Episode 1: How do I lead when I don't feel like a leader?

EPISODE 1

“How do I lead when I don’t feel like a leader?”

HOSTS: Kara-Kae James and Elizabeth Oates

EPISODE SUMMARY

On today’s episode, co-hosts Kara-Kae James and Elizabeth Oates tackle the subject of leadership and answer the question, “How do I lead when I don’t feel like a leader?” They encourage listeners that they don’t need a fancy title or an army of people under them in order to be a leader. They can lead right where they are, and impact the people right in front of them. They offer Scripture supporting the idea that many of us feel ill-equipped to step into the leadership opportunities God gives us, yet we can obey God and let Him equip and empower us to fulfill our calling. Finally, they offer practical steps women can take to lead, no matter how big or “small” their sphere of influence.  

THE LITTLE THINGS

We like to start each episode by talking about “the little things” in life that made a big impact that week. 

Kara-Kae just tried Amazon Prime Wardrobe and highly recommends it!

Elizabeth talked about the pros and cons of curbside grocery store shopping. The jury is still out on whether she’ll try it again. 

THE CONVERSATION

Today we talked about women and leadership and answered the question, “How do I lead, if I don’t feel like a leader?” People often think they’re not a leader if they are not a CEO or the leader of an organization, but Kara-Kae and Elizabeth encouraged listeners that everyone is a leader in their own sphere of influence (work, home, church, neighborhood, etc.), and it’s up to us to decide how we live out our leadership. 

Elizabeth recently spoke at a MOPS leadership training and encouraged MOPS table leaders that their position included more than just taking attendance and emailing prayer requests. God has called them to a place of leadership and this is a high calling. 

Kara-Kae and Elizabeth discussed practical ways we can be a leader where ever God calls us:

  • Be a continual learner

  • Be a good listener 

  • Ask good questions

  • Follow other leaders

  • Mentor someone and be mentored by another

  • Ask for help

  • Start leading right where you are, even if you don’t feel equipped

Elizabeth also noted that some of the best leaders are the quiet leaders. Then she offered this encouragement: Mamas of little bitties, hang in there! You will feel more like a leader when your kids are older (8+ years old). Embrace your leadership role in your home, no matter how old your kids are, and know that your leadership will pay off as your kids get older and need your guidance for more than just learning how to share. 

Kara-Kae offered Scripture that supports our call to leadership, even when we don’t feel like a leader:

  • Esther - she did not feel like a leader and did not want to lead, but nonetheless she obeyed God’s call for her life and stepped into the role of leadership.

  • Her first instinct was self-preservation: “If I step into this call for leadership, what will happen to ME?”

  • God doesn’t need us to lead. It’s a privilege to lead. 

Kara-Kae talks about not feeling called to minister to moms, yet God called her to start ThriveMoms anyway. 

If you don’t feel like a leader, yet you feel God calling you to lead, what should you do?

  • Reflect on people in Scripture, like Esther and Moses, who also felt ill-equipped.

  • Remember that we all have insecurities that prevent us from leading.

  • Remember that God has been preparing you for where you are today.

Kara-Kae asked the following question on social media: “In what area of life do you feel least equipped as a leader?” Thank you to everyone who responded and engaged in the conversation. Some responses included:

  • Motherhood

  • Marriage

  • Younger women feeling ill-equipped to lead older women

  • Women’s ministry . . . not feeling equipped to lead Bible study

RESOURCES TO REFRAME OUR THINKING

CONNECT WITH US!


YOU CAN FIND KARA-KAE ON:


YOU CAN FIND ELIZABETH ON:

Join us next week for Episode 2 when we talk about body image and answer the question: “How can I love myself when I don’t like my body?”

And don’t forget . . . keep asking questions, for a friend!

- Kara-Kae and Elizabeth

Kara-Kae JamesComment