"10 tips for women with an itch to lead"

This is an article I read the other day in the "Administrative Professional" newsletter handed out by my company, along with some of my personal commentary, in italics. Enjoy! (Or comment back!)

"10 tips for women with an itch to lead"

Having become acclimated to encouraging male leadership in most arenas, as a conservative Christian woman, this article immediately set off my sensors! Please take into account this perspective as you read!

"IF YOU'VE EVER aspired to be in the corner office, here's the lowdown from women leaders who have risen to the top and seen it all:"

Hopefully you aspire to more than an office. I am dubious as to whether these women have really 'seen it all' - I'd like that qualified.

"1. Be competitive. You have to want to win, and you have to act on that desire. No need to be nice."

I don't know about you ladies, but I don't want *anything* enough not to be nice. Besides, I don't think these things are mutually exclusive. Some of the nicest people are our biggest successes. (I always think of the Jordan's Furniture brothers.) Also, I'm not too sure I'd want the regret of knowing I'd stepped on people to 'get where I got' either. Reminds me of a song...'I did it my way!'

"2. Don't sweat friendships. It's not about being liked. It's about being valued and delivering results. Friendship may come, or not."

I don't think this is wise relational economics. It is certainly the wisdom of what Pastor Seth would call 'the sharks of this world.' In the workplace, it's all in who you know. Friendships can be your greatest asset when you're out there networking, too. No one I know would recommend anyone who wasn't nice or wasn't a good friend, although you can't always rely on *just* those assets, of course.

"3. Defend yourself. Protect the interests of your clan. Think of Nancy Pelosi back in a Republican-controlled Congress."

Ok, I admit I had to go to Wikipedia to look up Nancy Pelosi. She's the democratic new Speaker of the House of Representatives. I'm not sure if 'defend' is the word I'd use here - seems like a defense is the result of an assumed offense. I wouldn't assume an offense anywhere. I'd merely say, 'Have a voice and be heard, where appropriate.' Assuming an offense is not helpful.

"4. Trust your gut. Consider what the naysayers are putting out. Then move forward anyway."

Yeah, no. Trust your God and trust those that know you well enough to ask the hard questions and speak the hard truths into your life. Yes, consider the source of all feedback - positive and negative. Don't move forward 'anyway' - move forward with caution! Do take ownership over your actions - they are yours.

"5. Radiate confidence. Present yourself as in control and happy, says Oscar-winning film producer Cathy Schulman."

Ew. Have you ever met someone you knew was fake like that? Real turn off, right? Exactly. I'd rather meet someone real. If you are praying in the Spirit at all times, you'll have every reason to be in control and happy. Radiate the love of the Lord, and you will draw the right people and situations. Don't question God!

"6. Wrap yourself around success. Dismiss fear and anxiety. Make decisions using your best judgments."

I don't know anyone who can do this. I'll leave you with scripture on that. Click on these for the verses that apply. Cast your anxiety on the Lord who cares for you. Only fools trust in themselves. Success is a worthless idol.

"7. Help other women. Otherwise, they won't feel good about you or you won't feel good about yourself. 'Create communities of support,' Schulman says."

Seemed like a glimmer of hope here for this article, but no. Help other women for selfish gain? And there are no instructions given on how to do this either. Just 'helping other women' isn't going to create community. This takes time, effort, give, and take. Community is for community's sake, not for leadership - that's what cults do. I don't think you want a cult of personality or to have a Paris Hilton-esque following. This seems to suggest being selective too about who you interact with. I'd rather let God bring people into my life than try to create my own universe. That's just plain psychotic unreality. God knows best and His purposes are good.

Meanwhile, hope you clicked on the Schulman link. This woman's claim to fame is one Academy Award for one movie I never heard of. So wait, why are we following her career and life instructions?

"8. Hold out for good money. It's not 'filthy lucre.' Men decide on their futures considering the bottom line. You should, too."

Oh my, this one is frought with errors. Few modern women would kill themselves just for money's sake, but would they kill others or kill the plans of God for it? Hold out for what God has for you. Where God is calling you is first - you may not understand why, but you must be obedient to His voice. If you are needed in a particular field, you must go to it! And secularly speaking, while financial concerns are concerning, there are so many other practical concerns to consider. Benefits, location, upward mobility, environment, community, workload, reputation, co-workers, and daily responsibilities/routines should all be considered. Ugh. Since when do you make a decision based on 'what men do'? Are they you? Are they happy? Are they godly? Who are your role models? So yeah! What would Jesus do? You can't serve Him and money anyway.

"9. Make mistakes. Give it your best shot. Take the plunge. Don't obsess."

How about, 'Do your best to avoid mistakes, and if you make one, or someone else makes one, show grace!' The best advice in this column is here - 'Don't obsess.' Agreed. This is not helpful. But, if you do find yourself with nagging feelings, pay attention to them! It could be the Holy Spirit talking to you. You should write down what you've been thinking and talk it over with someone you trust who will give you godly feedback. I find I never know what I truly think until I write it down.

"10. Solve problems. If something on Schulman's desk seems articularly dicey, she goes after that thing first. Big problems, she notes, are your best opportunities."

I think this is more like, 'Be pro-active,' and 'Don't procrastinate.' Break it down into smaller steps and don't be afraid to ask for help. Keep everything in prayer. Avoiding issues is not godly behavior, for sure.

If you are feeling an 'itch to lead,' consider the source. Examine your motivation. Is it because 'everybody's doing it wrong?' How can you help from where you are? Is it because you're feeling undervalued? Maybe you overestimate your worth and are being a little needy - or maybe you're not doing enough. These are real, hard things that may be true. Don't feel like you need to jump in and take over - you may insult existing leadership. Your best chance at promotion is when you jump in alongside at exisiting leadership and help out. You will be more valued and more cherished that way. A husband does not need his wife to 'wear the pants,' anymore than his wife needs her twelve-year-old to assume parenting duties. Keep it in godly perspective and keep your God-given place. You glorify yourself in a godly way when you do that, and you certainly glorify God.

Pleh! After reading this - to get to that pretty little corner office - I have to live and 'lead' such an empty, dry, existance such as that? Forget it!

At the end of the day, consider the very, very bottom line. When it's all said and done sisters, consider wise Solomon's biblical words: Toil is Meaningless.