EDITORIAL
Discern the Times | Amy Orr-Ewing
To lead effectively, women must first prepare to say yes. Many women leaders experience an internal hesitation when new opportunities arise, often allowing self-doubt to hinder their professional growth.
Research by Christine Exley of Harvard Business School and Judd B. Kessler of the University of Pennsylvania reveals that women are significantly less likely to self-promote than their male counterparts. Their study found that even when performance is equal—such as scoring 15 out of 20 on a test—women consistently rate their own potential and results more harshly than men do.
Despite significant societal progress, many women still hesitate to seize leadership roles. This trend is particularly evident for those serving in a church or ministry setting, where traditional expectations can further complicate the path to advancement.
Pause and consider what this might mean to you or to the women you know. In my own working life, I have agonized over saying yes to opportunities to travel, speak on large platforms, or take board positions when offered them. Sometimes I have counted myself out for seemingly practical reasons. “I can’t be away because of my family.” At other times, the reluctance has been “I’m not sure I have enough experience to fulfill the role.”
I have found that for women to be open to the opportunities presented to them requires preparation on several levels. Here, I am going to be speaking directly to female readers.
1. Leave Your Comfort Zone.
It is rarely comfortable to take on new responsibilities in work or ministry. Saying yes might mean extending yourself beyond what you have achieved before, being tested in new ways, working hard, facing new physical challenges, and dealing with nerves. Staying within the zone of what we know we can manage often feels easier. But stepping out of my comfort zone has always ended up with God meeting me in my weakness and expanding my terrain in some way. Without the prayer, preparation, worry and work, I don’t think I would have grown in the way I have.
2. Get Ready to Travel.
Saying yes to opportunities may mean that you begin to operate in a wider geographical sphere than before. That could involve travel. This is a genuine consideration, since travel takes a toll on the body and consumes significant time, whether in a regular commute or in one-off trips.
For me, travel has often been difficult because I suffer from motion sickness and a back issue. But travel has also been a source of blessing, as I have encountered outstanding leaders in nearly 40 countries, seen beautiful places, and fulfilled dreams of visiting various wonders of the world.
3. Take Care of the Homefront.
The unseen labor of making your home life work when new opportunities come needs to be factored in, but don’t let this hold you back. I know that saying yes to opportunities means the laundry will be up to the ceiling, but I have learned that the practical needs I am responsible for can be taken care of if I plan well and in advance.
4. Develop Grace and Strength.
Taking advantage of opportunities might mean that you need extra grace and strength to handle others’ opinions. Jealousy might prompt some people to assume you are getting above your station; others might fear you are leaving them behind.
The judgments that women who achieve great things face are real, but they don’t really matter in the end. The truth is, women are not pushy, proud or unfeminine for stepping into opportunities that open for them.
What can you do to help women in the church rise up and say yes to God-given opportunities?