Women of Faith in Leadership | Leading with integrity, Leadership Self-doubt, Christian Leadership, Leading with confidence, Teamwork

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!

000 | Welcome to the Women of Faith in Leadership Podcast!

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!