Women of Faith in Leadership | Leading with integrity, Management, Christian Leadership, Leading with confidence, Teamwork

010 | 4 Steps to Become a Resilient Female Christian Leader

Being resilient in this day and age is basically as important as having a meal to satisfy your hunger. It’s unavoidable. We’re living in some really trying times at the moment and every day when you watch the news, scroll through your feed or even just talk to a colleague or family member, you realise that there are some really lost people out there getting involved in all sorts of things that is not from the Lord.
So how can we as female Christian leaders remain resilient and strong in the Lord and not be led astray by the things of this world?
In this episode, I’ll be discussing 4 ways that you can do just that. 
1. Pray and put on the armour of God, every single morning
Ephesians 6:10-18 - New International Version
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour r of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Becoming resilient means you are able to cope with life’s challenges, changes, and uncertainties and being able to bounce back.
Putting on the armour of God and praying on a daily basis for God to help you with life’s challenges, changes and uncertainties will greatly increase your resilience as you trust in Him.
God wants us to trust in Him and go to Him with our problems.
My prayer is always for God to give me Wisdom, Insight and knowledge above my ability and understanding and for a spirit of discernment in every single decision that I make in my day and the people that I work with. I ask God to show me His way for the day and help me with every decision I need to make.
We have to realise that there are many bad people and bad things in this world that try to break and tear us down, and the last thing Satan wants is for you to step out every day wearing the armour of God. It’s basically the Wild West out there and we’re fighting just to stay alive. That sounds a bit rough, but I don’t think we should underestimate the spiritual battles going on right now in the spiritual realm.
What Satan does want though is for us to fall and never get back up again. He will always fight to keep us in the deep dark pits of hell where we feel we just can’t continue anymore and feel absolute despair as if our only response is to give up.
Pray and pray and pray some more, before every meeting, before emails, and get into the habit of trusting God for everything throughout your day.
2. Surround yourself with other believers
Where do you surround yourself with other believers?
Church, connect groups, friends, family, people who love you for you and will support you through tough times at work, that can pick you up when you fall, that can plough into you
3. Caring for yourself
- Mentally
- Spiritually
- Physically
4. Journaling
By journaling you gain the ability to see your progress over time builds resilience as you look over how strong you were during that time, and how you can’t believe you made it through, it also strengthens your relationship with God as you see how he carried you through. At the moment you might not see it, but when you are through it, you look at and you will stand in awe.
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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 call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program
Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information.
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

009 | 6 ways to set clear expectations with your team (Setting Clear Expectations #2)

Setting Clear Expectations #2
Welcome to the second episode of the Setting Clear Expectations series. 
In this second episode, we'll discuss 6 definitive ways you can ensure you set clear expectations with your team so that there is absolutely no confusion!
Here they are:
Expectations must be realistic and obtainable
Staff need to have clear objectives and must be linked to key results - understand what success will look like, provide context and further clarity where required
Expectations must be measurable and linked to metrics
Staff must be kept accountable & offered support
Expectations and staff need to have clear deadlines and timeframes
Expectations must be Communicated and documented
Setting clear expectations is crucial for effective leadership. When a leader communicates their expectations clearly, team members have a precise understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and performance standards.
This clarity minimises confusion, reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings, and fosters a sense of direction and purpose within the team. Moreover, clear expectations provide a basis for accountability, enabling leaders to measure and evaluate team performance objectively.
Overall, setting clear expectations not only enhances efficiency but also builds trust, boosts morale, and contributes to the achievement of organisational goals.
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 call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program
Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate Here to sign up for more information.
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

008 | Setting Clear Expectations: 5 ways to tell whether your team understand the expectations

Hey Friend!
"A study by Gallup shows that nearly half of all U.S. employees don’t know what’s expected of them at work.
The survey measures several workplace elements, including employees' level of agreement about clarity of expectations, opportunities for development and their opinions counting at work.
The study’s authors believe that employees are less engaged at work when they do not have a clear understanding of what’s required of them."
This made me wonder, how can we as leaders, truly know whether our expectations were clear or not?
So in today’s episode, I’ll be sharing 5 ways you can tell whether your expectations were clear or not.
Then in the next episode on Wednesday, I’ll be discussing how you can ensure you set clear expectations every single time.
Here are 5 ways to tell whether your expectations were clear or not:
Confusion
Deadlines
Performance
Results
Engagement
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 call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
 
Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program
Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information.
 
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

007 | 7 steps to deal with workplace gossip as a female Christian leader (Gossip Series #5)

Gossip Series #5
Please listen to Episode #1-4 if you haven't yet. 
I left the best for last and I am super pumped to chat with you today about navigating gossip as a female Christian leader.
Get your notebook and pen handy, because this is going to be a super tactical episode.
Let’s do it!
So by now you know all the negatives and you know that I feel super passionate about you doing something about those gossip girls, those gossip queens, the grapevine guardians.
But what do you do about it?
Are you ready, here we go.
Pray
Pray every single day that God will guide you, and give you wisdom and knowledge in every situation.
Put on the armour of God:
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
2. Do self-reflection
Ask yourself these questions and answer honestly.
Do I gossip?
Do I inadvertently encourage gossip?
Do I talk the talk, but not walk the walk?
Do I demand my team to respect each other, but I yell, embarrass, belittle, slander or gossip about my team?
You don’t have to share this with anyone. But all I’m asking is for you to be honest with yourself, right here right now and in this moment.
When you join my 6-month group coaching program, we do this together, 1:1.
I am going to help you dive deep into you and your leadership style. The aim is not to make you feel inadequate, target your inadequacies
No, the aim of this is to understand who you are and why you are the way you are because this greatly impacts your leadership style.
3. Assess the current situation at work
Complete the free risk assessment on gossip in your workplace. You can gain access to this by simply joining the free Facebook community.
Identify the gaps and come up with an action plan
This may include creating clearer boundaries surrounding no-gossip in your workplace, SOPs regarding addressing workplace culture issues etc.
Involve your leadership team and train them to understand the importance of getting rid of gossip and why.
Now, when you join my 6-month group coaching program, we delve very deep into this process and I work through the risk assessment with you, I support you in identifying the gaps, we put the action plan together, we create guidelines, policies, procedures, pledges, SOP’s, everything you will and might need, we’ll be doing it together and I’ll be holding your hand every step of the way.
4. Speak to your whole team about the new expectations moving forward
Gather your team and let them know that you are committed to providing them with an environment that is positive, encourages growth mindsets and is a safe space for them to be in. Let them know that gossip will no longer be tolerated and that you are making a commitment and would like them to make a commitment as well, to strive for a gossip-free environment.
When you join my program, I will provide you with a script and we’ll run through this together, I will coach you through the whole process and we’ll even do a couple of practice runs when your team don’t agree or doesn’t want to participate or when they are being difficult. What do you do? We’ll be doing some intensive training on this so you are super prepared and know exactly what to do and say.
5. Start spotting the gossipers
Start documenting when and where people are gossiping, and who are they gossiping about.
I would recommend keeping a OneNote document with each of your team members having their own tab and then just start keeping notes on each of them. This will greatly help you down the line when you have to have more serious conversations with them or even issue warnings etc.
If you are not keeping individual notes on your team yet, I would highly recommend you start.
This in particular felt icky to me as a leader because the bible says in 1 Corinthians 13 1:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
And in Jeremiah 31:34
“Implicitly, God does not keep a record of sins. As he promises through Jeremiah, concerning "the least to the greatest": "And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins"
However, this is different because if you want to set the bar high, if you want to set the standard, you need to take the necessary actions, which include keeping people accountable for their actions.
6. Support your team
Support the staff who are committed to change and train and support new staff coming into your work environment. Make sure that they all receive training, especially the new staff so they know the expectations on them with regards to gossip (basically that it’s a gossip-free zone).
7. Provide an ongoing positive work environment
For each team that will look different. Ask your team what they want this positive work environment to look like. Does that include team building, effective communication training, Friendly Fridays, online staff meetings, get-togethers etc. The Sky’s the limit.
How does this sound to you? Doable? I hope so!
I’d like to personally invite you into the first round of the 6-month group coaching program where you will take some serious action to move your workplace/department or organisation from toxic to thriving.
Do you want a proven system that has helped countless other leaders take their organisation to the next level?
By getting rid of gossip, you can provide a safe and harmonious workplace environment for your entire team! How does that sound?
Awesome right?
But, you’ve got deadlines, you’ve got reports, you have training to complete, new employees, interviews, and then on top of that you might have your own family needing you at home, and you just don’t know when you’ll find the time to figure it all out because you do not have the time to sit still and to think about.
You’re probably listening to this podcast in your car or whilst you doing something else because you do not have the time to simply just sit and listen, let alone complete an audit of the current situation and come up with an action plan.
That’s where the program comes in. Do you have 1 hour a week, that you can commit? Do you have 1 hour that you can utilise to go through the program and within 6 months, get rid of gossip… for good!
For a moment, visualise what a work environment without gossip looks like, feels like and sounds like.
You can hear your team chatting about sports, the new local cafe that’s opened, and their favourite coffee spots along the beach. There’s not a bad or negative vibe or word in sight.
That’s what I want for you. Nights where you can sleep not worrying about the workplace culture issues at work.
Peace at home because you’re not taking your frustration with your team, out on your partner, your husband, your wife or even your kids. Because let’s be honest, they often get the short end of the stick.
You gain back the time you’ve spent on mediating conflict, claims of bullying, claims of discrimination and the list goes on.
This is all possible.
Please go to womenoffaithinleadership.com and fill out the application form to join the program.
I will be in contact with you shortly after.
I look forward to seeing you next week, with a brand-new episode.
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 call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program
Sign up for my upcoming Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate HERE to sign up for more information.
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

006 | 10 Devastating consequences gossip can have on an organisation (Gossip Series #4)

Gossip Series #4
In the previous episode, we discussed the 8 damaging consequences gossip can have on an individual. If you haven’t listened to it, head there now and then come back to listen to this episode where we’ll be discussing the 10 devastating consequences gossip can have on the organisation.
By now, It’s no secret that I feel passionate about eradicating gossip in your workplace.
Today, I want to talk to you about the devastating consequences gossip can have on your organisation.
Let’s start by looking at this from a workplace environment perspective:
1. It will cause a toxic work environment - which can lead to fixed mindsets where people are unwilling to change, unwilling to accept change and unwilling to grow themselves or the organisation.
2. Decreased Innovation: Gossip can stifle creativity and innovation as employees may be hesitant to share new ideas or take risks for fear of becoming the subject of gossip. This can hinder an organization's ability to adapt and compete effectively.
Let’s look at this from a Human Resources perspective:
3. It will cause high staff turnover. After all, why would someone stay in your organisation if they are being bullied and mistreated?
Your HR team will be working extremely hard to attract talent and then also to retain it because people will come and then go again if the environment is toxic.
4. This can then cause damage to the organisation’s reputation. Remember people talk. They will leave the organisation and tell people not to go and work for it as it has a toxic culture.
5. It can cause legal issues. People who decide to not leave the organisation might take legal action against the people who they believe are bullying them, discriminating against them, harassment claims, a hostile work environment or even defamation claims.
This leads us to the financial consequences gossip can have:
6. Legal costs - to deal with any claims that have been made as mentioned in the previous section
7. Increased employee turnover, will cost the company time and money. The cost of recruiting, hiring, and training new employees to replace those who leave can be significant.
8. Decreased Productivity: Gossip often leads to decreased productivity as employees spend time engaging in gossip rather than focusing on their tasks. This can result in missed deadlines, incomplete projects, and overall lower output, all of which can impact an organization's financial performance.
9. Increased Absenteeism: Gossip-related stress and anxiety can lead to increased absenteeism, as employees may take sick days or personal days to avoid the workplace. This can result in additional costs related to paid time off and the need to cover absent employees.
10. Customer Perception: If gossip about internal issues becomes public or reaches customers, it can affect their perception of the organization. Negative publicity or a damaged reputation can impact customer trust and loyalty.
Feeling stuck and don't know what to do?
If you are feeling stuck, I’d like to invite you into my No More Gossip 6-month group coaching program, where I’ll be taking you through my step-by-step system of eradicating gossip and going from toxic to thriving. 
Why 6 months? Because to truly get rid of gossip not for a week, not even for a month, but forever, you will need 6 months to implement the steps and then enjoy a wonderful workplace culture for many many years to come.
Getting rid of gossip will improve your team’s morale, it will increase productivity and ultimately make your workplace a place where people want to be.
So what are you waiting for? Go to womenoffaithinleadership.com and fill out the application form. From there, we will jump on a Zoom call and we’ll discuss the program and how you can get started.
As this is a group program, there will be limited spots available.
Stay tuned because in the next episode, we’ll be finishing up the gossip series with the best episode yet. I have saved the best for last!
And don’t forget, I have some freebies for you when you join the Facebook community.
A risk assessment and management tool, that you can use to assess the risk and consequences of gossip in your workplace.
A workplace Culture Survey, which you can give to your team to fill out at your next team meeting, so you can start assessing what everyone’s mindset is regarding the current workplace culture. This will indicate to you either how aware or oblivious people in your team are regarding the issue that you have been experiencing.
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 call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program
Sign up for my upcoming No-More-Gossip Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate here to sign up for more information.
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

005 | 8 Damaging consequences of workplace gossip on individuals (Gossip Series #3)

Gossip Series #3
Welcome to the 3rd part of the Gossip Series. In part 1 we answered the question ‘Is it really gossip?’
In part 2 we had a look at what God says about gossip in the bible.
If you haven’t listened to it yet, I’d highly encourage you to listen to them first.
Gossip can have some really devastating and damaging consequences for the person who is being gossiped about.
In this episode, I discuss 8 devastating consequences workplace gossip can have on the individuals being gossiped about. 
Damage to Reputation: Gossip can tarnish an individual's reputation, leading to personal and professional setbacks.
Erosion of Trust: Gossip erodes trust among peers and colleagues, leading to strained relationships.
Negative Emotional Impact: Gossip can cause stress, anxiety, and even depression, negatively affecting an individual's mental health.
Isolation: Those targeted by gossip may feel isolated and excluded, leading to a sense of loneliness.
Impaired Self-Esteem: Individuals subjected to gossip may experience a decline in self-esteem and self-confidence.
Reduced Productivity: Gossip consumes time and energy, reducing an individual's productivity at work or in personal life.
Impact on Mental Well-being: Gossip can lead to mental health issues, contributing to a negative overall well-being.
Has 2 parts:
a. It can affect their relationship with God and
b. it's the same as letting Satan loose into your workplace. Remember James 3:1-12 says: “And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself”
As leaders, we have a duty of care towards the person being gossiped about. We have to protect them from the harm that gossip can cause.
All organisations have risk assessments in place. Why, because they assess the risk of any decision being made, any new equipment being purchased or any new procedure being implemented.
So as to protect the organisation from harm, but more importantly, to protect the people in their organisation. That’s why we have insurance in place as well, right?
So why are we not risk assessing gossip and the consequences it can have?
I have therefore created 2 free resources that you can access when you join the Facebook Community:
A risk assessment and management tool, that you can use to assess the risk and consequences of gossip in your workplace.
A workplace Culture Survey, which you can give to your team to fill out at your next team meeting, so you can start assessing what everyone’s mindset is regarding the current workplace culture. This will indicate to you either how aware or oblivious people in your team are regarding the issue that you have been experiencing.
Go to www.womenoffaithinleadership.com - join the Facebook Community and download your free resources today.
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, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan/
Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program
Sign up for my upcoming Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate here to sign up for more information.
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

004 | What God Reveals About Gossip in the Bible (Gossip Series #2)

Gossip Series #2 
Have you ever wondered what God thinks about gossip? Have you ever wondered what the bible says about gossip? In this episode, I dive deep into the bible to discover what God thinks about gossip and what the bible says about it.
Gossip is extremely destructive, yet people continue to do it without understanding the real consequences of it. The bible clearly and very strongly speaks against gossip and warns of the consequences, should you decide to gossip or even listen to gossip.
Gossip, you see, it's like a sneaky toxin that can poison the very essence of our communities, and yet, it often slips by unnoticed. But here's the thing: the Bible doesn't mince words when it comes to gossip. It offers clear warnings and powerful insights into the ripple effects it can create.
This episode has some serious truth bombs and I believe now is the time for us as Christian women to rise up and stand up against the toxic environments that gossip causes. As leaders, it is not only our duty but also our duty of care towards everyone we lead to eliminate gossip and enable thriving environments and communities at our workplaces.
And here's the beautiful part - as Christian women leaders, we have a unique calling to nurture environments of trust and respect, to be the change-makers who silence the whispers. It's not just a duty; it's a divine mission.
We can no longer sit back and hope that gossip with just go away. It won’t… Unless you are willing to do something about it. So why don’t you join me, join me in standing up and saying “NO MORE GOSSIP!”.
Below are all the verses in the bible that speak and warn against gossip. There are a couple of words used interchangeably, for example, slander, warnings of your ‘tongue’ and your ‘words’. They are all listed below.
Bible verses about gossip:
Prov 16:28 - A troublemaker plants seeds of strife: gossip separates the best of friends.
Prov 26:20 - Fire goes out without wood and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
2 Cor 12:20 - For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarrelling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behaviour.
Ps 15:3 - Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbours or speak evil of their friends?
1 Tim 5:13 - And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t.
Lev 19:16 - Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbour’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.
Proverbs 20:19 - “…do not associate with a gossip.”
Proverbs 11:13a - A gossip goes around telling secrets but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence
Bible verses about slander
Matt 15:19 - For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.
Mark 7:21-22 - For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
Eph 4:31 - Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour.
Col 3:8 - But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander, and dirty language.
Prov 10:18 - Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool.
1 Tim 3:11 - In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
Titus 2:3 - Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honours God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.
Titus 3:2 - They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarrelling Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
2 Peter 2:2 - Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.
Romans 1:29 - Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behaviour, and gossp.
2 Corinthians 12:20 – Both differentiate gossip from slander and condemn it as the result of a depraved mind, unfitting for Christians.
2 Thessalonians 3:11 – Both condemn “busybodies” who “speak about things not proper to mention.”
Bible verses about the tongue
Jas 3:7-8 - People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue.
Ps 34:13 - Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
Prov 13:3 - Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Prov 15:4 - Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Prov 17:20 - The crooked heart will not prosper the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.
Prov 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit
Prov 21:23 - Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. (Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his should from troubles)
Jas 3:5 - In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
Jas 1:26 - If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
Bible verses about confidentiality
Proverbs 11:13 – He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
Proverbs. 17:9a - He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
Proverbs 20:19 – He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.
Proverbs 25:9-10 - …don’t reveal the secret of another, lest he who hears it reproach you, and the evil report about you not pass away.
Matthew 18:15 - If your brother sins, go and reprove him in private…” This implies the desirability of resolving the matter one-on-one.
Bible verses about our words
Prov 10:19 - When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Prov 12:18 - There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Prov 12:19 - Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
Prov 13:3 - Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Prov 15:1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Prov 16:24 - Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy of the body.
Eph 4:29 - Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Matt 12:36 - I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak
Matt 12:37 - For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Matt 15:18 - But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Col 4:6 - Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
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 call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
Upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program
Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Navigate Here to sign up for more information.
 
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!
 
References as part of my research for this episode:
dwellcc.org. (n.d.). Confidentiality, Gossip, and Openness in the Body of Christ | Dwell Community Church. [online] Available at: https://dwellcc.org/learning/essays/confidentiality-gossip-and-openness-body-christ#:~:text=On%20the%20one%20hand%2C%20Scripture%20speaks%20strongly%20against%20gossip.&text=Romans%201%3A29%3B%202%20Corinthians [Accessed 4 Sep. 2023].
Kimball, C. (2002). Sermon on Gossip: The 8th Deadly Sin - Sermons & Articles. [online] Preaching.com. Available at: https://www.preaching.com/sermons/gossip-the-8th-deadly-sin-proverbs-188/#:~:text=Gossip%20is%20incredibly%20destructive [Accessed 4 Sep. 2023].
 

003 | Is it really gossip? Office Chatter vs Gossip. (Gossip Series #1)

Welcome to the first episode of the new Gossip Series. In this first episode, I'll be answering the question... Is it really gossip?
I've often been asked what is the difference between Office Chatter and Gossip. 
Let's define each of the terms:
Office Chatter: Office chatter refers to casual and often light conversations that take place in the workplace. It includes discussions about work-related matters, general news, and even personal topics that aren't meant to be harmful or damaging. Office chatter can help build camaraderie, create a sense of belonging, and foster a positive work environment. It's typically harmless and contributes to a healthy workplace culture.
Gossip: Gossip, on the other hand, involves discussing personal or private matters about others, often without their knowledge or consent, and frequently with a negative or judgmental tone. Gossip can be damaging as it spreads unverified information, harms relationships, erodes trust and creates a toxic work environment. It often focuses on personal aspects of someone's life that have no bearing on their work performance or job responsibilities.
Distinguishing Factors between Office Chatter and Gossip:
Intent: Office chatter aims to connect, share experiences, and create a friendly atmosphere. Gossip, however, often involves spreading information with the intention of causing harm, stirring drama, or undermining someone's reputation.
Content: Office chatter encompasses a wide range of topics, including work-related matters, shared experiences, hobbies, and interests. Gossip tends to focus on personal details, rumours, judgments, and negative assessments of individuals.
Effect: Office chatter contributes positively to workplace culture by building relationships and fostering a sense of community. Gossip has a negative impact, eroding trust, creating tension, and damaging morale.
Consequences: Office chatter can strengthen bonds and improve team dynamics. Gossip can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and a decline in productivity.
Listen as I also share what you can start doing immediately, regarding gossip in your workplace. 
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 call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Sign up here.
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!
 

002 | What is workplace culture and why you should care about it - Organisational culture, Christian Leadership, Faith, Work Family

In this episode, I discuss what workplace culture really is, why it is so important and why you should care about it.. a lot!
 
Workplace culture consists of 2 things:
The relationships between people
The things that people do
1. The relationships between people
Ask yourself the following reflective questions:
What are the relationships like at your workplace?
Do people show respect to each other or do they disrespect each other?
Do people have healthy debates or constantly engage in unhealthy conflict that has no resolve?
Do people have fixed or growth mindsets?
How do people cope with change in the organisation?
What is communication like in your workplace?
The relationships we have with one another at work affect our workplace culture. If there is a lack of respect for each other, a lack of trust, a lack of compassion and a lack of caring for each other, workplace culture will suffer. However, on the other hand, if people respect each other, trust each other, have compassion towards each other and truly care for each other, workplace culture will thrive.
2. The things that people do
What are the unwritten rules at your workplace or organisation? What are unwritten rules? Unwritten rules in the workplace, often referred to as workplace norms or informal codes of conduct, are a set of expectations and behaviours that employees follow, even though they are not explicitly documented in company policies or formal guidelines. These unwritten rules shape the work culture and influence how employees interact with each other and perform their job duties
So, think about what are the unwritten rules in your workplace. What things do people do, that are potentially unacceptable, but because everyone does it, no one cares and there are no consequences? For example, lunch breaks. Does everyone return to work on time after their lunch break, or do they simply take their time? After all, no one cares and their line managers never speak to them about returning late. This mindset can quickly spill over into other job tasks and therefore productivity and ultimately the company's bottom line will suffer. 
In this episode, I discuss 4 steps that you can follow to commence changing workplace culture in your workplace. 
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 call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
 
3. Sign up for my upcoming From Gossip to Growth Program (launching in 2024), where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide to get rid of workplace gossip… for good! Sign up here.
 
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

001 | Podcast Introduction - My journey, testimony and why I started this podcast - Christianity, Leadership, Faith

Welcome to the Women of Faith in Leadership Podcast.
In this very first episode of the podcast, I share my journey, my testimony and why I started this podcast.
I was born and raised in South Africa and grew up in the church, surrounded by friends, family and colleagues (eventually) that were all Christian. I also met my husband in the church.
My husband, myself and our 2.5-year-old daughter immigrated to Australia in 2014 and it was only really then, that I understood the true meaning of being a Christian. I was surrounded by non-believers and I was 1 of only 2 people at my new workplace in Australia. My faith and relationship with the Lord grew immensely during a very tough time. Some people purposefully went out of their way to be mean, blaspheme, and use the Lord's name in vain in front of me. There were also a lot of worldly discussions about what they did on the weekend and I just didn't get involved in any of those conversations. Gossip was also rampant in that workplace and to be honest, it was a toxic environment. I was culture-shocked for a while, wondering if we had made the right decision to move from South Africa to Australia. It was a tough time and I had to stand firm in my beliefs and in my faith. The Lord has blessed me truly for my faithfulness in Him and my trust in Him. 
Skip a couple of years and a few other work environments, I had the wonderful opportunity to lead a team. I knew this was my time to decide what workplace culture I wanted, not only for me but for my team. I wanted my team to thrive at work, to enjoy coming to work and for that to happen, there could be no gossip, no negativity, no fixed mindsets. So I had to go to work. That time was tough as well because I had to weed out the people who refused to change. I definitely ruffled some feathers and a lot of people were upset with me. However, I also had great supporters and people who were in my corner wanting the same thing as me. But overall, I had God in my corner.
I prayed a lot during that time and God showed me the way. He gave me the necessary tools and steps I needed to take to get rid of gossip... for good! in my upcoming From Gossip to Growth program (launching in 2024), you will be able to learn these steps and with my support and God behind you, you'll be able to get rid of gossip in your workplace as well. If you'd like to put your name down on the waiting list for the program, please fill out this form: No-More-Gossip Program waiting list.
I became really passionate during this time about workplace culture and started understanding why it was crucial that I maintained a positive and constructive workplace culture. COVID hit and because we were all like a work family, we were able to support each other immensely.
I believe it is important that you start thinking of your team as your work family. Depending on your working hours, you spend more time at work than what you do at home with your own family. Therefore it is crucial that we realise that the environment at work is in fact important because you spend a lot of time there.
I also share how the Lord called me into the women's ministry and how I always thought He meant in a church. But this podcast is what He meant. When I spent time with Him and in His word, He showed me that this podcast would be the ministry He called me into. I am here to serve you through Him, through His glory. 
So, if you have been engulfed in a toxic workplace environment with an organisational / workplace culture that isn't ideal, then you are in the right place!
Stay tuned, because, in the next episode, I will be discussing 'What is workplace culture and why you should care about it'.
Directly after that, I will be delving into a Gossip series where I will be discussing what gossip is, how it differs from everyday office chatter, what the bible says about gossip, what are the consequences of gossip and why we can't afford to just ignore it.
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 call, simply email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Sign up for my upcoming No-More-Gossip Program, where I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide of getting rid of workplace gossip… for good, in your workplace. Sign up here.
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!