Women of Faith in Leadership - Kingdom Leadership, Workplace Organisational culture, Christian women
Business & Economics Podcasts
The Go-to podcast for female Christian leaders who want to lead God’s way and become the leaders God has called them to be! Are you a passionate female Christian Leader who is seeking to change the toxic workplace culture at your current workplace? Are you tired of constantly having to deal with gossip, conflict, a lack of communication, bad attitudes or workplace bullying? Do you battle with balancing faith-based leadership principles and the worldly perspectives of your colleagues and team members? 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? In this podcast, you will find solutions to your workplace culture problems and the leadership challenges you face as a result of these problems. We will discuss practical faith-based leadership principles that you can start implementing as soon as today! We will discover God’s word and His way to navigate through these difficult times. So if you’re ready to tackle that toxic organisational culture, lead as a woman of faith and become the leader God called you to be, you are in the right place! Hey, I’m Rika Whelan, a Christian Workplace Culture coach, wife, mom and bible lover. During the last 19 years, I have been faced with many workplace culture issues. Gossip, conflict, a lack of communication and relationship, bullying, fighting and so much more. I couldn’t quite understand why and how people could be so mean-spirited towards each other and seemingly not even care. It was only when I stepped into a leadership role that I realised that it was due to a lack of sound leadership and boundaries that people were ’allowed’ to act the way they did. I didn’t quite know what to do at the time, and it felt at times as if I was not going to make it through my leadership journey, after all, giving up and quitting seemed like an easier route to take. I started to pray and God showed me the necessary steps I needed to take to change the culture at my workplace and to keep it that way moving forward. It was by His grace alone that I was able to move forward. He gave me the courage I needed because it wasn’t an easy path. 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. So, if you are ready to finally take the necessary action to turn your toxic work environment into a thriving, peaceful and joyful workplace where you and your team enjoy coming to work. If you are ready to learn practical steps to navigate all things leadership, workplace culture, faith and boundaries.. then this is the podcast for you! 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: Head to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can: 1. Join the Free Community 2. Sign up for our email and 3. Find free resources Email Us: support@rikawhelan.com
Location:
Australia
Description:
The Go-to podcast for female Christian leaders who want to lead God’s way and become the leaders God has called them to be! Are you a passionate female Christian Leader who is seeking to change the toxic workplace culture at your current workplace? Are you tired of constantly having to deal with gossip, conflict, a lack of communication, bad attitudes or workplace bullying? Do you battle with balancing faith-based leadership principles and the worldly perspectives of your colleagues and team members? 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? In this podcast, you will find solutions to your workplace culture problems and the leadership challenges you face as a result of these problems. We will discuss practical faith-based leadership principles that you can start implementing as soon as today! We will discover God’s word and His way to navigate through these difficult times. So if you’re ready to tackle that toxic organisational culture, lead as a woman of faith and become the leader God called you to be, you are in the right place! Hey, I’m Rika Whelan, a Christian Workplace Culture coach, wife, mom and bible lover. During the last 19 years, I have been faced with many workplace culture issues. Gossip, conflict, a lack of communication and relationship, bullying, fighting and so much more. I couldn’t quite understand why and how people could be so mean-spirited towards each other and seemingly not even care. It was only when I stepped into a leadership role that I realised that it was due to a lack of sound leadership and boundaries that people were ’allowed’ to act the way they did. I didn’t quite know what to do at the time, and it felt at times as if I was not going to make it through my leadership journey, after all, giving up and quitting seemed like an easier route to take. I started to pray and God showed me the necessary steps I needed to take to change the culture at my workplace and to keep it that way moving forward. It was by His grace alone that I was able to move forward. He gave me the courage I needed because it wasn’t an easy path. 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. So, if you are ready to finally take the necessary action to turn your toxic work environment into a thriving, peaceful and joyful workplace where you and your team enjoy coming to work. If you are ready to learn practical steps to navigate all things leadership, workplace culture, faith and boundaries.. then this is the podcast for you! 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: Head to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can: 1. Join the Free Community 2. Sign up for our email and 3. Find free resources Email Us: support@rikawhelan.com
Language:
English
Email:
support@rikawhelan.com
Episodes
062 | Gaining confidence in your own abilities - Part 2: Personal Development
5/28/2024
This is part 2 of our series: Gaining confidence in your own abilities.
Today, we are discussing personal development.
Personal development will look different for each and every one of us out there. Because we're all unique and different.
In this episode, I discuss with you the steps you need to follow to gain confidence in your own abilities through personal development.
1. Reflection - reflect on why you have a lack of confidence in a certain area. If it's related to an historic event for example where someone said something about you, then ask yourself, is it true? If it's true, then do you need to do something about it to change that, like further study, speak to someone or practice those skills. If it's not true, then you need to let it go!
2. Learning - What learning do you have to do or engage in to learn more so that you can gain confidence is the thing that's holding you back?
3. Practice - Practice your new skill. You won't gain confidence by only participating in learning or listening to this podcast for example, you need to go and do the thing.
4. Feedback - Gain feedback from others so that you can improve where you still need to.
5. Get out of your comfort zone!
Next steps: 1. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
2. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching session. Just email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
Duration:00:24:25
061 | Gaining confidence in your own abilities - Part 1: Spiritual Growth
5/20/2024
The world can make us feel like failures… people can make us feel like failures, but we are capable of anything in Christ!
In this 4-part series, I’ll discuss with you how you can gain confidence in your abilities and stop feeling like a failure, stop feeling like you’re not good enough and start believing that through Christ, you can do anything you set your mind to.
We all have a story of how we came to God, whether it was a long time ago or recent. But just like any relationship, you can’t grow in that relationship if:
So too, in our relationship with God, we can’t grow, if we don’t treat the relationship, like a relationship.
6 Ways to grow spiritually and in your relationship with God: YouVersion Bible AppStay tuned, in the next couple of episodes, I’ll be chatting with you about:
and how you can use these to gain confidence in your own abilities.
Next steps: 1. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
2. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching session. Just email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
Duration:00:17:42
060 | Should Female Christian Leaders be Assertive?
5/13/2024
When I stepped into one of the biggest leadership roles I’d ever held, I wanted to be assertive.
I wanted to walk into a room, be confident (not timid because that’s how I felt) and have everybody listen to me.
That’s not what being assertive means at all… but honestly, I didn’t quite know what it meant to be assertive.
Assertiveness can often be confused with aggressiveness.
People who are assertive are often labelled as being too aggressive with their approach.
So, hence the question… should female Christian leaders be assertive?
Let’s get that question answered!
Let’s have a look first at what it actually means to be assertive…
Assertiveness According to Risely.me, assertiveness refers to the ability to express one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs in a clear, direct, and respectful manner while also considering the rights and opinions of others.
It is a communication and behavioural style that promotes open and honest expression, confidence, and self-assuredness without infringing upon the rights and boundaries of others.
Now, assertiveness is often confused with aggressiveness as I mentioned before.
Aggressiveness And aggressiveness refers to the behaviour or communication style that is characterised by forcefulness, hostility, and the disregard for the rights and feelings of others.
Aggressiveness involves a proactive approach to achieving one’s own goals or asserting one’s dominance, often at the expense of others. It can manifest in the form of verbal, physical or passive-aggressive actions.
So, should female Christian leaders be assertive? Consider the definition of assertiveness, where you express your thoughts, feelings, and needs in a clear, direct, and respectful manner while also considering the rights and opinions of others.
So in my humble opinion, yes, female Christian leaders can and should be assertive.
You might wonder how can I learn to express my thoughts, feelings, and needs in a clear, direct, and respectful manner while also considering the rights and opinions of others.
Here are a couple of tips for you: In an upcoming episode, I’ll be talking to you about how you can gain self-confidence in your abilities. I believe this to be a good follow on, because self-confidence is extremely important. If you don’t believe in yourself, other people might also not. Stay tuned for the next episode.
Next steps: 1. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
2. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching session. Just email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
Duration:00:20:06
059 | Leadership Lessons from Women in the Bible - Part 3 - Esther
5/6/2024
Now it would only be befitting to end this series with one of the bravest women in the bible, and that’s Esther. I love the story of Ester.
There are 7 leadership lessons that we can learn from Esther.
Next steps:
1. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
2. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching session. Just email me at support@rikawhelan.com
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
Duration:00:22:54
058 | Leadership Lessons from Women in the Bible - Part 2 - Deborah
4/29/2024
This is part 2 of the series Leadership Lessons from Women in the bible.
Let’s now discuss a much bigger topic, something that I know you, as the listeners have spoken about often when either joining the FB group or in the group itself during discussions, and that is being a woman in a man’s world!
There was one such woman in the bible, and her name was Deborah.
There are 4 leadership lessons we can learn from her:
Next steps:
1. Book a free 15-minute initial consultation with me: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/initialconsultation
2. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
3. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching call, email me at support@rikawhelan.com
4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!
Duration:00:13:25
057 | Leadership Lessons from Women in the Bible - Part 1 - Ruth
4/22/2024
Long gone are the days when there are only men in authority positions. Even in the bible, God used women to lead others, teach others and care for others.
In this 3-part series, I’ll discuss leadership lessons from 3 amazing women in the bible.
Part 1: Ruth One of my absolute favourite stories in the bible is the story of Ruth and Boaz. I’ve always loved it because it’s just a nice, beautiful love story. You can go read it in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament.
Now, although Ruth wasn’t a "leader", there is one valuable leadership lesson we can learn from her… she didn’t give up on her people. People in this context being her mother-in-law.
Let’s recap the story briefly: Naomi has two sons, and both of them married. One was married to Orpah and the other to Ruth.
Naomi’s husband and two sons died, and her two daughters-in-laws were with her. Naomi wanted to return to her homeland with her two daughters-in-laws but on the way, she said to them to return to their mother’s house so that they may remarry.
Orpah departed but Ruth decided to stay. She was determined to remain by Naomi’s side.
Human Nature
So often, as human beings, we tend to give up on people, especially if they hurt us or break up the friendship for whatever reason. It’s easy for us to give up on a friendship or loved one. I’ve been there, unfortunately.
What should we do as leaders?
However, as leaders, we need to rise above our human nature to give up on people. Sometimes people just need us to believe in them, have faith in them, encourage them and give them a little nudge (or push!). So never give up on your team, get to know them on a personal level (without crossing the boundaries), so that you know when they just need that extra bit of belief in you that they can do it!
Next steps: 1. Book a free 15-minute initial consultation with me: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/initialconsultation
2. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
3. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching call, email me at support@rikawhelan.com
4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
Duration:00:15:20
056 | Rerun - Is it really gossip? Gossip vs Office Chatter
4/15/2024
This is our listener's 3rd favourite episode of all time! Enjoy!
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. Book a free 15-minute initial consultation with me: https://tidycal.com/rikawhelan/initialconsultation
2. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
3. If you need any support, you can get in contact with me for a 1:1 coaching call, email me at support@rikawhelan.com
4. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!
Duration:00:15:43
055 | Rerun - Dealing with Difficult People at Work
4/8/2024
What should you do if you constantly have to deal with a difficult person at work?
Would you declare war and be difficult to them as well, or would you just let it go?
In this episode, I am going to give you some tips on how to deal with difficult people.
We’ve all worked with someone who is extremely difficult.
They don’t agree with anyone, they always ark up when people make new suggestions or suggest changes and they’ve gained a reputation for being difficult.
So much so that people saying “Oh I wonder what XX will say about that?”
First of all, as leaders, we have a duty of care towards the people in our team. If someone is being difficult, we should try and understand why.
Similar to your high school bully (or workplace bully), they usually are covering up their own hurt and trying to make up for it by being mean to others.
It doesn’t excuse the behaviour, it just explains it.
So when it comes to dealing with difficult people, here are a couple of tips:
You can also suggest that if they don’t want to talk to you, they speak to someone else like HR or another line manager.
Some people with certain personalities unfortunately are just difficult and it will do you well, to not take it personally. However, you also have to protect your team and if the person’s behaviour is affecting the team, you need to do something about it.
I’m all for accountability in the workplace. Leaders need to keep their people accountable.
I hope this was helpful. Join me again on Friday as we end the week strong.
God bless.
Next steps:
1. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
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
I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!
Duration:00:18:00
054 | Rerun - What is Workplace Culture and Why Should You Care About It?
4/1/2024
In the next 3 weeks, I'll be resharing 3 of your favourite episodes.
In today's rerun, I'm sharing one of the very first and most favourite episodes: "What is workplace culture and why should you care about it?"
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:
1. The relationships between people
Ask yourself the following reflective questions:
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 the unwritten rules in your workplace are. 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:
Let's Connect
On LinkedInOn Facebook
Duration:00:18:10
053 | The Struggle with Workplace Boundaries - Taking a short break from the podcast!
3/25/2024
Hi amazing ladies of God!
In this episode I share a bit of my personal struggle with boundaries and why I have felt it important to take a short break from the podcast.
However... I'll be re-running 3 of your favourite episodes over the next 3 weeks, while I take a break (it's school holidays here and my hubby will have time off as well).
Join the Community In the meantime, I'd absolutely love to stay connected with you. There are 2 options:
1. The Facebook Community - Click here to join
2. The brand-new WhatsApp Community - Click here to join
Alternatively fill out this survey and let me know where you'd prefer to hang out together - Click here to fill out the survey
Free Downloads RESPECT FrameworkWorkplace Gossip Risk AssessmentWorkplace Culture Survey - For your teamThe Tuckman Model - 5 stages every team will navigate, over and over again Does your team have a gossip problem? Take the quiz and find out! Let's Connect on LinkedIn
Duration:00:16:11
052 | Your Words Can Hurt - Pay attention to what you say and get involved in - lies, arguments, insults, slander, gossip, rumours, flattery, bragging, belittling
3/18/2024
As leaders, we have to be so mindful about our words, what we say and get involved in.
The NLT Study bible calls the following behaviour 'death-dealing':
As leaders, we also have influence over our team and our peers. We have to be extremely mindful of what we say and be so careful not to get involved in things that can cause others to mistrust us.
I hope you enjoy today's episode.
Freebies Workplace Gossip Risk AssessmentWorkplace Culture Survey7 Steps to eradicate workplace gossip5 Phases every team will navigate Let's Connect On LinkedInOn Facebook
Duration:00:23:51
051 | Is it Time to Break Free from Corporate Life with Anita Anello
3/11/2024
Today, I have with me a very special guest, Anita Anello. Anita has spent many years in the corporate world and reached the top of the ladder and asked herself, "Is this it?".
Anita had more in mind for her life and with the support of her husband, they prepared for her to leave her corporate job and move into entrepreneurship.
Anita shares valuable insights on dealing with toxic workplace culture, advice from previous leaders and so much more!
You definitely want to grab your favourite beverage, a notebook and pen and sit back and listen.
Links mentioned in the episode:
support@rikawhelan.comThe Gap and the Gain: The High Achievers Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success : Sullivan, Dan: Amazon.com.au: Books Connect with Anita:
https://www.therippleaffect.net/Anita Anello | LinkedIn Free Resources:
Free Resources (therippleaffect.net)
Connect with Rika
On FacebookOn LinkedIn
Duration:00:41:35
050 | Leading Through Tough Times | Servant Leadership | Relational Leadership | Leading like Jesus
3/4/2024
Celebrating 50 episodes! Thank you for listening!
Today I'm celebrating 50 episodes on the podcast and it wouldn't be possible without all the amazing women of faith who and listen and support me weekly.
To celebrate, I have a surprise for you in the episode, can you spot what's new?
_________________
In today's episode, we're talking heart-to-heart about leading through tough times.
As leaders we're role models and it can be tough to lead through tough times and still be a role-model to others.
Jesus was the perfect role-model to us when he led through the toughest times of his life.
But... the beauty is... He never did it alone! He gathered the troops, and they were with him.
You are not alone in this!
Listen in as God speaks through me a message for you today.
_________________
Join the Community
Click here to join the community on Facebook
SURVEY
Where do you hang out (on which platform?). Click here to let me know.
Duration:00:22:23
049 | Leading with Kindness. Leading like Jesus. Kindness is not a weakness!
2/26/2024
Kindness is not a weakness!
In another Godly download, I share with you how you can lead with kindness in your workplace. Jesus was a great example to us as a leader and He led with kindness at all times.
As women of faith in leadership, we have the most amazing opportunity to:
I cannot wait for you to listen to this episode and share your thoughts with me.
LET'S CONNECT
Women of Faith in Leadership CommunityRika Whelan 1 QUESTION SURVEY
Fill it out now
Duration:00:27:23
048 | Praying for your team. Being a role-model. Be like Jesus. Being an Instrument of the Lord
2/19/2024
In this episode, we talk about praying for your team.
Should we pray for our team members as leaders? And what should we pray? Should we pray for them to change? Should you pray for their souls to be saved?
In this episode, the Lord shows us that we are more like Jesus than we know or think.
Jesus was a leader to His disciples and although there were so many things that the disciples did that Jesus could have been really disappointed with or He could have scolded them... He didn't. He loved them, he was kind and most of all, He prayed for them.
Pray that the Lord will use you as an instrument to lead your team.
Pray that the Lord will show you and guide you to lead your team like Jesus did.
Lean back and trust in the Lord, ask Him today for your daily bread and trust Him for today.
As women we often suffer from imposter syndrome, and we believe that we are not worthy and that we are not good enough.
God has a message for you today... you are good enough! You are worthy! You are not an imposter, because He chose you! You are His daughter. And He has chosen you for a time like this.
Lean back, trust Him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and all your spirit and all your mind.
I trust that this episode will bless you as much as it blessed me.
LET'S CONNECT
On Facebook: Women of Faith in Leadership Community
CONNECTION SURVEY - Where would you like to connect?
Vote in this 1 question poll here
Duration:00:28:37
047 | Engaging a Faith-aligned Mentor
2/12/2024
Have you ever considered engaging a mentor or coach to support you in your leadership role?
Perhaps your line manager is your mentor or someone else at work?
In a recent article, Forbes magazine said, “Having a mentor is more than just setting and achieving goals; it's about having someone in your corner who can provide valuable feedback, encouragement and support to help you grow both professionally and personally.”
So, in this episode, I’d like to discuss the topic of engaging a faith-aligned mentor.
The bible shows us that mentorship is not a new concept. We can see that there were many mentor/mentee relationships in the bible:
(Extract from Lifeway) Enjoy the episode as I discuss ways of engaging a faith-aligned mentor and ensuring it's the right person to mentor you.
NEXT STEPS:
Connect with me on LinkedInJoin the Facebook Community
Duration:00:21:32
046 | When Leaders Gossip in Your Organisation - What You Can Do as a Fellow Leader
2/5/2024
What should or could you do, when one of your employees is not actually the problem at work, but rather a fellow leader or even your line manager or 2-up?
In this episode, I'll discuss with you my first-hand experience of dealing with a situation like this and suggest some ways that you can go about solving this problem.
Being in a leadership role can be tough. We have multiple different challenges every single day and problems that we have to solve. We're also pushed out of our comfort zone often!
One of those uncomfortable situations, could be having a crucial or tough conversation with someone.
We often avoid having tough conversations because we don't know how the other person is going to react.
But their reaction is on them... it's not your responsibility. What you can control and what is your responsibility is your actions, your words and controlling your emotions.
1. Make an appointment to speak with this person
2. Prepare well, write down some key words or phrases that you can take with you (in case you freeze up)
3. Approach the person calmly, instead of going in guns blazing ready to defend and attack.
4. Address the issue as a collective issue, saying that you are concerned for the gossip culture and that other employees are worried as well. Ask them if they would be able to commit to creating a gossip-free culture and share with them the RESPECT Framework (Listen to episode 46 for more information) to get rid of gossip.
5. If they get defensive, state the facts. stick to the facts and do not take it personal. It's personal to them, not to you.
6. Follow up after the meeting
7. Get other leaders, line managers involved and committed to a gossip-free environment.
Mentioned in the Episode
John Maxwell - 360° Leadership (from Amazon)
Let's Connect
On LinkedInJoin the Private Facebook group communityReceive the weekly newsletter Free Downloads
RESPECT FrameworkWorkplace Gossip Risk AssessmentWorkplace Culture SurveyThe Tuckman Model
Duration:00:31:14
045 | A 7-step Framework for Eradicating Workplace Gossip
1/29/2024
In this episode, I share with you a 7-step framework for eradicating workplace gossip.
If you want to create an environment where everyone respects each other, where employees have a growth mindset, are productive, love coming to work and your workplace is an overall joy to be in, you need to take the necessary steps to eradicate workplace gossip.
It can be difficult to confront employees who gossip, but I have made it simple for you with this 7-step framework.
To download a free copy of the framework, click here.
From Gossip to Growth Program
Join the 'From Gossip to Growth' program where we'll go into each step of the framework during a 2-day intensive workshop on Zoom. I'll also provide you with all the templates, documents and scripts you need as part of this process.
Click here to join the program.
Join the Women of Faith in Leadership Community
Click here to join us on Facebook.
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Click here to connect.
Duration:00:28:42
044 | Building Gossip-Resilient Teams
1/22/2024
When building high-performing teams, we frequently focus on traditional indicators of success. However, a critical yet often overlooked aspect is the team's resilience to gossip. Cultivating gossip-resilient teams is essential for achieving true high performance in the workplace.
Teams need to be able to withstand gossip, no matter if it's because of a new employee, someone having a slip-up (they can 100% happen when we're having a bad day) or for another reason.
In this episode I discuss 10 ways that you can build a gossip-resilient team.
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ANNOUNCEMENT:
I am currently enrolling students for the beta program (the first cohort) of my brand-new program From Gossip to Growth where you'll learn the exact steps you need to follow to eradicate workplace gossip!
As a member of the beta program, you will receive 90% discount on the program! All that I ask for is for feedback on the program and a review of the program itself.
The beta program will run on 5-6 February 2024 and you can find more information on gossiptogrowth.com.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the program.
Duration:00:28:23
043 | 8 Ways to gossip-proof your onboarding process
1/15/2024
How can you ensure that new employees don’t gossip?
Imagine this, you have a completely gossip-free environment, a positive company culture, and great team communication and then… a new employee comes along and ruins it.
Within weeks of them starting in your department/organisation, you notice a drastic decline in team morale, there’s misunderstanding upon misunderstanding.
You decide to ignore it because they must still be fitting in and you had such a great interview with this new employee, you feel you just want to give them a fair chance.
What would you do?
According to the Tuckman model (listen to episode 13 for more information here), all teams will go through a storming phase when a new employee comes along as they learn to work together.
However, when does this become concerning?
When it comes to gossip and negative attitudes and spread to other employees, you should always take it seriously and ensure you speak to your team, no matter how short or long they’ve been there, no matter what they’re working through in their personal lives, gossip and negative attitudes should not be taken lightly.
It can cause a lot of damage in a very short amount of time, and you’ll have to spend a significant amount of time repairing the damage.
So how can you ensure that this doesn’t happen?
You gossip-proof your onboarding process.
Listen to the episode as I discuss 8 ways to gossip-proof your onboarding process.
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Register now (obligation-free) to learn more about the upcoming program ‘From Gossip to Growth’ launching in 2024.
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Join the launch team for my upcoming book launch
Click Here
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Let's Connect
1. Navigate to https://www.womenoffaithinleadership.com where you can:
2. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikawhelan
Duration:00:12:48