“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Faith has long been a cornerstone of leading, guiding individuals through challenges, shaping values,
and influencing decisions. The Women Emerging podcast series, “Leading Inspired by Faith,” brought
together a diverse group of women whose beliefs, spanning Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and
Mysticism, frame their leading.
This series, Leading Inspired by Faith, explored how deeply held beliefs, whether rooted in religion,
spirituality, or cultural traditions, shape the way women lead.
Tracey Woon never set out to be a Buddhist. Yet long before she formally engaged with Buddhism,
she was already living its principles: presence, balance, and self-reflection. Calling herself the
Accidental Buddhist, she first discovered mindfulness not in a temple, but on the squash court,
where the game demanded both precision and adaptability. That lesson stayed with her, shaping her
leading in the high-stakes world of investment banking.
\u201cLeading isn\u2019t the tip of the iceberg; it\u2019s everything below it,\u201d she reflects. \u201cPeople often only see the
confidence, the decision-making, the strategy. But real leading is shaped by what\u2019s beneath the
surface, the self-discipline, the resilience, the ability to listen.\u201d For Tracey, leading is not about
dominance but about presence and clarity, a philosophy rooted in the Buddhist practice of non-
attachment. \u201cIf you hold onto a particular outcome too tightly, you become rigid. In leading, you
need to be adaptable. It\u2019s about seeing the situation clearly and responding, not reacting.\u201d
Her approach is also deeply relational. \u201cThe biggest mistake a leader can make is believing they have
to be the smartest person in the room. If you think you know everything, you stop learning. And
when you stop learning, you stop leading.\u201d Instead, she sees leading as creating space for others to
grow, a quiet strength that stands firm in values, even when no one is watching.
Beyond the tip of the iceberg, Tracey\u2019s leading reveals something deeper: a garden of honesty and
kindness that grows with each challenge, nurtured by resilience and a willingness to look inward.
For Isabel Kumwembe, leading isn\u2019t about standing at the front, it\u2019s about ensuring no one is left
behind. Growing up with the teachings of Jesus Christ as her model, she was shaped by humility,
resilience, and the belief that everyone, regardless of background, deserves a place at the table. As a
Special Project Manager at ALX Africa and the founder of Amazon Women\u2019s Football Club, she has
redefined leading, turning the traditional top-down approach upside down. Her philosophy? Lead
from behind, not for personal recognition, but to uplift others.
\u201cLeading isn\u2019t a privilege; it\u2019s a duty,\u201d she says. \u201cYou measure success by the growth of those you
support.\u201d Isabel believes in tough love (mentorship that challenges, not coddles). \u201cYou can\u2019t just tell
people what they want to hear. If you truly care about someone\u2019s growth, you hold them
accountable. That\u2019s love in leading.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith, to her, is a guiding force, shaping both her patience and perspective. \u201cSometimes leading
means planting seeds you won\u2019t see grow. You have to be okay with the fact that the impact of your
leading might not be immediate.\u201d She also acknowledges the weight of leading; the loneliness, the
tough calls, the quiet burdens carried without applause. But for Isabel, leading has never been about
personal gain. It\u2019s about integrity, fairness, and responsibility to those she serves.
Inspired by Gandhi\u2019s words, \u201cBe the change you want to be,\u201d Maria Eugenia Estenssoro transformed
her approach to leading, weaving mysticism into her political and professional life. She initiated a
radical practice at her workplace: every Friday, ranks and titles dissolved, and everyone meditated
together, creating a safe bubble of energy. For Maria, leading is not about controlling the narrative
but about fostering trust, embracing the unknown, and allowing space for intuition and collective
wisdom.
\u201cLove is the ultimate energy of leading,\u201d she asserts. \u201cBut love isn\u2019t always soft. Love can be fierce.
Love means making the hard decisions, saying no, demanding excellence.\u201d Trusting her intuition has
been one of her most transformative leading lessons. \u201cI used to think leading was all strategy, all
logic. But I\u2019ve come to understand that the best decisions often come from a deep inner knowing, a
clarity that logic alone can\u2019t provide.\u201d
Connection, too, is at the heart of her philosophy. \u201cYou can\u2019t lead in isolation. You need to be
connected to people, to ideas, to something greater than yourself.\u201d She believes leading carries a
spiritual responsibility: it\u2019s not just about achieving results but about how they are achieved, the
energy brought into a space, the integrity upheld, and the inspiration ignited.
For Florence Muindi, leading is about stewardship. Rooted in the Christian concept of grace, she
believes that true leading begins with humility, wisdom, and service. \u201cA leader doesn\u2019t sit on a
throne; a leader walks alongside people, understands their struggles, and serves,\u201d she says. She
challenges the conventional view of leading as dominance, instead seeing it as co-working, where
transformation happens not through force, but through shifting hearts and minds.
As a woman leading in male-dominated spaces, Florence has faced opposition, yet she chooses to
navigate without offense. She embraces patience, just as she believes God does, learning to accept
failures; both her own and others\u2019. Her leading is a delicate balance of gentleness and strength, a
testament to the idea that sometimes, the most powerful leaders are the ones who step back to
create space for others to rise.
Character, for Florence, is the cornerstone of leading. \u201cYour leading is only as strong as your
character. If you lose integrity, you lose everything.\u201d She also sees mentorship as an essential duty.
\u201cIf your leading dies with you, you have failed. True leading is about creating a legacy, passing on
wisdom, and ensuring the work continues beyond you.\u201d
Yet, she acknowledges that the greatest battle a leader faces is not external, it is internal. \u201cThe
hardest battle a leader fights is not with others, it\u2019s with themselves. If you let pride take over, you
lose sight of why you\u2019re leading in the first place.\u201d For Florence, service is at the core of leading, and
through it, she teaches us that the strongest leaders are those who lead not from above, but from
beside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sara Gamal once dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player. When that path changed,
she trusted that Allah had a plan; one that led her to make history as the first Arab and African
woman to referee 3-on-3 basketball at the Olympics. Through this journey, her faith deepened,
teaching her that true leading is not about waiting for destiny but about showing up with clarity,
energy, and unwavering effort. \u201cAs a leader, you don\u2019t just do what\u2019s easy; you do what\u2019s right. Even
when no one is watching,\u201d she says.
Rooted in Islamic principles, Sara leads with fairness, justice, and a commitment to collective
success. She believes leading is not about elevating oneself but about uplifting the whole team. \u201cIf
you want to be a great leader, you have to want for others what you want for yourself.\u201d This belief
shapes her approach to sports officiating through motivation, support, and positive reinforcement.
Consistency, she asserts, is the true test of leading. \u201cIt\u2019s easy to lead when things are going well. But
your real leading shows in times of crisis. That\u2019s when your values are tested.\u201d Resilience and faith
keep her grounded. \u201cWhen you believe in something greater than yourself, you don\u2019t get shaken by
setbacks. You know that every challenge is an opportunity for growth.\u201d
The sacredness of nature gives birth to a belief so rooted that the idea of the whole planet being one
community prospers. For Jackie, faith isn\u2019t confined to religion; the sacredness that faith brings is
deeply embedded in her culture, her ancestors, and the land her family has inhabited for
generations. She taps into the rhythm of the earth, which inherently promotes equality as it belongs
to all, and she leads by the same belief. She leads with a profound respect for oral history, tradition,
and the power of community. A different way of looking at the world thus brings a different way of
leading. Leading, for her, is not about standing above others it\u2019s about standing with them. She
teaches us that when leading is rooted in something bigger than oneself, it becomes a force that
transcends time, carrying wisdom from the past into the future.
Jackie challenges the Western notion of leading, drawing from Indigenous perspectives where
leading is a shared responsibility rather than a singular position. \u201cLeading isn\u2019t about the individual;
it\u2019s about the community. It\u2019s about leading for those who came before us and those who will come
after us,\u201d she says.
For her, great leading is slow leading, measured by the depth of what is built over time. \u201cIn my
culture, we understand that great leading is slow leading. It\u2019s not about immediate impact; it\u2019s about
building something meaningful over time.\u201d She believes a true leader remains connected to both the
earth and the people they serve. \u201cA leader who is disconnected from the land and from the people
they serve is not a leader at all.\u201d
Leading, in her eyes, is not about control but about guidance. \u201cA good leader doesn\u2019t give orders; a
good leader asks the right questions, listens deeply, and ensures that wisdom is passed on.\u201d Jackie\u2019s
leading is a testament to the idea that when leading is grounded in community and tradition, it
ceases to be a position, it becomes a legacy.
Faith, in its many forms, is not just a personal belief but a profound force that shapes leading. From
Buddhism\u2019s mindfulness to Christianity\u2019s stewardship, Islam\u2019s justice, mysticism\u2019s intuition, and
Indigenous wisdom\u2019s communal approach, each leader in this series demonstrates how faith informs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

their decisions, resilience, and ability to inspire others. Their stories reveal that leading is not about
authority but about service, connection, and trust which is built on a foundation of unwavering
principles. In the end, faith-driven leading is about more than achieving goals; it\u2019s about creating a
legacy that uplifts others and carries wisdom forward for generations to come.\\<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Takeaways:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\n
1. Be Present and Mindful:<\/strong> Incorporate mindfulness into your day-to-day
   activities, like Tracey Woon. Stay engaged in the moment, whether you’re
   making decisions or interacting with your team. This clarity allows for more
   balanced and thoughtful actions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
2. Empower Others to Grow:<\/strong> Instead of focusing solely on your own
   achievements, like Isabel Kumwembe suggests, create opportunities for those
   around you to develop. Provide them with the tools and support they need,
   and give honest, constructive feedback.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
3. Trust Your Intuition: <\/strong>Sometimes, as Maria Eugenia Estenssoro points out,
   the best decisions come from intuition, not just data or logic. Learn to
   recognise and trust your gut feelings in situations that require quick decisions
   or creativity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
4. Lead with Integrity and Authenticity:<\/strong> Florence Muindi emphasises the
   importance of staying true to your values. Leading with integrity, being
   consistent in your actions, and showing humility helps build trust within your
   team and sets a strong example.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
5. Promote Team Success: <\/strong>Like Sara Gamal advocates, shift your focus from
   individual achievement to collective success. Encourage teamwork, share
   recognition, and be mindful of the needs of others, especially in challenging
   moments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
6. Connect with Your Community:<\/strong> Take inspiration from Jackie\u2019s community-
   driven approach. Ground your leading in shared values and traditions.
   Recognise the importance of long-term relationships and ensure that your
   actions benefit the wider community, not just immediate results.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
7. Build Resilience Through Challenges:<\/strong> Leading through setbacks, as Sara
   Gamal suggests, strengthens your team’s resilience. Encourage a culture
   where mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn, helping your team adapt
   and grow stronger with each challenge.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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