released. I am conducting research which I will be included in my upcoming book. I'd appreciate it if you could take 5 minutes to fill out this survey. Thank you! Click here to fill out the survey

Happy New Year friend! I hope that this year will be a super blessed year for you. If you haven’t done so already, listen to episode 40 where I prayed for you for all the things God pressed on my heart to pray for you. Let’s talk about organisational values, what are your organisation’s values? What message do they communicate and do staff know this message? Your organisation's values On a piece of paper, or on your phone, write down your organisation’s values. If you don’t know them, pause me now, go to your organisation’s website and look it up. If I go and work there, would I actually find that these values are true, lived out, used, or are they just some words on a piece of paper or on a logo. Top 20 values organisation hold in 2023 The top 20 values that organisations hold is: Integrity Accountability Humility Respect Teamwork Diversity Curiosity Leadership Courage Honesty Collaboration Creativity Innovation Passion Simplicity Operate ethically Commitment Constant improvement Democracy Inclusion How can an organisation's values be true? For an organisation’s value to be true, it needs to be embodied by every single person working there. For every single person to embody it, they need to truly understand what each value means, to the organisation but also to them as an individual. Why were these values chosen in the first place, have these values ever changed and what’s the value behind the values? Why are values chosen? Organisations often choose values at the beginning, because this is what they would like their organisation to stand for, however, it ultimately will boil down to the people who work there, the people who the organisation have chosen to work there. Employing new staff Every single time when you employ a person, you are taking a risk and hope that they will embody the organisation’s values. If the values are clearly communicated during the interview process, and then if you feel they meet or don’t meet those values, our decision should also be based on this, not only knowledge or qualifications. The person might be perfect for the role, but if they won’t embody the values or their values don’t match up, it’s not a good fit. Ask scenario questions. What is somebody’s stance on integrity, humility, accountability. Give them a scenario about ethics, how would they behave? How about when you joined? Think about when you joined the organisation, how did you find out about the values? Was it clearly communicated to you, do people speak about it often, are strategic decisions based on these values, or are they just some dusty words on a banner or logo? The organisation's values The fact of the matter is if no one knows the values, how can the organisation be known for these values and trusted by customers to live out these values. For every single person to embody the organisation’s values, they need to truly understand what each value means. What does it mean to the organisation and what is the expectation for the values to be embodied. Everyone’s experiences, backgrounds are different. Respect might mean 1 thing in 1 culture, but another thing in another culture. What does the value mean to the organisation? What does it mean to you as an individual and how will you be expected to embody that value? Why were the values chosen in the first place? Have these values changed over the years and why? What the value behind the values? Often, when organisations fail to communicate their values to their employees, especially it it’s not part of the induction process, employees don’t know where the boundary lines are and they will cross it. For example, if the value of the organisation is accountability, but there are absolutely no accountability processes, procedures, mechanisms or strategies in place, employees will push the boundaries because they know they won’t be held accountable. Another example, if the value of the organisation is to operate ethically, but leaders are constantly showing unethical behaviour, scamming customers etc. then employees will push the boundaries, because they know that they don’t have to behave ethically themselves. Yes, we can hold personal values and stand up against unethical behaviour, but if the whole business is running unethically, you’ll have a hard time working there. You’ll probably end up leaving and ensure the next organisation you work for, do in fact act ethically. So, the question then is, does your organisation’s values mean anything to employees? If not, what needs to change? What influence can you have on those at the top. Listen to episode 39 as I shared ways you can influence up. What solutions will you offer? Sometimes you might not be in a position to change the values, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work with your team, to start living out the values with your team. Exciting things happening in 2024! Launching new book Launching a new program that goes a long with the book Talking a lot more about gossip and creating awareness Please ensure you a

Merry Christmas! In this very last episode of 2023, I break down some amazing numbers: - How many downloads have the podcast have - What are the top 3 episodes since the podcast launched in September 2023 - Where in the world are all our listeners from? - Rankings Then, we end the episode with prayer for 2024. You don't want to miss it. .................................. Please leave a review for the podcast on Apple Podcast here. .................................. Join the Women of Faith in Leadership Community on Facebook. Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information.

You’ve tried to implement new strategies, new techniques, and things you’ve learnt from professional development, or even from this podcast… but, you’re still stuck. You can’t seem to create the change that is required... It could potentially be your organisation's process that is letting you down. It can be really frustrating if you’re trying your very best to implement change, but there are no back-end processes, policies, procedures or a code of conduct to back you up. There’s no clear-cut performance management process and no annual reviews. These are all things that can let you down when trying to implement change. Listen as I discuss 7 steps you can follow to implement change in your organisation and influence those above you who make the decisions. Links mentioned in the podcast episode: 1. Become a beta tester for the new From Gossip to Growth online course: email me 'Beta Tester' in the subject line at [email protected] and I'll send you more information. 2. Join the waitlist for the From Gossip to Growth Program HERE. …………………………………….. Check out the upcoming training ‘From Gossip to Growth’. Download the brochure HERE. …………………………………….. Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch Click Here …………………………………….. 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 [email protected] 4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

***Podcast Announcement*** As of 11 December 2023, I'll be going down to 1 episode a week. This supports my belief in setting healthy boundaries, which is also a pillar of this podcast. I am excited to launch my new Gossip to Growth (G2G) Program in 2024, including an online course, a virtual program and a book. To do this well, I need the time to invest and to make sure that it is 100% before its release. .............................. In this episode, I'll be delving into 5 myths/limiting beliefs about workplace gossip that might be holding you back from dealing with workplace gossip. Grab a notebook and pen and let's bust some myths! …………………………………….. Register now (obligation free) to learn more about the upcoming program ‘From Gossip to Growth’ launching in 2024. …………………………………….. Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch Click Here …………………………………….. 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 [email protected] 4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

Buckle your seatbelts, this episode is on fire! Today I sat down with Deb Field and discussed workplace culture and leadership. Who is Deb Field? Deb is a seasoned professional who has been creating, shaping, and transforming businesses for decades. She is a life coach and business consultant with a passion for sustainable health – in life, relationships, and business. Deb has worked for many large corporations, entrepreneurs, and medium-scale manufacturing organisations. She knows the power of a positive culture and actively works ‘with’ people to create incredible results. Connect with Deb: Via email: [email protected] On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debfieldonline/ …………………………………….. Attend a FREE introductory training on taking your team 'From Gossip to Growth' Click Here …………………………………….. Register now (obligation free) to learn more about the upcoming program ‘From Gossip to Growth’ launching in 2024. …………………………………….. Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch 'From Gossip to Growth' Click Here …………………………………….. 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 [email protected] 4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

Ooh... it's the big scary word "Performance Management". Is someone in your team not performing the way they should? Not meeting their KPIs or just not doing their job? What should you do and what are the steps to follow leading up to performance management? In this episode, I'll discuss the pre-performance management steps and conversations as well as the exact steps to follow to performance manage a staff member, without feeling like you're poking the bear! Get a pen and notebook handy, and don't forget that coffee! …………………………………….. Register now (obligation free) to learn more about the upcoming program ‘From Gossip to Growth’ launching in 2024. …………………………………….. Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch Click Here …………………………………….. 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 updated 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 [email protected] 4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

Have you been wondering what is the point of doing Annual Performance Reviews (APRs) and whether you should be doing them or not? In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of APRs. Ever wondered, 'Should you do APRs?' We're not just answering that, but we're also unpacking a foolproof, step-by-step process for implementing APRs. Whether you're already on the APR train or haven't hopped aboard yet, this episode is your guide to mastering the art of APR implementation! …………………………………….. Register now (obligation free) to learn more about the upcoming program ‘From Gossip to Growth’ launching in 2024. …………………………………….. Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch Click Here …………………………………….. 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 [email protected] 4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

What does goal setting currently look like in your workplace? Many years ago, I had to sit in a meeting with my boss, listening to basically everything I did wrong and then turn that into goals for the following year. This is the way that most companies or organisations set goals with their team. Leaders believe it's their job to identify what their team members need to improve on and then get them to set goals on that… In this episode, I’m going to teach you an alternative method to set goals with your team, goals that they actually want to achieve, with minimal effort on your part! Let’s do it! …………………………………….. Free ‘From Gossip to Growth’ 1-hour workshop: Register here …………………………………….. Register now (obligation free) to learn more about the upcoming program ‘From Gossip to Growth’ launching in 2024. …………………………………….. Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch Click Here …………………………………….. 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, simply email me at [email protected] 4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

In this episode, I discuss leadership, the joys and the challenges with Lindy Langner. Lindy also provides advice for new leaders. Listen now. …………………………………….. Free ‘From Gossip to Growth’ 1-hour workshop: Register here …………………………………….. Register now (obligation free) to learn more about the upcoming program ‘From Gossip to Growth’ launching in 2024. …………………………………….. Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch Click Here .......................................... 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, simply email me at [email protected] 4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

**Join my book launch team!** I am launching my book at the end of the year and I am looking for as many people as possible to join my launch team. In exchange, I will send you a free copy of my ebook. All that you will need to do on launch day, is to post a 5-star review on Amazon and share the launch posts (from my socials) to your socials. That's it! Included in the ebook, is also a free training that you can access exclusively for people who buy the book! CLICK HERE to join my launch team. I will send you all the relevant information via email. .......................................... In this episode, I discuss the 6 C's of workplace culture. Communication Collaboration Clarity Consistency Camaraderie Caring Listen, as I give practical examples and tips on how you can manage and implement each of these 6 C's. ................................. Free ‘From Gossip to Growth’ 1-hour workshop: Register here .......................................... Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch Click Here .......................................... 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, simply email me at [email protected] 4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

**Join my book launch team!** I am launching my book at the end of the year and I am looking for as many people as possible to join my launch team. In exchange, I will send you a free copy of my ebook. All that you will need to do on launch day, is to post a 5-star review on Amazon and share the launch posts (from my socials) to your socials. That's it! Included in the ebook, is also a free training that you can access exclusively for people who buy the book! CLICK HERE to join my launch team. I will send you all the relevant information via email. .......................................... Creating a feedback culture is important because we want to create teams that fail forward, learn from their mistakes and then improve their performance due to feedback. If your team gets defensive when you provide feedback, then you know you have a feedback-problem. Let's get to work! Here are 5 ways that you can create a feedback culture (listen to the episode for full details): Foster Open Communication Lead by Example Provide Timely Feedback Make it Constructive and Specific Implement Feedback Tools Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch Click Here 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, simply email me at [email protected] 4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information. I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

**Join my book launch team!** I am launching my book at the end of the year and I am looking for as many people as possible to join my launch team. In exchange, I will send you a free copy of my ebook. All that you will need to do on launch day, is to post a 5-star review on Amazon and share the launch posts (from my socials) to your socials. That's it! Included in the ebook, is also a free training that you can access exclusively for people who buy the book! CLICK HERE to join my launch team. I will send you all the relevant information via email. .......................................... Let's get to today's episode: Everyone listening to this podcast probably falls into 1 of the following categories: You’ve noticed that there is gossip in the workplace and you have spoken to your team or certain people multiple times about gossiping but it simply doesn’t stop You’ve noticed that there is gossip, but you’re simply too busy to deal with it, so you do nothing You’ve noticed that there is gossip, but you actually don’t know how to deal with it and you’re afraid of conflict, you don’t want to ruffle up some feathers, so you just leave it You’ve noticed that there is gossip, but you’re just annoyed by it, seriously these people are adults, can’t they just stop being so childish and just get on with their work?! You ignore it and you carry on You’ve not noticed any gossip, to be honest, you’ve been a little bit too busy, but you’ve heard from other leaders that it’s becoming a problem, but you continue to ignore it, you’re too busy! Which category do you fall in?! The "I’m fed up, I’ve tried everything category", the “I’m too busy category, or the "I know it’s a problem but I don’t know what to do about it" category? In today’s episode, I want to talk to you about how you can take your team from gossip to growth with my new upcoming program "From Gossip to Growth" Not too long ago, I was in your shoes, whether that was not knowing what to do, feeling helpless or frustrated, and also feeling determined as a leader to get rid of gossip. I have seen it all. I was once part of the problem where I too gossiped. I then became the subject of everyone’s gossip as the newbie or outsider at a new workplace, and I was a leader, who took over from another leader where gossip was rampant and I had to do something about it. So what did I do? Well, through trial and error and learning the hard way, I successfully got rid of gossip and kept it that way for the full time that I was still working there, obviously I am not there anymore, so I can’t speak for how it is today, but through my learning and trial and error I have created a system that has not only worked for me, but have now also helped others. So today, I am excited to share with you, how you can work with me to learn how to get rid of workplace gossip and go from gossip to growth with your team. The first way is through my upcoming book, From Gossip to Growth. It will be launching towards the end of the year, and I am looking for a launch team. You’ll receive my book, completely free of charge, in exchange for a review on launch day and sharing the book on your social media. This is very exciting as this will be the best way for you to gain full free access to both the book and the free training that I will be offering to people who purchase the book. Click the link to register your interest to receive your free book. I’m launching brand new training in 2024, where I’ll be taking you through my step-by-step process of what you need to do to get rid of gossip. I just want to make clear that this is different from the podcast episode 007 Navigating Gossip as a Christian leader. There are some similarities, but this training will provide you with the exact steps, conversations, meetings, documents and everything you need to have and take to get rid of gossip. Register now (obligation-free) to learn more about the upcoming program ‘From Gossip to Growth’ launching in 2024. In the meantime, I will be running monthly 1 hour workshops for free as well, these are live Zoom trainings. There is one coming up on 30 November 2023, click the link to join me for free. Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch Click Here 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, simply email me at [email protected] 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 do

Sometimes it's just really difficult to say no, especially to those individuals who are good at persuading us to do things we know we shouldn't say yes to. In this episode, I discuss ways you can say no when someone confronts you with a questions and I offer some bonus tips. In the moment Pause and Breathe: When caught off guard, it's essential to take a moment to collect your thoughts. A deep breath can help. This brief pause allows you to respond thoughtfully. Buy Time: You can say something like, "Let me check my schedule and get back to you," or "I'll need to see if I can fit that in. I'll let you know." This approach gives you time to evaluate the request. Express Gratitude: Start your response with gratitude. For example, "I appreciate you thinking of me for this, but..." Use "I" Statements: Frame your response in terms of your own limitations or priorities. Say something like, "I have other commitments that prevent me from taking on additional tasks right now." Set Boundaries: Gently but firmly establish your boundaries. You can say, "I've committed to focusing on my current projects, and I can't take on anything more." Be Clear and Concise: Keep your response simple and to the point. Long explanations can lead to misunderstandings. For example, "I can't, I'm fully booked with my current projects." Stay Firm: Don't apologise for excessively or over-explain. Be confident in your response. Offer Alternatives: If you're unable to help directly, suggest other potential solutions or colleagues who might assist. This shows your willingness to be helpful even when you can't take on the task. Hold Your Ground: If the requester persists, it's crucial to maintain your position. You can reaffirm your boundaries and explain that you're not in a position to help. Other Tips Practice: Practice saying no with a trusted friend or colleague. This can help build confidence for real-life situations. Learn From Experience: After each situation where you've had to say no, reflect on it. What went well? What could you have done better? Use each experience as a learning opportunity. Support Network: Seek support from a mentor or colleague experienced in setting boundaries. They can provide guidance and encouragement. Visual Cues: In a face-to-face conversation, body language can help convey your message. Maintain good eye contact and use a calm, steady tone. Non-Verbal Responses: Sometimes, a polite shake of the head or a gesture of holding up your hand can signify that you can't take on the task right now. Learn Phrases: Memorise polite phrases for declining tasks. For example, "I'm sorry, but I can't commit to that at the moment." Download your free resources here 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, simply email me at [email protected] 4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information. I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

Struggling to manage your time and still haven't found those strategies that work for you? In this episode, I'll be discussing 6 time management strategies that you can implement today to master your minutes! 1. Delegate Why should you delegate? Killing perfection Tasks you MUST delegate 2. Time Blocking Project time/Alone time Time to just think Seem impossible? Make it happen! 3. Learn to say "no" The art of saying "no" and not feeling guilty Stop being a people pleaser 4. No multitasking! Why multitasking is ineffective Do you want it half done, then multitask... 5. Stop wasting time On the small stuff - don't major in the minor things On ineffective meetings On having a lack of clarity 6. Emails Don't let your emails rule you Turn off your notifications Block out time for emails Bonus Tips: Plan your week Have set days each week for a specific task Take a brain break every 2 hours Set calendar reminders for everything Links: Calendly (I actually recommend TidyCal now as you only pay a once off $29 fee!): TidyCal - Book & manage meetings the easy way | AppSumo Microsoft Planner: https://tasks.office.com/ Set up 'rules' in Outlook: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/set-up-rules-in-outlook-75ab719a-2ce8-49a7-a214-6d62b67cbd41 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 [email protected] 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! Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information. Vote for podcast Real quick, please vote for my podcast in the upcoming Australian Podcast Awards. Click this link or simply navigate to womenoffaithinleadership.com where you’ll find the link. Thank you for your votes.

As leaders we wear so many hats and we juggle so many balls. Listen as I discuss how you can prioritise which hats to wear and which balls to juggle. You are not a clown in a circus - you are not here to entertain anyone! However, you are here to lead, coach, mentor and guide your team. Links mentioned in the episode: From Conflict to Collaboration Online Course Episode #014 | 3 Reasons Why Conflict Occurs in the Workplace Episode #015 | Can workplace conflict be healthy? Episode #016 | The characteristics of unhealthy conflict Episode #017 | Not dealing with conflict? Here’s the implications How to get rid of Gossip Ebook Edition 1 (Edition 2 extended version coming in 2024!) Workplace Culture Hub website Women of Faith in Leadership website 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 [email protected] 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information. I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it! Vote for podcast Real quick, please vote for my podcast in the upcoming Australian Podcast Awards. Click this link or simply navigate to womenoffaithinleadership.com where you’ll find the link. Thank you for your votes.

**Podcast Announcement** From this week 30 October 2023, I will only be uploading 2 episodes per week. This is due to prioritising building my business The Workplace Culture Hub. The Lord has provided me with an amazing opportunity to participate in business coaching, to grow my business, but I need to commit some time to this. I also won't give up my time with my family (been there, done that!). I do however need to continue with my mission and my calling and that is the podcast. Thank you for listening! I appreciate YOU! ........................................ **Competition winner announcement** Listen to the podcast to find out who won the competition. ........................................ Today's episode Building relationships are important, we spend a lot of time with people at work. I recently read an article that said ‘Stop referring to people at work as your family, they are not! My initial thought was, oh no, I told the people on my podcast to do exactly that! However, I realised when I read the article that the person got hurt at work, was treated unfairly and is feeling hurt over that. The reality is that yes, they are not your blood family, but you do spend a significant amount of time with them and thinking of them as family, can sometimes just help you navigate those tough workplace relationships and think differently about these people you are working with. In essence, how can you just work with someone and not create a relationship, even just a professional one? We’re not robots, we have feelings, they have feelings, and we’re all human. We CAN and should have compassion for one another. Now let’s look at the INSPIRE framework. You can take notes or simply download the pdf I created for you. I - Integrity in Actions and Decision-making N - Nurturing Communication and Collaboration S - Supporting a Positive and Inclusive Team Culture P - Promoting Team Development and Growth I - Inspiring Achievements and Motivation R - Resolving Conflict and Building Resilience E - Empowering and Engaging Team Members FREEBIE Access the PDF here, share this with your team, and your leadership team and let them know, you are committed. You want to INSPIRE them. I hope this will help you to build those relationships and also for your team to build relationships with each other. You women of faith in leadership, you are amazing, I love you and God bless. Relationship Building Online Course From Conflict to Collaboration Online Course 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 [email protected] 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! Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information. Vote for podcast Real quick, please vote for my podcast in the upcoming Australian Podcast Awards. Click this link or simply navigate to womenoffaithinleadership.com where you’ll find the link. Thank you for your votes.

**Ranked Top 5% Globally!** It's celebration time! The podcast has reached the top 5% globally. Praise God, He is amazing!! The podcast has also ranked top 150 in the following countries under the Management and Business categories: Australia #75 Canada #63 Czech Republic #52 Hungary #3 India #100 Indonesia #19 South Africa #18 United States #149 ........................................... You are sitting in the interview with a candidate and you’re just not sure… is this the right person for the job, or should you keep on looking? In this episode, I'll be discussing 9 (no 10) red flags you should look out for during job interviews. Arrived late, didn’t call ahead of time to let you know and also didn’t apologise upon arrival… Inappropriate clothing - underwear showing or using their body to gain favour with panel members Badmouthing their current/old workplace/boss - shows disloyalty - what will they say about you when they leave or move on Unprofessional conduct or comments during the interview - swearing, getting angry, crying, racist, ageist, sexist comments Unable to answer simple questions about why they really want the job, why they think they would be a good fit for the role Didn’t do their research - unsure of the job role they applied for, came unprepared Don’t agree with the values of the company/organisation - for example, integrity, no gossip, etc. Inconsistency with the stories they tell against their resume Fix mindset during the interview - seem unwilling to change from the way they have ‘always done things’ You just don’t feel confident about this person being the right person for the job, trust your gut! Remember to document as much as possible during an interview, body language, language, and personal info they shared that might affect their ability to do the job. 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 [email protected] 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! Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information. Vote for podcast Real quick, please vote for my podcast in the upcoming Australian Podcast Awards. Click this link or simply navigate to womenoffaithinleadership.com where you’ll find the link. Thank you for your votes.

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 [email protected] 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! Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information. Vote for podcast Real quick, please vote for my podcast in the upcoming Australian Podcast Awards. Click this link or simply navigate to womenoffaithinleadership.com where you’ll find the link. Thank you for your votes.

It’s my birthday today! Please celebrate with me in the Facebook Group. Go to womenoffaithinleadership.com. Otherwise, leave me a review, that would be an amazing gift indeed. ....................... Have you ever started praying and caught yourself just praying the same thing over and over again, day in and day out? In this episode, I am going to teach you how you can pray with purpose and make your prayer time more purposeful. For a long time, I struggled to pray. I was caught in the "please do this Lord and please do that Lord "and "thank you for this and thank you for that". Nothing deep really and nothing with purpose. So I got bored and I felt like a fraud to be honest and therefore I stopped. I still felt as if I had a relationship with the Lord and I spent most of my time praising and worshipping. But not necessarily praying. To be honest, I just didn’t know what to say, what to pray for, so instead of saying something… I said nothing. But I felt as if God was missing me speaking to Him, and I felt pressed to start praying again. I also felt a whole as if something was in fact missing. I remembered that I was gifted 3 books by Stormie Martin called: The power of a praying wife The power of a praying parent and The Power of a Praying Woman So I grabbed those and simply started praying 1 prayer from each book each day, 1 prayer for my husband, 1 for my kids and 1 for me. It really helped me to have guidance and not wonder what to say or what to pray because I had help! I then started looking for something similar for my business and found an ebook. So I also started praying for my business each day. Soon, I started feeling really so much closer to God that I wanted more. I wanted it to be more personal. So I started a prayer journal. And what is interesting is that when I started writing down my prayers, they were so much different from when I used to pray, saying something and writing something is completely different. We often don’t talk the way we write and we don’t write the way we talk. I ended up writing pages and pages of prayer just talking to God about everything. Soon my prayers became more purposeful and I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning to spend time with God. As soon as my prayers became more purposeful as well, I started noticing changes within me as well. I felt more confident praying and I no longer wondered what I was going to say because it was simply flowing out. If you’re feeling stuck and would like to make your prayer more purposeful, I would suggestion the following: Start with a book that gives you the words to say Pray your bible, there are many verses in the bible that you can pray over yourself, for example, the prayer of Jabez, the Lord’s Prayer, pray for yourself and for others to have the fruits of the spirit, pray for your spiritual gifts, pray the Armour of God over yourself Get a prayer journal, start writing down your prayers and look back at them often to see how far you’ve come and what prayers have been answered. It will surprise you! -------------- Links mentioned in the episode: The power of a praying wife The power of a praying parent The Power of a Praying Woman New Living Translation Study Bible Praying for your business Other recommended resources: Maxwell Leadership Bible 21 Laws of Leadership in the Bible The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader's Day A Leader's Heart: 365-Day Devotional Journal ..................... 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 [email protected] 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! Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information. Vote for podcast Real quick, please vote for my podcast in the upcoming Australian Podcast Awards. Click this link or simply navigate to womenoffaithinleadership.com where you’ll find the link. Thank you for your votes.

****Freebie**** I have a free self-care journal and workbook that you can download. Click the link in the description and download your journal and workbook today, completely free of charge. CLICK HERE to download it now. In today’s episode, I’ll be chatting with you about Boundaries, Balance and self-care. Barb Moses said: “If you don’t take care of yourself, you are teaching others that they don’t need to take care of themselves.” Leaders lead by example and so often, we give more than what we should because that’s our nature as leaders. So setting boundaries to ensure balance and self-care for YOU occurs, you need to put certain steps/structures in place to help and support you. As early as 10 years ago, perhaps even 5 years ago, the notion of self-care nearly didn’t even exist. There was not much awareness surrounding mental health and the like and lucky for us, things have changed. 2.5 years into my journey as a leader where I lead anywhere between 40-50 people at any given point in time, I burned out. 2.5 years?! Really? Yes, really. I had to go on 'burn-out' leave although I really didn't want to! Shortly after I returned, I had a new employee who was giving me a bit of a hard time. I was always very open and honest about my journey with burnout because I wanted to help others prevent it. This employee however was much older than me and openly to my face criticised me for burning out and wondered how that was even possible. I was flabbergasted, to say the least, and felt as if I needed to defend myself. I did to some extent but realised it was a losing battle and really not worth my time. I felt a bit of resentment towards this employee because clearly, they did not know all the hours, and after hour hours I put in to make sure that everything was running smoothly. What was meant to be 38 hours a week full-time job, turned into a 70-hour-a-week job… and why? Because I lost all control of boundaries. There was absolutely no balance and zilch, nada, zero self-care! And who suffered? My children, my husband, my household, my physical and mental health and the list goes on. It was totally abnormal! So, yes… I burnt out fairly quickly within 2.5 years so I needed to take a break. I thought 1 week max, and I’ll be fine again! I spoke to my line manager at the time and she basically said to me that I needed to take a minimum of 3 weeks, and if I needed more after that, she would grant the request instantly! I was frustrated. 3 weeks! I went to my GP to get the medical certificate for the 3 weeks and had a grumble to her, and she concurred.. 3 weeks is the absolute bare minimum and if I needed more time after 3 weeks, she would give me the note instantly. I didn’t understand why everyone was making such a fuss. Clearly I still wasn’t getting it right?! I did however, to appease my husband, delete all the work apps off my phone and he took my computer away for the 3 weeks. We agreed I would check in with my assistant manager at the time if everything was going okay and if she needed anything. So, after 3 weeks, I was fine and SO ready to go back. I did really well for the first year or so, committed to no multitasking, not working so many hours and spending time with my family when I was home instead of being on my computer all the time. But…. You guessed it.. it didn’t take long, and I was back where I started. 70 hours a week, burning the candle on both ends of the stick and just pushing and pushing myself. Getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night. I always had this ‘rule’. I would not work past midnight… even that rule flew out the door! I knew this had to stop as things were starting to spiral backwards. I was starting to make huge mistakes, avoidable mistakes, mistakes that affected my team members, colleagues, clients…. And one day in September 2022, I prioritised my work above my family, once again…. And it all went pear-shaped that day. That day… I knew… this is it… no more! I was going to have to quit my job because this can’t continue. I worked for another 6 months so that we could save up and make all the necessary arrangements. I overworked myself still in those 6 months, but this time so that I could offload all that was in my brain into a handbook for someone else. After I left, we went on a 3-week holiday and I returned and immediately jumped in and started my business. I didn’t even give thought to the fact that I might need to actually just take a proper break, (because who rests on a holiday when they have 3 kids right?!) So I went in full swing and all of a sudden, I could no longer do the hours I was used to (seriously have I learnt nothing!). I was tired and exhausted, I became sick, time after time after time and I felt so fed up. Spent weeks on end in bed, and bashing myself for not working and growing my business… I didn’t realise how burnt I was until my body started telling me…. It’s time to stop now!! AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS THE BEST OF ALL OF THIS? Where is my statue? The statue erected

In this episode, we'll be discussing how you can use your spiritual gifts in the workplace. Are you currently using your spiritual gifts in the workplace? Or do you not know what your spiritual gifts are? In today’s episode, we’re talking about spiritual gifts and how you can use them in the workplace, for the glory of God. Complete these quizzes/surveys to find out what your spiritual gifts are: 1. https://spiritualgiftsassessment.org/quiz 2. https://gifts.churchgrowth.org/spiritual-gifts-survey/ ................................................. In 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Paul lists the following spiritual gifts: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, distinguishing spirits, various kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. In recent years, these spiritual gifts have been broken down into 15 different spiritual gifts: Administration, being an apostle, discernment, evangelism, exhortation, faith, giving, healing, helper, hospitality, knowledge, leadership, mercy/compassion, prophecy, serving, speaking in tongues, teaching or shepherding, and wisdom. In this episode, I'll be discussing how you can use these in the workplace and how it will be relevant for you as well as what a great opportunity you have to use your spiritual gifts in the workplace. ................................................. Links mentioned in this episode: Ps Andrew Wommack - 4 Basics of Hearing God's Voice Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DZL10TfiYNPvrh8V4Fhi0 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gS2JBOIftQ ................................................. 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 [email protected] 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information. I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

In today's episode: Sometimes at work, we struggle to know exactly when to keep it strictly professional and when we can bring in our faith and be a testimony towards our colleagues. In this episode, we’ll be discussing balancing faith and professionalism. If you’re working in an environment where not everyone is Christian, then it can be really challenging. On the one hand, you are a professional in your job role and you were appointed in your role due to your knowledge, qualifications or any other expertise you bring to the table. On the other hand, you are a Christian who wants to live out your values and your faith. So can Professionalism and Faith be balanced at work? But at what point do you tell people you are a Christian and when can or should you share your testimony, your values or anything relating to God? Never force God on anyone, respect that they have different views than you. You can practice your faith at work by silently praying regularly, before meetings, calls etc. We talked about Faith-Based decision-making in the last episode and that’s also a way to balance your faith with professionalism. But I’d say something to remember is that you are there to do the job you have been appointed, so do that to the best of your abilities and when an opportunity presents itself for you to share about God, be brave and do it. Be sure you don’t force it on that person, and if that person starts feeling uncomfortable, then simply ask them to let you know if they have any questions and leave it at that. The other way you balance your faith with your professionalism know your personal values and to stick them. They will help you make ethical decisions. For example, if integrity is a value you would like to live by, then you have to make decisions or do your work in such a manner that others can see you have integrity. So to recap: Pray throughout the day Live, breathe and display your values Don’t force God on anyone - this can really put people off 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 [email protected] 3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information. I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!