Leading with integrity
This is where the rubber meets the road.
How do leadership principles look different for those who wish to integrate their Christian faith into their roles? Rev. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin joins us on the podcast to discuss her recent book Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender. Nicole describes the contrast between common leadership practices and the kind of sacrificial leadership that Jesus modeled for us. The conversation covers unique challenges for women leaders within this framework, and Nicole talks the ways our current cultural moment is exemplifying these leadership dynamics. Nicole brings an encouraging and bolstering energy for those of us who are longing for someone who upholds integrity as a core leadership trait. And all the way at the end, after the credits, you’ll find an excerpt from the interview where Nicole shares her recommendations for overcoming imposter syndrome.
““Show up as your authentic self. Please don’t mold yourself into what you think you ought to be or how you think you ought to be received. Just be who God has called you to be, because when you do that, you give other women permission to be themselves, and I want my daughters to have that.”
The quest to live an integrated life is worthwhile and satisfying — but it can also present real-life struggles. Even when the deep desire to follow Jesus animates our daily work, cultural forces can derail our efforts and corrode our vision. English professor Nicole Schrag continues the story of her work in the academy in this vulnerable description of the real-life struggles she has experienced in her current context. In this second piece in her series, Nicole writes of her sense of vocation, her enthusiastic ideals, and the painful clash with the cynicism and dishonesty she found within her institution.
As this series has rolled out, we’ve been hearing a lot of resonance among our readers as Nicole’s story echoes elements of their own. If you’re looking for more ways to process disillusionment with your calling, email us or leave a comment below for the community. We’d love to hear your story.
“What follows is part confession, and part lament, and writing this out is part of a search for repentance and healing. I hope that in sharing some of these challenges, others can think about how the cultures on their campuses have shaped them, for better and maybe sometimes for worse, with an eye toward thinking about what kinds of spiritual practices offer us resources for growth and perseverance in our particular institutional contexts.”
You’re Invited!
Would you (or someone you know) enjoy working with Women Scholars and Professionals? We’re looking for someone with skills in marketing & communications. Check out our job listing!
Pray with us! You can join our online, 30-minute guided prayer meetings on Fridays at 8 am, 9 am, and 12 pm (Eastern) through May 16 when we take a break for the summer. Can’t come? Send your prayer requests anyway by emailing us at wsap@intervarsity.org. Ready to pray? Join the Zoom meeting here for those Friday meetings.
Summer Book Club. Mark your calendars and join Women Scholars and Professionals this summer for a discussion of Steven Garber's The Seamless Life: A Tapestry of Love and Learning, Worship and Work. We’ll meet three times over the summer beginning on May 20. Click through for details!
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT INTERVARSITY PRESS
Transform Your Writing: A Workshop (June 23-27, 2025) Do you feel called to write but wish you had more time to focus on it? Would you like to improve your craft or learn to write more effectively? Do you need encouragement or consultation to discern next steps on your writing? If so, the Transform Your Writing workshop might be for you. Space is limited, so apply now!
IVP Faculty exam copies. Professors can request a free exam or desk copy. Register for a professional account to access this benefit!
Are you an InterVarsity alum? Use promo code IVCFALUMNI to get a 25% discount at ivpress.com.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Ages & Stages: How Women Work & Lead Across Seasons of Life. This spring the DePree Center at Fuller Seminary joins Women, Work, & Calling at The Denver Institute for Faith and Work to host a four-part webinar series explores the challenges and opportunities unique to distinct seasons of life through the experiences of women who have lived and led through them. Click through to learn more.
The Faculty Theological Collaborative (August 4-6, 2025) supports Christian professors at secular universities in faith-informed research and teaching. Cosponsored by Regent College, the Center for Christianity and Scholarship, and the Consortium of Christian Study Centers, this three-day workshop at Duke University provides advanced theological training, living examples of the unity of faith and scholarship, and rich fellowship with Christian faculty across institutions and disciplines. Click through to learn more.
Four More Things We Loved This Week
The Best Advice I’ve Ever Heard for How to Be Happy (NY Times, unlocked)
“I’m an Old Testament scholar who cares about God’s law. But posting it in public schools misunderstands who and what it’s for.” Carmen Imes offers her take on a current legal issue. (Christianity Today, unlocked)
Here’s how to shut down “predatory curiosity” (aka nosy questions). (NY Times, unlocked)
The world’s tallest and shortest dogs met for a playdate (and the video is adorable). (Washington Post, unlocked)