Leading Ladies: Transformative Biblical Images for Women's Leadership

by Jeanne L. Porter

Book Overview

Drawing on stories of biblical women, Leading Ladies presents four models of "transformational leadership" that recognize the leadership styles of women in all walks of life: Intercessor, Midwife, Choreographer, and Weaver. Includes reflective questions for journaling or group discussion.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806690380
• ISBN13: 9780806690384
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Empowers women to claim their full leadership potential

Leading Ladies: Transformative Biblical Images For Women's Leadership introduces four biblical archetypes whose stories define the leadership roles played by women everyday within the home, the community, and the workplace. The "weaver" is one who braids together her vision for the future; the "midwife" helps birth ideas and dreams; the "choreographer" brings people together to celebrate; the "intercessor" advocates on behalf of others. Jeanne Porter draws upon the lessons of these ancient stories to explore the principles of what she calls "transformative leadership", an alternative to traditional styles of leadership that calls on women to lead from their spiritual core and empowers women to claim their full leadership potential. Each biblical story is complimented by stories of contemporary women whose action, ministry, and work model this leadership paradigm. Leading Ladies, with its multiethnic approach, is very highly recommended reading for women involved with church work, business, neighborhood groups, community activism, schools, women's studies, biblical studies, and individual self-improvement efforts.

Transformative thinking

Dr. Porter did an excellent job in giving us a transformative way of looking at leadership. To my surprise, it was not for Leading "Ladies" only but offers something to the heart of the very reader who will avail himself or herself to it. Offering this reading as a group study will, in my opinion, enhance the relationship and identify the strengths of individuals, as well the strengths of the group.

Leading Ladies: a new vision of leadership

Recently, I had the pleasure of purchasing and reading Leading Ladies by Dr. Jeanne Porter. To my amazement, this book was absolutely thought-provoking, innovative and literally stirred my heart as I journeyed through the pages of it. While taking a "sneak peak" at the various leadership styles (from the back of the book, of course!), I without a doubt identified myself as an intercessor. As I began to read the book and to study the corresponding scriptures, God began to unfold some things in me that needed to be birthed-the potential of the weaver, choreographer, midwife. I was oblivious to the fact that I had strongholds and preconceived notions about myself and about my leadership potential. But I thank God for removing the scales from my eyes and allowing me an opportunity to acknowledge and confront these archaic ideologies and release them to His teaching and healing power. As an intercessor, I am encouraged to go forward freely and confidently and to allow God to birth all He's placed in me (weaver, choreographer, midwife, etc.).This book is not gender-specific and is a must-read for all that are ready to move forward. I believe that your very heart and mind will be transformed if you avail yourself to the message given in this book. It is, among other things, revolutionary and will challenge and entreat you to see your God-given potential to become man or woman that God has created you to be.Thank you, Dr. Porter!

Leading Ladies: A Challenging Look at Feminine Leadership

It was a pleasure reading Leading Ladies by Dr. Jeanne Porter. This book is reader-friendly and crosses racial, age, social-economic status, and religious lines. It is a biblically based book that somehow manages to be in touch with the issues of contemporary life, including a woman's motivations and aspirations for career and ministry-related work.Dr. Porter does an excellent job of relating personal stories with creativity and dignity. As an avid Bible reader I was impressed with her ability to illuminate the lives of women of antiquity and relate them in such a way that I could not help but to celebrate my own womanhood. And yet the book is gender-friendly. I think men will enjoy reading it because it introduces them to female leadership styles and gives them insight into the feminine mind. It surely will lead them into a self-examination of their approach to leadership.The only criticism I have of the book is that while the author does address pain and trauma in leadership, the author could have related more stories of leadership by pointing out leaders who have failed in their personal lives, or in their efforts to lead others and how the principles espoused in the book could have made a difference. The worksheet included in the book is a very helpful resource for working out issues of leadership and leadership styles. It helps us to answer the question of how do I start my transformation, and what kind of leader am I?Leading Ladies is a "within my grasp" leadership-focused book in the way of motivational speaker & author Les Brown, and brings to life unique ways of looking at leadership styles like author Laurie Beth Jones.