Propel Women Who Lead // Nø. 2 // by PropelWomen

N o 02

CHRISTINE CAINE Founder

BIANCA JUAREZ OLTHOFF Editorial Director

CHRISTINE CAINE Propel Into The New Year

LISA BEVERE A Force Unseen

JENNIE FINCH Gold Medal Mothering

TERRY CRIST Learning from a Leader

DR. CHRISTINA CRENSHAW Calling and Vocation

MICHI MARSHALL Marriage and Mental Health

LYSA TERKEURST

When I Dared To Let My Receptionist Daydream

KATI RAMER New Beginnings

CHELSEA PERRY Perfect Peace

MELANIE NYEMA Propel Woman Highlight

ALLI WORTHINGTON Passion. Purpose. Potential.

SHANELLE HALL Q&A

LORI ANN BIGGERS

Uniquely Female Attributes Of Leadership

BIANCA JUAREZ OLTHOFF Dear Propel Women

MARIANAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STORY A21 Highlight

In the last edition of the Propel magazine, we began the story of our journey. As this proverbial chapter continues to reveal more of who we are, we want you to know our heart, see our passion, and feel our commitment to empower women in their calling. Our goal is to build your leadership identity in a way that spurs you on to do greater and better things.

@ChristineCaine Founder of Propel

PROPEL INTO THE NEW YEAR Christine Caine, Founder of

Welcome to 2015 and the official launch of Propel! We have

Is it time to make room for new relationships in your life?

been praying, planning, and preparing in order to create a

Is it time to make room for healthier eating habits in your life?

vehicle that will help every woman develop a leadership

Is it time to make room for ongoing learning in your life?

identity no matter what her season or calling. Our bottom

Is it time to make room for spiritual growth in your life?

line is simple: As followers of Jesus Christ we are called

Is it time to make room for emotional health in your life?

to lead people to Him; therefore, we are all leaders.

I believe that God has great things ahead for you this year, I absolutely love that the word propel means â&#x20AC;&#x153;to move

but we all need to grow to where we need to go. Remember,

forward or onward; to cause to develop or progress.â&#x20AC;? If we

healthy things grow and growing things change, so expect

are going to advance this year, we have to be prepared for

and embrace change in 2015.

change because without change there is no growth. Change is not always welcomed, comfortable, convenient, or easy,

I write these words knowing that we are literally in the

but the degree to which we are willing to change is the

midst of launching Propel. These are early days, this is a

degree to which we will grow.

brand new baby, and we are definitely on the growth journey with you. A commitment to growth is a commitment to risk,

During the holidays, we had to buy my eldest daughter Catherine, a new bed because she had outgrown her other

courage, faith, strength, hope, and a willingness to make mistakes, get back up and try again. So, here we goâ&#x20AC;Ś

one. (She is now officially taller than her mother!) Even though she loved her old bed, we could not keep it because it could no longer serve its purpose. Catherine needed more

Thank you for embarking on the Propel adventure with us. I can hardly wait to see where this ride takes us.

room in order to keep growing.

I wonder if there are things in your life that you need to get rid of in 2015 because they no longer serve the purpose they once did? Where in your life do you need to clear out the clutter so you can make room to grow?

Love,

A FORCE UNSEEN Lisa Bevere

If ever there comes a time when the women of the world come together purely and simply for the benefit of mankind, it will be a force such as the world has never known. —Matthew Arnold

Could it be you’ve awakened in this moment?

We need women who are capable of whatever is necessary. Our world has known the impact of many forces. Over

I challenge you to ponder your part in women coming

the centuries our earth has been bludgeoned by forces of

together for good. I love that Matthew Arnold identified

nature such as hurricanes and monsoons. Its foundations

this unprecedented force as the women of the world.

have been shaken by earthquakes. Armed forces have

He didn’t limit it to women in the church or women in

gathered for purposes both noble and foul. Adversaries

Bible study but included all women wherever God has

have met on battlefields and left destruction in their

strategically

stationed

them! Will you dare to believe that you might be a part of this revelation of good, and therefore gather with others and strategize so God’s goodness will be seen in and through us? I’ve intentionally not

“We need an honorable gathering of virtuous women who are well able.”

did not revel in its power to intimidate, threaten, or destroy? Members of this force would have strategic and unique roles—some seen, others unseen, but all valued. What if this force was at once selfless in motive and simplistic in

limited this concept of “good” to the realm of “nice” or even “safe.” It is a force,

wake. But what if this force

its objective? What might it look like?

after all. I have likewise heard virtue described as a force:

In the distance, I see two conflicting images: great

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more

trouble and magnificent victory. On shores near and

precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she

far, I see deep, dark oppression, but I also see a glorious

will greatly enrich his life (Proverbs 31:10–11, NLT).

uprising. I see gross wickedness and global injustice

Single women, this includes you; remember that Jesus

exposed and conquered on many fronts by an encounter

is your bridegroom. The question that arises is, “can we

with God’s inescapable light and His unassailable justice.

be trusted with this charge?” Will we enrich the lives of

I see all this in our future.

those around us? Will we be at once both capable and

So it is my earnest prayer that my words will awaken

virtuous? Or will we remain divided into segments: some

something uncontainable hidden within you. I hope you

who are virtuous and others who are capable?

rise up with strength, empowered to bring God-wonder

The expression of one and not the other is not enough. We need an honorable gathering of virtuous women who are well able. What will we need to be capable of? Quite simply, anything and everything.

wherever you go. Then together we will be the force this world has never seen.

@LisaBevere Best-Selling Author and Co-Founder of Messenger International

@JennieFinch

Olympic Gold Medalist in Softball. 2004+2008

GOLD MEDAL MOTHERING Jennie Finch

In 2004, I was blessed to be able to achieve my dream

The principles learned on the field I’m now applying to

of becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist in softball. I started

motherhood. I have to trust Him in all things, whether

playing when I was five-years-old and went on to compete

hitting home runs or changing diapers. I was forced to cling

in two Olympics (Greece 2004, China 2008). I retired in

to His Word as a player, and even more so as a mom. I’m

2010 but still remained heavily involved in the sport from

often asked, “How do you balance it all?” Balance is a

a business perspective. From starting softball camps to

tricky word. When I was playing softball it was easy, I knew

speaking engagements, endorsements, and television sports

exactly what I needed to do and how to be the best player I

newscasting, life has been packed with fun!

could be. Now as a mom of three, I sometimes struggle to

My greatest joy, however, comes from being a mama to

find it.

three beautiful kids (Ace, Diesel, and Paisley). There is

I’m reminded I can’t do it all, but I can control the

nothing sweeter than being a mom and having pieces of

controllables. I can fight to keep my priorities in order:

your heart running around you. I had my oldest son while I

faith, family, calling, friends. From there, I know that I

was still playing professionally; it was tough but so worth it.

must always give my very best. We are a work in progress,

It made every minute of my day that much more meaningful

so know that we need grace. But never give up. Life is

and powerful.

more than wins and losses. The enemy attacks us all and tells us we are inadequate. But listen: we cannot give in, we

The Lord showed me so much during this period, teaching

must fight (especially as women), we are fully equipped for

me may life lessons along the way:

all God has called us to be. Just keep seeking to be better

and you will be! I love how each of us is called to complete the race set

Control the controllables

Always give your best (even when you don’t feel like it)

before us. As an athlete, this is easy for me to understand.

Life is more than wins and losses

But may we not forget that all of us are spiritual athletes and

Always learn and always continue to be better

I want women, like Paul the Apostle urged us, to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me…” (Philippians 3:14). Now go get your gold medal!

05 QUESTIONS: LEARNING FROM A LEADER

Propel braintrust member @TerryCrist talks to us about work, ambition, and women in leadership.

HOW CAN MEN ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO EMBRACE LEADERSHIP? I’m convinced that most women will naturally lead if we give them the opportunity to do so, and if we make some critical changes to our environments that currently work against their success. Most women are already leading every day in a thousand different ways, but when it comes to their professional life, they enter a domain that is primarily structured for men to succeed. When many of the conversations that foster personal development and corporate success are taking place offline and in places where women aren’t present, women aren’t given a fair chance to participate. Men can help by becoming aware of where the real conversations are taking place and include women in those conversations at every level of the organization. Awareness and intentionality will go a long way towards building balanced teams.

WHAT IS ONE CHARACTERISTIC YOU BELIEVE EVERY LEADER SHOULD POSSESS? It’s difficult to boil down to one–there are so many traits necessary to be a good leader–but I would choose integrity. At the end of the day you have to live with the choices you make in your career, and those choices will impact the rest of your life. Nothing stays in the office. We all live with the spiritual and emotional consequences of the decisions we make at work. If you’ve made them with integrity, you can live with a clean heart and a clear conscience; that matters more than success in any other form.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING LEADERS TODAY? Many challenges face leaders today, but for the context of this interview, I will say to embrace diversity. Whether it’s ethnic, gender, or even generational, we are leading and working in a global community where there are so many unseen “rules” as to what people consider normative behavior. Spending time having conversations may cost us some degree of productivity now, but will be of great benefit to later generations. The most valuable people in an organization in the coming years will be those who can get things done across gender, race, and generational differences.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN LEADING MEN AND LEADING WOMEN? There is a difference, but I think the greater difference is in leading different personality types regardless of the gender. Generations of stereotyping make us think of men in a certain light and of women in a different light, but those ideas are less true today than ever before. As a team leader I have to know my team as individuals, and gender does have some bearing on that, but it’s not the only thing (and maybe not even the most important thing) that defines them.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE GOING INTO A LEADERSHIP POSITION FOR THE FIRST TIME? Be prepared to work harder than you ever imagined. Leadership is not an entitlement; it is stewardship that you maintain and expand through integrity, faithfulness, humility, industriousness, and an insane amount of hard work. Don’t expect anything to be given to you. Be grateful for everything you are blessed with. Build relationships with other leaders who are further down the path than you are because they will save you a boatload of pain.

CALLING AND VOCATION Dr. Christina Crenshaw

At the beginning of each semester, I ask my college

designed to be change agents in our spheres of influence.

students, “Why become a teacher?” We then discuss their

The term vocation is often used in “secular” circles to refer

top three reasons. As a professor at a Christian university,

to work, but its Latin meaning—to be called or summoned

my reasons for becoming an educator are similar to

by the Creator—is distinctly sacred. The notion that our

theirs. We share a divine responsibility: we are called

work is also our calling is central to the belief that God

to lead others by teaching others. As Christians, we all

designed us for a specific purpose and endowed us with

have a responsibility on our lives to influence the world

unique gifts.

and lead toward whatever is true, noble, pure, lovely,

Through our vocations, we get to partner with Him

excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). And as

and fulfill an ordained destiny. Within this faith-based

their professor, I have the unique privilege of helping

perspective, vocation doesn’t refer solely to what we do

my students see their life as ministry and their work as a

professionally; instead, it encompasses what we do to

vocation, rather than merely a job.

influence all spheres of life: our career, our family, our

Framing their career within this perspective better equips my students to lead out of their divine gifts. So, I can very much relate when students offer these top

community, and our culture. Our vocation is our greatest place of ministry. Leading well involves more than simply finding your

responses for becoming teachers:

vocation. Great leadership requires sustained passion.

Passion is a word commonly found in leadership

I feel called.

conversations—and rightly so. Passion is the energy

I have a passion for working with others.

needed to fuel visions, dreams, and teams over the goal

I want to make a difference.

line. It’s the enthusiasm that compels those around you to join you. Evangelist John Wesley understood passion’s

What I particularly like about these reasons is they

persuasive influence when he famously said, “Light

speak to the mandate on every Christian. Each one of

yourself on fire with passion and people will come from

us has a calling on our life; each one of us has a God-

miles to watch you burn.”

given passion for that calling; each one of us is divinely

This begs the question, of course, for what purpose are we burning with passion? When the word passion is used in Scripture, the Latin etymology frequently translates as “to suffer for.” There are few things in life for which I’m so passionate that I’m willing to suffer, but my divine calling is one of them. Leading with purpose doesn’t mean we have to feel enthusiastic about our vocation at all times, but it does mean we’re called to lead with sustained passion. It isn’t surprising my college students want to become teachers in order to make a difference in the world. Enacting social justice is a popular mantra in our culture, and my students want to be change agents. But Biblically-minded leaders are needed in every vocation. People are thirsty for leaders who will not only point them in the direction of living water, but will also accompany them on the journey to the well. When we ask others to follow us, it’s important we articulate where exactly we’re going and why. A leadership perspective that offers divine purpose to vocations, passion to callings, and change to spheres of influence is the kind of leadership that transforms our coworkers, our family, our community, and ultimately our culture. Being invited to co-labor with Christ in our vocations is the highest of leadership honors.

Dr. Christina Crenshaw Professor of Education Baylor University

@MrsMichMarshall

Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of the Brandon Marshall Foundation

MARRIAGE & MENTAL HEALTH Michi Marshall Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. — Isaiah 40:31

When I attended the University of Central Florida

His diagnosis affected our life and relationship greatly

majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology with a focus

in the beginning years of marriage. We needed to take

on Behavioral Healthcare, it wasn’t because I thought it

the time to learn how to communicate with each other,

would help prepare me for my life and marriage. I met my

understand how we deal and cope during stress, and to

husband at UCF and we became friends and later married

learn how to be vulnerable with our emotions. If your

each other after graduating. But a year into our marriage

spouse is dealing with mental instability (or if you are

my husband, Brandon Marshall, was diagnosed with

struggling in this area), it’s vitally important to understand

borderline personality disorder (BPD).

triggers, boundaries, and how long it might take someone to get back to baseline

This was a massive transition not just for our marriage, but also for Brandon’s career. Mental health

across

the

stigmatized board

but

especially as a man and in the profession that he is in. Brandon is a wide NFL’s His

receiver

for

Chicago profession

the

Bears. is

“Don’t think less of yourself or that you are weaker...”

(emotional

stability).

Everyone is different. In marriage, remember that it is a journey of serving, exploration, and getting to know each other with each changing season. Personally, the more I learn Brandon, the more I understand him, and the closer we get. I can

testosterone-engulfed environment where emotions are

honestly say we get closer and closer with each passing

largely held in.

day–good or bad–because we are vulnerable with each

As a professional football player, Brandon was

other and support one another.

conditioned to hold everything in, and like most males

For those who are struggling with mental health or living

struggled to be vulnerable and express himself. After he

with someone who is struggling with mental health, there

was diagnosed, he spoke up about his journey and we

is hope! Don’t think less of yourself or loved one because

realized our purpose was to advocate for mental health.

you are struggling in this area. It is not about diminished

Brandon adamantly states, “Football is his platform,

potential, it’s about changed potential. Know that you

not his purpose.” We founded The Brandon Marshall

can use your struggle as a catalyst for change and propel

Foundation (currently Project 375) which aims to de-

you into something new.

stigmatize mental health, help people get the resources

In the words of the great football coach, Vince Lombardi,

that they need, and advocate for awareness. It’s so

“People who work together will win, whether it be against

important for us to use our education and platform to

complex football defenses, or the problems of modern

de-stigmatize

society.” You and your spouse are one, you will survive,

mental health not only to professional

athletes, but to men, women, and children in general.

and you will win.

WHEN I DARED TO LET MY RECEPTIONIST DAYDREAM Lysa TerKeurst

Five years ago I had a sense that my organization

could be grafted into their existing jobs which provided

housed a tremendous amount of untapped potential. But

a new sense of excitement and energy. However, some

the fullness of that potential would only be unleashed if

employees brought ideas to the table after being

I could figure out a way to tie my employees’ dreams to

encouraged to dream that infused such new momentum

initiatives within our ministry. What might happen if I

into Proverbs 31 Ministries, that I can’t imagine where

encouraged them to dream on company time? I mean,

we’d be without having done this exercise.

really spend time thinking about their dreams. The ones

For example, the dream of our receptionist, Melissa.

they would be imagining as they stared out of a coffee

Not long after I initiated this challenge, Melissa told

shop window on a Saturday while sipping something

me her dream was to start an online Bible study/book

steamy and sweet. The ones they’d chase if they didn’t

club. She would choose a book and invite people to join

need a steady paycheck and insurance.

in a 6-week discussion of that topic and the Bible verses

Granted, their current paycheck came from a job they

contained within each chapter. She would promote it

were passionate about and where they accomplished

through social media with a goal to sell the books within

ministry work they believed in, but in most cases it wasn’t

our ministry’s online bookstore. Her goal was to have 50

connected to their dreams. I challenged my staff for the

people sign up for her first study. I told Melissa if she

next several weeks to take time, two hours out of their 40-

doubled that goal to 100 people I’d let her continue to

hour work week, to dream. I had no clue how to connect

have those two hours a week where she could set aside

their dreams with their current job. But I wanted to see

her receptionist duties and work on it. I honestly thought

if they could find the common threads and explore how

it was a bit of a long shot that this would actually work.

to weave them together. I suspected there would be both

And so did Melissa. But it brought such a renewed sense

tension and potential doing this exercise. And I was right.

of excitement and energy to her front desk duties, that

The tension came from having to manage the unrealistic

regardless of what happened, it was a win. In the end,

ideas that came from the exercise. But even in those there

Melissa didn’t have 100 people sign up for her online

were usually pieces and parts of employees’ dreams that

study. She had 2,200 sign up!

That was four years and many studies ago. This year Melissa led 160,000 women from 142 different countries through the Proverbs 31 Ministries online Bible studies. Needless to say, she is no longer our receptionist. She leads a department of four employees and over 100 volunteers. It is the fastest growing area of our ministry and one of the most vital for accomplishing the purposes of our organization. Indeed, the fullness of the potential in Melissa would never have been realized within our ministry without letting a dream God placed in her heart be explored. Providing space within our organization to incubate, encourage, and launch this fresh idea increased momentum across our entire organization. Dreams unlock fresh ideas. Fresh ideas unleash potential. Potential nurtured accelerates momentum. Momentum attracts more dreamers with fresh ideas. In the past four years, it wasn’t just Melissa whose job scope has changed dramatically. So has mine. I’m blown away by what God has entrusted to us. We’ve grown from a staff of six, full-time employees to 36. Our yearly budget has quadrupled. And our ministry’s purpose of helping women connect Biblical truth to their everyday lives has a social media reach of millions. I wonder how many Melissas you might have sitting behind jobs with hopes of one day doing something big tucked in their heart? Don’t let those creative hopes be relegated to Saturday morning lattes. Infuse new life and new potential into Monday morning’s staff meeting by unleashing the potential of a dream.

@LysaTerKeurst

New York Times Best-Selling Author and President of Proverbs 31 Ministries

MARIANAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STORY Mariana moved to Greece to pursue her dreams. However, she ended up living in a nightmare. After two years of being trafficked and sold, she is now rebuilding her dreams with the help of The A21 Campaign.

We honor Mariana as a true Propel Woman.

To read her story and discover ways to help end human trafficking, visit

www.A21.org

Water color print by designer @KatiRamer

PERFECT PEACE You know all about what I’m facing right now So Lord I give it to you I’ll stop asking questions Stop trying to figure it out ‘cause I know You know just what to do Peace, peace, perfect peace When I look to you my heart is at ease When I start to worry or doubt settles in I turn to you and my peace begins From the beginning you’ve held on to me So right by your side I will stay No matter how hard the battle may be My love for you won’t go away So I choose right now To run straight to you In your arms I will be So safe and secure in your love So pure God you are all that I need

@ChelseaPerry, Entrepreneur, Artist, Song Writer.

PROPEL WOMEN HIGHLIGHT: @MelanieNyema Performer, dancer, singer, backup singer.

1. JOB PERKS... The verbs for what I do are “sing” and “dance.” You can’t lose with that! :)

2. MOST GRATEFUL FOR... Friends who adventure the globe with me, shine onstage, and put me back together when I fall apart.

3. TOUGHEST PART OF BEING ON THE ROAD IS... Missing my beloveds. Thank God for Skype!

4. LEADERSHIP IS LIKE... Cooking a dinner party for Californians! Everyone has extremely specific needs and aversions must be heeded.

5. AS A LEADER, NEVER FORGET... What it’s like to be led. You lose relevance if you aren’t authentically connected to those you’re leading.

6. BEST ADVICE FOR CHRISTIAN ENTERTAINERS.... The same as for any Christian: keep your focus and stay the course. Look up for answers, not around.

7. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS... Pack undies in your carry on! You never know when you’re gonna end up without your luggage.

@AlliWorthington COO of Propel

PASSION. PURPOSE. POTENTIAL. Alli Worthington

Your passions, purpose, and potential play into your

used words in all of humanity right now. Everyone tries

leadership journey in a very important way. And while

to define it, package it, sell it, and encourage us to go after

these words may seem like three catchy words that

it, like it’s an exotic destination, the “x” on the treasure

make a great tagline, the reality is they are the threads

map of life. But our purpose is ever unfolding. It’s not a

that make up the fabric of our lives.

destination. God uses us at all our life stages, developing

PASSION Have you ever noticed there are things that you just absolutely love to do? I’m not talking about your vocation here, or even your search for one. I’m talking about the incredible, unique desires that are deep inside you,

gifts within us that we never knew were buried inside. He gives us a clue to those gifts by giving us a desire (passion) for certain things. Embracing our passions and discovering new gifts throughout our lives, whether in our twenties or in our nineties, is the beauty of a life lived inside the will of God.

desires that overflow in the most unexpected of ways. Your passions are a clue to your purpose. Maybe you are passionate about leading others to a deeper knowledge of God. And maybe that passion overflows into your daily life by the way you interact with your neighbors or coworkers. Maybe it overflows into your daily life by the energetic way you lead your team at the office. Maybe it overflows and drives you to take mission trips. Passion fuels your ability to lead by giving you an ongoing source of energy and excitement. It’s what tells you, I was made to do this! Whatever it is that you are passionate about, it’s important to realize that those desires planted deep inside you are from your Creator.

PURPOSE Your purpose is an unfolding journey. It is ever changing based on what God is putting in your hands right now. I think the word Purpose is one of the most dangerously

POTENTIAL We will only reach our potential if we are willing to set aside our preconceived ideas about what we think we can do and embrace all that God can do through us. We all have the potential to do much more than we could ever imagine by following God’s will for our lives. Where we, with our human perspectives, see limitations, God, in his infinite goodness, gives us the power to do so much more. God knows the plan He has for us all. Great leadership is simply the willingness to be constantly transformed into the person God created us to be. By staying humble, embracing all He calls us to, and listening to the desires He has placed in our heart, we become the unique leaders He created us to be. Whether we are leading in the boardroom, the playroom with kids, and anywhere in between.

Q&A WITH SHANELLE HALL PROPEL: As a key staff member at UNICEF, how did

PROPEL:

this journey begin for you?

see changing, growing, happening, specifically focusing

SHANELLE: Life just sort of unfolded. I don’t know

on the needs of women.

if when I was a kid this is what I would have planned for

SHANELLE:

life to be like but I also wouldn’t change it for anything.

in the last two decades for women in terms of having a

I’ve been with UNICEF for over 15 years and before that

seat at the table of decision-making in communities,

worked in a corporate environment (for just under 10

societies,

years). My approach was to pursue what was in front of

having an important and positive impact on society and

me. It’s been a great adventure as I’ve been able to see

global perspectives. There is now evidence in terms of

the world and experience people, cultures, and situations

economic and social indicators, that having women in

that more than anything have changed my perspective on

power is positive not only for women, but also for men,

humanity and redefined my priorities.

families, communities, organizations and for nations.

Give us a 30,000-foot view and what you

Well, there has been huge progress

organizations

and

governments

This

The implications of this are exciting for humanity.

PROPEL: You have been exposed to the difference that

The evidence is starting to influence policy, hiring and

we see with male and female relationships in third world

promotion practices, and builds the case for empowering

countries. What do you see and what are you advocating

women to fulfill their pursuit and their dreams. There

for?

are still major barriers and there is still a lot of bias,

SHANELLE:

Overall, people are people. At our

notably subconscious bias. It is the subconscious and

core, we are the same everywhere. Our lives manifest

unintended bias, more than explicit discrimination, that

differently in our cultures and contexts. In terms of

in the end will be the most difficult to overcome. But

gender, of course there have been inequalities since, well,

there is great progress and we see women as Heads of

the beginning of time. But overall, women are becoming

State, we see women lead organizations, we see women at

more accepted as equals all over the world, although

the community level having positive impact and working

change is occurring at a varying pace. One of the biggest

shoulder-to-shoulder with men. We are really only now

shifts I am seeing is that women are more able to be

seeing men and women working together as peers, and

themselves, especially in leadership roles. I think for

it is only with such a formula that the true potential of

years women predominantly modeled themselves after

humanity can be realized.

men and thereby took on masculine characteristics as a means to being considered equal and accepted. But now I think there is more acceptance and value being given to both masculine and feminine qualities in all avenues of life, but notably in the workplace. This is an essential shift.

@ShanelleHall is based in Copenhagen and is the Director of Supply for UNICEF providing supplies and services for 190 countries each year.

05 UNIQUELY FEMALE ATTRIBUTES OF LEADERSHIP

LoriAnn Biggers talks to us about leadership

SPECIAL INTUITION:

UNIQUE RESPONSIVENESS:

Women have a unique ability to see past the façade and have discernment in meetings and with people in the workplace. There have been numerous times in my career when female colleagues have had particular discernment regarding people or transactions. In many instances, I would leave meetings and feel unsure or skeptical about an issue or an individual. Great female leaders look beyond the numbers and the profit to the personalities, agendas, and perspectives. This is a huge differentiator and can make a big difference in your workplace. Trust your instincts.

Females are largely caretakers and have a desire to grow, to comfort, and embrace. We find it much easier to feel, empathize, and show affection toward people. This can be a fantastic gift for bringing togetherness, collaboration, and synergy within your work environment.

CALMNESS: The ability to stay focused in a crisis and during the storm is critical. Women have an amazing ability to take in all of the information and respond rather than react.

QUALITY OF VULNERABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY: This quality invites others to feel at peace, to be open and vulnerable with us. Women in leadership have a great opportunity to be the heart of their workplace. We set the example and tone for the climate around us. My father had a saying, “When mama is not happy no one is happy.” I find this to be true of women leaders in the workplace. We also have the ability to probe, ask questions, and ask for help. One of the greatest skills I learned was not be concerned about how I would look in a meeting if I didn’t understand a point, I asked questions. Men don’t typically want to ask for directions if they are driving lost, much less in a room of colleagues and superiors.

CONFIDENCE: Few attributes are more appealing in a woman than quiet confidence. Knowing when and how to insert yourself in a calm, decisive, and logical way is key. Some of the same great attributes can also be detractors and pitfalls if not clearly understood and purposed: Don’t allow intuition to become know-it-all. Don’t confuse openness and nurturing with mothering, micro-managing, or making the difficult decisions. Don’t slip into being a doormat when you are vulnerable and transparent. Don’t let confidence become arrogance. Don’t make the mistake of calmness becoming passiveness.

DEAR PROPEL WOMEN: You are not your mistake. You are not your poor decision. You are not your dress size. You are not your failure. You are not your hidden sin. You are not your addiction. You are not your lust. You are not your anger. You are not your layoff notice. You are not your #klout score. You are a miracle waiting to happen. You are a story of grace poured out. You are a magnet for blessings. You are a child of God. You are success in hibernation. You are a step toward greatness. You are a decision away from freedom. You are a commitment away from liberty. The only thing separating what you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t from what you are is opportunity and repentance.

@BiancaOlthoff speaks to us about what we are and what are not.