Kate Coleman: 7 Deadly Sins of Women in Leadership

“God didn’t call me in spite of who I am but because of who I am … and that’s true of all of us.” — Rev. Dr. Kate Coleman

Listen in on our fall book club interview as Women Scholars and Professionals book club host Jasmine Obeyesekere conducts an online discussion with author and Christian leader Rev. Dr. Kate Coleman where they talk about internal challenges for women leaders as we pursue our callings.

In this finale of our Fall Book Club, we engage in conversation with Rev. Dr. Kate Coleman about her book 7 Deadly Sins of Women in Leadership: Overcome Self-Defeating Behaviour in Work and Ministry. You’ll enjoy this rich conversation even if you weren’t able to participate in the book club!

Kate Coleman examines internal attitudes and habits that sabotage women’s leadership. In a landscape that has some understanding on external forces that undercut women’s leadership, Kate’s contribution is unique since she addresses barriers within women that negatively impact how women lead. She describes seven common ways that women undermine their own leadership, sometimes unknowingly. Kate’s combination of theology, research, anecdotes, personal insights and practical tips will help women overcome unhealthy mindsets and lead well. Kate sees work as sacred and our platforms as pulpits, her book will help us lead from our rootedness in Christ.

Rev Dr Kate Coleman is the founding director of Next Leadership, an organization that seeks to transform leadership by equipping leaders in the public, private, voluntary and church arenas to serve well in the world of today and tomorrow. Rev. Dr. Coleman’s “firsts” include being the first black woman Baptist minister in the UK, the first black woman President of the Baptist Union and the first black female Chair of the Evangelical Alliance Council. She has had the distinction of preaching at the opening services of both the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences. She has worked with the United Nations in creating leadership development curricula for women leaders. In 2021 she was recognized as one of the top 25 Women Racial Justice Champions by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Kate was born in Ghana and called into leadership soon after she became a Christian as a student at Southampton University where she studied biochemistry and pharmacology. She earned her doctorate at the University of Birmingham.

So jump right in! We're so glad you're here.

— Jasmine Obeyesekere

Rev. Dr. Kate Coleman is the founding director of Next Leadership. She has 35 years of leadership experience in the church, charity, voluntary, and business sectors, and is a mentor and coach to leaders from diverse sectors, backgrounds, and communities. Kate was the first black woman Baptist minister in the UK and has been recognized as one of the 20 most influential black Christian women leaders in the country. A popular speaker and lecturer, Kate has gained a reputation as a pioneer, visionary, and an inspiration to many. She now serves as a strategic advisor who mentors, coached, and supports leaders and organizations locally, nationally in the UK, and internationally around the globe with a network extending across all sectors and church denominations. Her contributions have been featured in the mainstream press, radio,and TV. She is a Certified Stakeholder Centered Coach and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).

You can listen on iTunes or at The Women Scholars and Professionals Podcast. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

Listen on your favorite podcast platform, or click through to listen to our interview with Kate on:

• iTunes

• Spotify

• Podbean

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Further resources for this interview:

• 7 Deadly Sins of Women in Leadership: Overcome Self-Defeating Behaviour in Work and Ministry by Kate Coleman