A Guest Blog with Kathrine Lee, The Ultimate Source
Women in leadership. I am asked about this topic quite a bit. I am not writing this from a political perspective, a position of hierarchy, and certainly not from a religious one. I am simply responding from my experience, my respect for men and love of women.
To discuss this topic, we first have to ask a question, ?What is a leader?? The definition includes words & phrases like: a person who guides or directs a group; authoritativeness, influence, command, effectiveness; sway, clout; one who goes before or with to show the way; to guide in direction, course, action or opinion.
I cannot help but think of Genesis 2:18 any time I am asked about the role or value of women. ?It is not good that man should be alone.?
Why is it then that a woman can cause men so much frustration, aggravation, and even pain? And men are capable of doing the same to women.
After working with and studying thousands of people for almost 2 decades in the personal development field, I have seen some trends. Often times the collaboration of men & women work beautifully but sometimes it is not so pretty. It?s the latter I want to address here.
Women can be amazing influencers. But let?s face it, there are times when women tend to demean & correct, rather than honor & respect, when they give their input. Or worse, women shrink back and share nothing or contrive and manipulate, then pull-back, berate or belittle once something goes wrong.
And for men, I?ve seen them clam up, blow up, or tell women in various ways to simply ?shut up? instead of heeding the wisdom that sometimes only a woman can give.
What if we could change all of that? What if, instead of taking the above postures, women took the stance of actively voicing her thoughts, with respect, while resting in her strength and influence? Imagine a woman who speaks and acts from a place of love to nurture & protect. There is nothing more powerful.
And men, what if you could listen without feeling belittled or incapable? What if you allowed the women in your life to be a guiding voice, trusting that she can see and feel things that sometimes you simply cannot?
We are made for partnership.
?It is not good that man be alone.?
Even Jesus, who was complete on His own, connected to and valued women.
Against the social & cultural barriers of the times:
He interacted with women.
He taught & directed them.
He told them to go tell.
He treated every woman He met as a person in her own right.
He never disgraced, belittled, controlled, shamed, or stereotyped women.
He liberated and affirmed women.
(Matthew 15:21-28; Luke 7:11-15; Luke 7:36-50; Luke 8:40-48; Matthew 26:6-13; Matthew 28:8-10; Mark 12:41-44; John 4:1-39 ; John 8:1-11)
He even accepted from women. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna accompanied Jesus and supported Him out of their own personal means. (see Luke 8:1-3)
Consider these words from Proverbs 31:25-26 describing the potential value of women:
She is virtuous and capable.
She is clothed with strength and dignity.
She is wise and gives instructions with kindness.
Wouldn?t you want someone with those attributes to be a part of your team?
Matthew Arnold said, ?If there ever 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.? I believe the whole of that truth is that when MEN and WOMEN of this world come together purely and simply for the benefit of mankind, THEY will be a force as the world has never known.
We have to do this together. Without the wholeness of love and respect, male and female, strength and dignity, the world does not change.
So, men:
Are you truly interacting with the women around you? Do you acknowledge them and listen to what they have to say?
Do you direct them with care and respect?
Do you allow them to share and edify?
Do you treat the woman (women) in your life like a person in her own right?
Do you ever disgrace, belittle, control, shame or stereotype her?
Do you liberate and affirm women?
And women:
Are you acting virtuous and capable?
Do you walk through your day with the kind of strength and dignity that elevates the people around you?
Are you willing to stop competing and, instead, nurture and guard?
Will you step up and take your place to influence the world around you?
?It is not good that man is alone. ?
Let?s come together and see what happens. I can?t wait to live in a world where that is a reality.
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About Kathrine:
Kathrine Lee is a highly sought after life and business strategist. She is the Founder & Co-Creator of The Ultimate Source, a faith-based personal development system that teaches practical application of essential life skills. It was designed so that anyone can experience the abundant life God designed them to live. The Ultimate Source creates a deeper personal connection to God & His Word; therefore, producing more complete satisfaction and fulfillment in life.
Kathrine is an internationally recognized speaker and has touched millions with her message of hope and transformation. She has worked with companies such as Boeing, Disney & DIRECTV and currently serves on the Advisory Board for The Daniel Plan at Saddleback Church. You may recognize Kathrine from one of her appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show or by reading her story in O Magazine.
If you would like to get in touch with Kathrine you can do so using social media or the contact form on her website.
Kathrine is currently offering a special promotion for listeners of the Leadership Answer Man! Click the link to take advantage of a 40% savings on her The Ultimate Source personal development system: Free Offer.
