In this actionable episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole introduces The Project Triangle - a simple leadership framework for navigating moments when vision expands but capacity doesn’t. You’ll learn how to use time, budget, and quality to clarify expectations and identify tradeoffs before pressure quietly lands on you or your team

This episode equips you with clear language to negotiate added demands without sounding resistant or disengaged. If you want to lead with wisdom, protect your people, and steward energy well in fast-moving ministry environments, this is a skill you’ll use again and again.

TIMESTAMPS

01:15 - The Ministry Leadership Challenge

02:45 - The Project Triangle Explained

04:30 - Why Women Leaders Absorb Costs Personally

06:00 - Practical Examples of Negotiating Added Demands

08:15 - Leading from the Framework Instead of Emotion

Resources mentioned:
Assertiveness Cheat Sheet - kadicole.com/assertiveness

Next Steps and Resources:

• Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com.
• Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more.
• Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools.
• Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders.

Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!

In this practical episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole explains why volunteer disengagement is rarely a motivation issue and almost always a leadership signal. She breaks down the specific conditions that cause volunteers to drift - and how small leadership shifts can make a big difference.

You’ll learn how to lead volunteers with clear expectations, meaningful ownership, healthy assertiveness, and simple follow-up practices that build trust and growth. This episode equips you with practical tools to develop people - not just fill roles - so your teams stay engaged, healthy, and aligned with the mission.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Introduction - Why volunteer leadership is sacred, not secondary

2:30 - Four reasons volunteers disengage

5:15 - The role of assertiveness in volunteer leadership

7:00 - Four practical foundations:

8:45 - Provide clear, simple role descriptions

8:45 - Know your people, not just roles

10:15 - Annual check-ins and clear commitments

12:00 - Use high-attendance seasons (Easter/Christmas) for recruitment

Resources mentioned: Assertiveness Cheat Sheet. Download it at kadicole.com/assertiveness

Next Steps and Resources:

• Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com.
• Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more.
• Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools.
• Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders.

Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!

In this clarifying episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole breaks down why so many capable female leaders feel stuck early in their leadership journey. Drawing on research and ministry experience, she explains the “Broken Rung” - the missing early leadership opportunities that shape long-term growth.

You’ll learn how access shapes leadership formation, how to identify the next growth step you need, and how to ask for opportunities that build skill rather than just add responsibility. You’ll also learn why sponsorship - not just mentorship - is essential for developing future leaders and how you can begin creating access for others.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Why female leaders feel “stuck” in leadership

02:15 - The Broken Rung: Why women stall early in church leadership

04:30 - Women in church leadership statistics: Volunteers vs leadership roles

06:45 - Challenging biases about women in leadership

08:20 - Gaining “sober judgment”

10:00 - It's never too late and you haven't missed your moment!

12:15 - How sponsors help more than mentors

Next Steps and Resources:

• Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com.
• Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more.
• Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools.
• Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders.

Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!