10 Leadership Tips for Catholic Women
“Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3).
I have served as the executive director of The GIVEN Institute for two and a half years. Prior to this role, I worked for the Archdiocese of Baltimore in various roles in schools and parishes, slowly moving up the ranks from internships to entry-level positions to management. My journey to leadership has been steady and has included major turning points in graduate school, pointed conversations with supervisors, and a phenomenal mentor. When I was asked to share my thoughts on leadership, I compiled a list of tips that I have found successful in my own career:
1. Celebrate Wins and Losses, and Keep Notes Along the Way
My first supervisor took his staff out to lunch every Monday. We sat around the table at Pasta Blitz and shared our wins and losses from the weekend. Saturday and Sunday were our hardest work days, since we worked at a Catholic parish. We learned from one another, praised each other, and embraced each other in our humbling moments. My boss was a priest, and he took notes of our progress and our areas of growth. I have kept this as a personal practice, recording wins and losses in my journal in all my positions since that time.
2. Attend Networking Events, and Always Have Business Cards on Hand
I have business cards in my wallet, glove compartment, work bag, fanny pack, and diaper bag. I am always prepared to wrap up a networking conversation with the opportunity to continue the discussion. Some of my business cards have my headshot on them so that the person I engage with doesn’t forget who I am once he or she gets home and pulls my card out.
3. Follow up After Events, and Write Thank-you Notes
After you pull out those business cards you collected at an event, be sure to shoot an email or message those contacts on LinkedIn (not on other social media platforms!). Also, a handwritten note is never forgotten. It is most useful after meaningful conversations or as a token of gratitude for support. Thank-you notes, or even Mass cards, solidify lasting connections.
4. Dress, Walk, and Talk Like the Leader You Want to Be (During and Outside Work)
Even if you serve in an entry-level position, start practicing your leadership now. Speak up, volunteer for projects, and make yourself noticeable. Sometimes, the best way to stand out in this way is through your exterior presentation. Wearing professional clothing at work and modest, tasteful clothing on the weekends is key. I try to buy a nice suit once each year to keep up my wardrobe.
5. Don’t Gossip at Work
The road to leadership will present many challenges and many critics. It’s important to have someone to discuss these difficulties with, but make sure it’s someone you don’t work with. Always avoid gossip at work, because it never ends well, and remember that it often occurs in the lunch room rather than the board room.
6. Don’t Work With Your Family or Your Friends
There are many opinions on this topic, but in my experience, it’s best to separate your work relationships from your personal relationships. For example, as soon as my children were of school age, I resigned from my position as assistant principal of the school they were entering. It is impossible to enforce the handbook with the people you spend time with by the pool in the summertime.
7. Take the Blame
I learned this lesson early on: Apologizing for mistakes and even taking the blame for a team issue draws people to your side. Humility is attractive, and you are quickly forgiven.
8. Surround Yourself With Excellent Advisers and Mentors
I recommend having a mentor in your field of work. When you look at that person, you should be able to say to yourself, “I want to be where she is in 10 years.” A mentor is someone who commits to working toward your professional goals and accompanying you on a regular basis.
You might only meet with an adviser once or twice, but having time with him or her is invaluable. Advisers are someone about whom you might say, “I want to end up like her in the long run.” They have achieved the pinnacle of your field’s success and will help you solve the problem that you bring to that one-time conversation. Don’t waste those moments.
9. You Don’t Have to Work 40 Hours or From 9 to 5, but You Have to Meet Your Deadlines
Besides my initial internships, I have never kept a typical 9-5 schedule. Once I proved my capabilities, I created a flexible schedule that met my needs as a whole person. For example, I took a daily 45-minute break in between teaching to exercise in the gym at the school where I worked and did my lesson-planning at night. I currently work during nap times and in the evenings so that I can eat meals with my children or attend school functions during the day. However, all of this flexibility is contingent upon getting the job done on time and well.
10. Be an Expert in Your Field
Professional development is a lifelong practice. If your employer doesn’t offer it, find it yourself. Read more, or take a course. It’s important to always be perfecting your craft so you can do your work well—and so that other talent doesn’t outperform you.
For working moms, the following tips are self-explanatory and as simple as they seem:
Don’t apologize for being a mother.
If you’re not in a supportive environment, leave.
Work hard when you have child care; don’t waste time chatting or surfing the internet!
When your child care falls through, don’t stress. You’ll do the work eventually.
In the words of one of my advisers, Helen Alvaré, be even more present as they grow older.
Rachel Harkins Ullmann serves as the Executive Director of The GIVEN Institute, a not-for-profit organization that seeks to activate the gifts of young adult women for the Church and for the world. Prior to joining GIVEN, Rachel worked in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for over twelve years supporting parishes and schools with their advancement efforts. Rachel has also taught theology courses in Catholic schools and served as Campus Minister at Mount de Sales Academy under the leadership of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she majored in theology and catechetics and obtained her master’s in education administration from Johns Hopkins University. Rachel is a harpist and has traveled to Australia, Israel, and all over Europe (favorite cities being Rome, Lourdes, and Fatima). She serves on the Board of Directors for the Mother Mary Lange Guild for Canonization and the St. Kateri Conservation Center. Her greatest source of joy is her husband Tony and her children, Evangeline, Cooper, and Theodore.