Book for Women in Leadership

Forthe next two days, I’m featuring author Karol Ladd, author of Positive Leadership Principles for Women.

Why do youbelieve women are innately wired for leadership?
Godhas uniquely equipped women with the capacity to feel things deeply andcare passionately about the world around them. Our innate ability tonurture allows us to be effective servant leaders, and also gives us thedrive to get the job done. A recent survey concerning women in leadershiprevealed that women out-performed men in twelve out of sixteen leadershipcompetencies. Women ranked higher than men in areas such as takinginitiative, problem solving, building relationships and practicingself-development, just to name a few.

Do you thinkwomen are sometimes more reluctant to take on leadership roles than men?
Ournegative thought patterns and feelings of inadequacy can keep us from stepping forward and taking on leadershiproles. Often as women, we tend to mentally put ourselves down and defuseour own confidence, so it is important to focus on the gifts God has givenus. Much like Moses, we need to get our eyes off of our shortcomings andremember that if God has called us to a task, He will see us through it.

As parents, momsare in a special position of influence with our children. How can parentsequip their daughters to become more effective leaders?
Wecan encourage our daughters to recognize that God has equipped each one ofus with unique gifts and talents and that He has a plan and purpose forour lives. We can teach them that Jesus has given us a charge asChristians to be salt and light in this world, so each one of us has theopportunity to inspire and impact others in our schools, communities, andour work.

In your book youprofile eight Old Testament leaders who exemplify qualities that we canuse in our own lives. What common characteristic did these leaders share?
Eachof the leaders that I highlighted had one thing in common: they eachrelied on the Lord for their strength through the difficulties as well asthe victories. They leaned in hard on God’s guidance and direction. Asleaders, we too must realize we don’t have all the answers, but we knowthe One who does.

You say thatsome of the best lessons happen in the "thatched huts" of life. Whatdoes that mean?
Thisanalogy comes from a trip I took to India. While visiting a Bible collegethere, I saw that all the Bible classes for the students were held inthatched huts. I asked why their classrooms were so rugged and was toldthat the atmosphere provides a setting similar to what the students mayencounter as they journey to different regions of the country. It was areminder to me that God teaches us great lessons in some of the not-so-greatsituations in life. It is through those rough spots that He prepares usfor our journey that  lies ahead ofus.

How does Godequip the leader for what he wants that person to do?
OftenGod equips us through our challenges because they bring us to our completeneed for Him. The best way for us to be equipped for leadership is on ourknees, seeking His guidance and strength. He has equipped us with HisSpirit within us, and He has equipped us with His Word to guide us. TheBible teaches us and prepares us for what we need as leaders, so we wantto be diligent to stay in His Word.