Interview with Kadi Cole - How to Develop Female Leaders

from Change Agent Leadership · host Jonathan Hankin

In this episode of Change Agent Leadership, I sit down with author, speaker, and leadership consultant Kadi Cole to talk about her groundbreaking book, Developing Female Leaders.With over 25 years of leadership experience—including as an executive director at one of America’s largest multi-site churches—Kadi brings research, clarity, and practical insight into a conversation many leaders struggle to have.We explore:• Why developing female leaders is essential for mission success• The difference between “sticky floors” and “glass ceilings”• How men and women approach leadership development differently• Why defining leadership clearly is crucial• The role of mentors, sponsors, and coaches (and why all three matter)• How to give effective feedback to female leaders• What churches need to do to build safe, thriving leadership culturesWhether you’re a church leader, nonprofit executive, or corporate manager—this episode will give you the tools to elevate the female leaders around you and lead your culture forward with clarity and courage.▶️ Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Change Agent Leadership00:10 Meet Katie Cole: Leadership Consultant and Author01:13 Katie's Early Leadership Journey02:08 Challenges and Realizations in Leadership05:19 The Concept of Sticky Floors09:28 Theological Perspectives on Women in Leadership16:32 Integrating Formation and Leadership Development25:41 The Importance of Mentorship and Coaching27:28 Mentorship vs. Sponsorship: Key Differences29:04 The Role of a Coach in Leadership Development31:05 Combining Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Coaching34:50 Creating Safe and Inclusive Environments41:55 Addressing Gender Bias in Performance Reviews46:42 Shifting Church Culture for Female Leaders50:53 Services and Advice for Emerging LeadersConnect with Kadi Cole, access her books, or learn more about her services at https://www.kadicole.com📘 Developing Female Leaders — available wherever books are sold. Catch full episodes of video versions and other leadership videos on my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Jonathan-HankinDownload Free Leadership Toolkits → https://www.jonathanhankin.com/leadership-toolkit-library-Schedule a free 30 minute discover call: https://calendly.com/jonathan-jonathanhankin/30minFollow me here:Website: www.jonathanhankin.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-hankin

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This episode was published on August 6, 2025.

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