Women of Faith in Leadership | Leading with integrity, Leadership Self-doubt, Christian Leadership, Leading with confidence, – Details, episodes & analysis

Win 1 of 5 Confidence Coaching Sessions to celebrate the podcast's 100th episode! If you are ready to overcome self-doubt and master the art of leading with confidence, then submit your application ASAP to win 1 of these 5 sessions! >APPLY HERE<

Hurry, applications close 23 February 2025! Winners will be announced on 24 February 2025 when the 100th episode airs!!

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

It’s the feeling that you don’t belong, that you’re not really qualified, and that at any moment, others will realize you’re a fraud—even though you do have the skills and experience.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a Leader

1. Stop Trusting Your Feelings—Start Trusting God’s Truth

• Feelings of self-doubt don’t mean you aren’t capable.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
• Action Step: Write down 3 biblical truths about who you are in Christ and declare them over yourself daily.

2. Reframe Your Thinking: You’re Not an Imposter—You’re a Steward

• You’re not “faking it”—you’re faithfully stewarding the leadership role God has given you.
• Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
• Action Step: Shift your focus from proving yourself to serving well.

3. Take Bold Action Before You Feel Ready

• Confidence comes from doing—not waiting until you feel 100% capable.
• Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
• Action Step: Identify one leadership action you’ve been avoiding due to self-doubt and commit to doing it this week.

Final Thought: "If you’re waiting to feel confident before stepping into your leadership role, you’ll be waiting forever. Confidence comes from trusting that God has called you, equipped you, and is walking with you.

Lead boldly—not because you’re perfect, but because He is.

Win 1 of 5 Confidence Coaching Sessions to celebrate the podcast's 100th episode! If you are ready to overcome self-doubt and master the art of leading with confidence, then submit your application ASAP to win 1 of these 5 sessions!>APPLY HERE<

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 support@rikawhelan.com

3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

Have you ever found yourself questioning if you’re the right person for the job? Wondering if you’re really equipped to lead?

You’re not alone!

Self-doubt is one of the biggest struggles for leaders—especially women of faith.

But here’s the good news: God hasn’t called you to lead without equipping you.

Today, we’re talking about why leaders struggle with self-doubt and, more importantly, how to overcome it!

1. Comparison Trap It’s easy to look at other leaders and think, ‘She’s more experienced, more confident, more capable than me.’ But comparison is the enemy of confidence. God didn’t call you to be her—He called you to be you.

• Biblical example: Think about Moses. He doubted his ability to lead and even tried to push the responsibility onto Aaron (Exodus 4:10-13). But God assured him, “I will be with you.”

2. Fear of Failure What if I mess up? What if I let people down? What if I’m not enough? Fear of failure paralyzes so many leaders. But failure isn’t final—God redeems every mistake.

• Biblical example: Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus still chose him to lead the early church.

3. Imposter Syndrome—Feeling Unqualified Many leaders feel like they don’t belong in the role they’re in. Maybe you’ve thought, ‘Who am I to lead others?’ But remember, God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called.

• Biblical example: Esther was an orphan girl turned queen, and she likely felt unqualified to stand before the king. Yet she boldly stepped into her purpose.

💡 1. Shift Your Focus from Yourself to God Confidence in leadership doesn’t come from your skills or experience alone—it comes from knowing who called you. When Moses doubted, God didn’t give him a pep talk about his abilities. Instead, He said, ‘I will be with you.’ (Exodus 3:12)

• Action Step: Start each day reminding yourself that you are called and equipped by God.

💡 2. Speak Truth Over Yourself What voices are you listening to? The enemy loves to whisper, ‘You’re not good enough.’ But what does God say? ‘You are fearfully and wonderfully made.’ (Psalm 139:14)

• Action Step: Write down 3 truths about your leadership and declare them daily. Example:

1. I am called to lead with purpose.
2. God has given me everything I need for this season.
3. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

💡 3. Take Small, Bold Steps Self-doubt fades when you take action in faith. Confidence isn’t the absence of fear—it’s trusting God in spite of fear.

• Action Step: Identify one bold leadership move you can make this week, even if it feels small—speaking up in a meeting, mentoring someone, or simply saying ‘yes’ to an opportunity.

Submit it at https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com

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 support@rikawhelan.com

3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

Why Review SOPs, Policies, and Procedures?

• • Ensure relevance and effectiveness
  • Identify outdated or unnecessary processes
  • Enhance efficiency and productivity
  • Reduce errors and inconsistencies
  • Improve compliance and risk management

The Review Process

1. Form a Review Team:

• Identify key stakeholders
• Consider diverse perspectives
• Assign specific roles and responsibilities

Assess Current Documentation:

• Review existing SOPs, policies, and procedures
• Identify gaps, inconsistencies, and redundancies
• Evaluate clarity and understandability

Conduct a Gap Analysis:

• Compare current practices to industry best practices
• Identify areas for improvement
• Assess compliance with relevant regulations and standards

Update and Revise:

• Simplify language and eliminate jargon
• Add visuals or flowcharts for clarity
• Update references and links
• Ensure consistency with organizational goals and values

Train and Communicate:

• Develop training materials and conduct training sessions
• Communicate changes effectively to all stakeholders
• Provide ongoing support and answer questions

Tips for Effective Reviews

• Involve the Right People: Seek input from employees at all levels.
• Set Clear Objectives: Define the goals of the review process.
• Prioritize Reviews: Focus on high-impact areas first.
• Use Technology: Employ tools to streamline the review process.
• Continuous Improvement: Make regular reviews a part of your organizational culture.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Rushing the Process: Take the time to do it right.
• Overcomplicating Procedures: Keep it simple and straightforward.
• Neglecting Employee Input: Listen to the people who do the work.
• Failing to Follow Up: Ensure changes are implemented and maintained.

Want to contribute to my planning for the podcast for 2025? Email me at support@rikawhelan.com and let me know! I have 4 simple questions to ask you that will contribute to my planning. I would really appreciate it!

Submit it at https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com

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 support@rikawhelan.com

3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

Welcome to the Women of Faith in Leadership podcast

Are you passionate about leadership but often feel inadequate to deal with the difficult situations you face on a day-to-day basis?

Do you battle with balancing faith-based leadership principles and the worldly perspectives of your colleagues and team members?

Do you constantly have to address workplace culture issues like gossip, a lack of communication, conflict, a toxic environment, workplace bullying or bad attitudes?

Are you sick of the relentless fighting with your team, leaving you feeling like a failure?

Are you desperate to implement change but don’t know what to do?

Should you just quit your job and take the easy way out?

Hey, I’m Rika Whelan and I understand all too well the challenges leadership brings, especially as a woman of faith.

I had so many aspirations as a leader. What a wonderful opportunity to coach, and mentor and lead a team…

But then… humanity happened, the human factor. My idyllic idea of leadership quickly turned into an everyday battle with toxic people who couldn’t care less about others.

I didn’t realise how unpredictable people could be and it truly hurt that people could be so cruel and mean to each other.

I knew I had to take action and put the necessary boundaries in place to stop gossip in its tracks and to change that toxic environment into an environment where people could thrive and grow.

But I didn’t know how. It felt like I was in a deep dark pit and no one could help me get out. Except God!

I began to pray and went into battle, fumbling as I went, making many mistakes along the way… but I went… and today I am so proud to stand here and say I did it and, friend… so can you!

God showed me the way and gave me the wisdom I needed to put the necessary steps in place and by His grace alone, I experienced a beautifully peaceful and thriving workplace where my team actually enjoyed coming to work.

I finally had the opportunity to coach, mentor and lead a wonderful team.

I was equipped back then and now I am called to help Christian women like yourself who are desperate for a map, a navigation system to show them the way.

The good news is that there is a way that you can successfully navigate workplace culture without selling your soul.

There is a way that you can happily lead your team, set clear boundaries and finally enjoy coming to work.

In this podcast, you’ll learn practical steps to navigate all things leadership, workplace culture, faith and boundaries.

So grab your coffee or water, keep that notebook and pen handy, and let’s jumpstart your leadership… with God at the Centre of it all.

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 coaching call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com

 I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

Hi all

There will be no regular episode this week as I focus on completing my Master of Business Administration. I am in the last stretch of finalising my research paper to hand in on 5 December 2024!

Please pray that God will provide me with the energy I need to complete it, as well as wisdom and knowledge to do so. 

Thank you!

Why don't you come and join the Facebook community and join other women of faith in leadership. 

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

As leaders, we can feel drained by our workload and the fires we have to fight daily.

But have you ever considered how your actions might affect your team?

Let's discuss 5 mistakes that leaders make that push their team to burnout

1. Overloading Workloads

2. Neglecting Work-Life Balance

3. Poor Communication

4. Micromanagement

5. Ignoring Employee Well-being

Tune in to the episode as I share my own experience with these 5 mistakes and the solutions you can implement to avoid them. 

Have a listener question?

Submit it at https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com

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 support@rikawhelan.com

3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

Is your organisation experiencing high staff turnover with no explanation? Or maybe you suspect you know why there is high staff turnover, but you’d like to be sure.

Well, in this episode, I’m going to give you 5 things to review asap and give you some retention strategies to implement.

Conducting Effective Exit Interviews:

• The Importance of Exit Interviews:
  • Why exit interviews are crucial for understanding turnover
  • How to create a safe and confidential space for employees
• Key Questions to Ask:
  • What are the reasons for leaving?
  • What did they like most about their job?
  • What did they dislike most about their job?
  • What could have been done to prevent them from leaving?

Understanding the Causes of high staff turnover:

1. Company Culture:

• Is the company culture positive, supportive, and inclusive?
• Are employees feeling valued and appreciated?
• Are there opportunities for growth and development?

Leadership:

• Are leaders effective and supportive?
• Do leaders communicate clearly and often?
• Do leaders provide constructive feedback and recognition?

Compensation and Benefits:

• Are salaries and benefits competitive?
• Are there opportunities for bonuses, promotions, and raises?

Work-Life Balance:

• Are employees able to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
• Are there flexible work arrangements available?

Job Satisfaction:

• Are employees satisfied with their roles and responsibilities?
• Are there opportunities for challenging and meaningful work?

Implementing Retention Strategies:

• Employee Recognition and Rewards:
  • Public recognition programs
  • Private thank-you notes
  • Performance-based bonuses
• Professional Development Opportunities:
  • Training and development programs
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Mentorship programs
• Flexible Work Arrangements:
  • Remote work options
  • Flexible hours
  • Compressed workweeks
• Employee Engagement Initiatives:
  • Team-building activities
  • Social events
  • Employee surveys
• Regular Check-ins and Feedback:
  • One-on-one meetings
  • Performance reviews
  • Open-door policy

Have a listener question?

Submit it at https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com

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 support@rikawhelan.com

3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

“I never thought that the teachers would gossip more than the teenage students”

Meet Mike McQuillan:

Mike McQuillan moved from New York, USA to Lima, Peru to teach English as a foreign language.

Mike describes the last institute where he taught as a golden palace built on top of a toxic swamp. The systems worked, and the people were great, but the undercurrent of academic elitism and water cooler gossip undermined the teaching experience. He resigned in protest and now works full-time as a freelance public speaking coach.

We discuss:

• When Mike noticed that gossip is such an issue in the education sector
• Why is the educator sector the worst in terms of gossip?
• Do you think there are enough expectations to guide teacher’s behaviour? What can schools do about it?
• Has Mike ever worked in an environment that has been gossip-free?
• What should leaders do if they have people constantly coming to gossip about their teammates to the leader?
• The difference between ratting someone out and reporting misconduct.
• The biggest source of gossip these days
• And much more.

Connect with Mike

https://fit-presenter.com/about/

Submit it at https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com

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 support@rikawhelan.com

3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

So, you’ve got a new employee, and you want to onboard them asap so that they can jump in and start working.

But wait! Have you ever considered the importance of the onboarding program?

In this episode, we'll discuss the mistakes leaders make when it comes to onboarding, the risks of not onboarding an employee well and the benefits of a good onboarding program.

1. Not taking onboarding seriously
2. Underestimating the value of the onboarding
3. No written SOP’s

1. Increased training cost
2. Time efficiency problems
3. Reputational damage
4. Employees with low morale

1. Set them up for success
2. Understanding the ins/outs of company
3. Get what’s in your brain, onto paper
4. Run your department the way you want to
5. No unexpected twists
6. Stress that mistakes are allowable
7. Employee retention and job satisfaction
8. Increased productivity
9. Good first impression

I'm curious, what does your onboarding program look like? Come and join the conversation over on the Facebook Group. 

Submit it at https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com

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 support@rikawhelan.com

3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan

It’s one of the most exhilarating feelings to get your first leadership role. But at the same time, it’s absolutely petrifying!

What scared me was, what if they don’t like me? What if I don’t get on well with them? What if they reject me? 

Over the years, I've learnt a couple of valuable things about being a new leader that I'd like to share with you today. Make sure you listen to the full episode to learn more about each item on the list:

1. Start with self-reflection
2. Connect with your team before you do anything
3. Don’t make changes straight away
4. Filling in the hypothetical “shoes” of the other leader
5. Support the team to do their job
6. Vision - Bring and drive the vision
7. Lead yourself well
8. Get a mentor
9. Own your mistakes
10. Confidentiality

Have a listener question?

Submit it at https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com

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 support@rikawhelan.com

3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan