What does it take to be a woman of influence?
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;
for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness;
and for poise, walk in the knowledge that
you are never alone..”
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Heidi shared this quote on her blog yesterday and it got me thinking…
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What are the characteristics displayed by a woman of influence?
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Here are a few that make my list:
- Good listener
- Gracious
- Passionately pursuing Christ
- Present
- Approachable
What would you add?
in Leadership
I was just having a quiet time when this popped up in my emails.
This morning I studied out the word poise:
In the dictionary it says to be
balanced
readied
To hold
How true is that in my life as a woman of faith in ministry or as a mom or wife.
To be balanced in EVERYTHING that I do.
To be READIED.. even in the midst of upcoming storms, have God’s words imploded in my heart and so applicable to what I am doing. Even in the calmness, be READIED to be able to share what God is doing in my life.
To HOLD– To hold onto the promises that God gives me as a woman of God.
Audrey knew the true secrets..
Thanks again Jenni for posting this quote.
I don’t know what I’d add.. but I love that list 🙂
I love your list! I think I would add something like ‘not perfect’. I think as women there are these lines we feel we need to meet in order to be respected…yet sometimes what makes a woman influential is her ability to say I don’t know everything, sometimes I mess up and it is ok.
As I pondered your list, it seems that the things listed mostly do not require words or praiseworthy acts. The only action I saw was in passionately pursuing Christ, the most important one. So, to me, a woman/mother/wife of influence is gentle and quiet, serving faithfully, patiently, and lovingly. Trusting God’s grace to bring her closer to that image every day.
I think that a sense of humor is very important. Some of the most influencial people that I know have the ability to step outside a situation, give it a second look……and laugh at it. Laughter is sometimes the best medicine!
-not a gossip
-prays with others
-is the same at home as she is at church
-supportive
-not afraid to admit when she’s wrong
-encourager
Good question
@ladybird– AMEN!!!
I think some major attributes of an admirable, influential woman would have to be that she’s driven, and authentic (which is what Jennifer hit on).
@fullofboys – yes, so important and SOOO hard to do
Able to wear a pumpkin colored pants suit on national TV…
🙂
Seriously though, A Godly confidence. Knowing who you are in God’s grace, power and giftings and boldly living that way.
a willingness to play 2nd chair.
I would add her willingness to be vulnerable. It’s difficult talking to someone who seems to have it all together.
– shares her life experiences, mistakes and resulting wisdom (goes along with the being vulnerable and REAL)
– encourager
– caring
@brent – Ha!
@tam – ooh, good one!
@Cindy – I totally agree! I am really guilty of this because I feel like I need to look like I have it all together… a bit of my perfectionist/achiever nature.
I love the list and all the added thoughts. My only add would be to place the emphasis on “influence” and not on “woman”. Yes, we are women, but too often that is more of the focus–either by limiting or by “an agenda”. All the things mentioned above are not only women—but people of influence. We can have incredible influence in all areas…and happen to be women doing it!!!
@ Rindy ……. whoa and WOW