Why Every Christian Woman in Business Needs Someone Who Will Tell Her the Truth

Leadership has a way of making you think you're supposed to have all the answers.

Have you felt that before? Maybe you are feeling it now.

You're the one people come to with questions. You're making decisions that affect your clients, your family, your finances, and maybe even employees. Everyone assumes you're confident because you're the one leading.

There's an important distinction that need to be made: Confidence and certainty aren't the same thing.

There have been seasons in my own business when I didn't need another podcast, another business book, or another marketing strategy. I needed someone who knew me well enough to ask a hard question. Someone who cared more about my growth than my comfort.

That's one of the reasons I believe community matters so much - we need people who love us enough to tell us the truth.

One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." I've heard that verse quoted countless times, but I don't think we always stop to consider what sharpening actually looks like.

Sharpening isn't passive.

It requires friction.

It requires honesty.

It requires someone willing to lovingly say, "I think you can do better than this."

The women who have influenced my life the most haven't simply encouraged me. They've challenged me. They've asked questions I didn't want to answer. They've celebrated my wins, but they've also helped me recognize blind spots that I couldn't see on my own.

That's a gift.

In today's world, it's surprisingly easy to surround ourselves with people who simply tell us what we want to hear. Social media rewards agreement. Algorithms feed us opinions that sound like our own. Heck, AI will even agree with you. In business, we can mistake compliments for growth.

The problem with all of this is that encouragement without honesty isn't discipleship.

Real community does both.

It reminds you of who God created you to be while also calling you toward who He's still shaping you to become.

When I think about this, I'm reminded of Deborah in Judges. First, she spoke the Word of the Lord. That means she spent time with God and heard His voice. Secondly, she spoke words of encouragement - not a false hope - but with real truth. We all need a Deborah in our lives.

Someone who isn't impressed by your accomplishments.

Someone who isn't intimidated by your title.

Someone who loves you enough to tell you the truth with grace.

As business owners, we often spend so much time building our businesses that we forget to build the relationships that sustain us while we're building them.

I've watched incredibly successful women carry burdens they were never meant to carry alone because they believed leadership required independence. If that were true, then Jesus wouldn't have surrounded himself with people. He taught in community. He traveled with others. He shared meals. He invited people into His life.

If the Son of God didn't choose to lead alone, why do we think we should? That's one of the reasons The Leaders' Table means so much to me.

Yes, women build business relationships around our tables, opportunities happen and collaborations begin. What actually matters most to me is watching women find a place where they can be honest - a place where they don't have to pretend they have everything figured out, where someone celebrates their victories and also lovingly asks, "Have you prayed about that?" or "Is that the direction God is leading you?"

Those conversations grow leaders. When leaders grow, businesses grow, families grow, and communities grow.

I don't believe God created us to simply build profitable businesses. I believe He calls us to faithfully steward the influence He's entrusted to us. Sometimes the greatest act of stewardship is allowing someone else to sharpen us.

That isn't weakness.

It's wisdom.

Leadership Reflection

Who in your life has permission to tell you the truth?

Not the version of the truth that's easy to hear, but the actual truth that helps you become more like Christ, a wiser leader, and a better steward of the business God has entrusted to you.

If no one comes to mind, perhaps that's the leadership decision God is inviting you to make next.

Leading Well

Leading well isn't about having all the answers. It's about remaining teachable. As Christian women, we don't lead from pride or performance. We lead from humility, recognizing that God often uses other people to shape our character, strengthen our faith, and refine our leadership. May we become women who welcome wisdom, receive correction with grace, and offer both encouragement and truth to others.

Lead the relationship well.

Lead your business well.

Most of all, lead in a way that points people back to Christ.

Pull Up a Chair

If you're looking for more than another networking event - if you're looking for a community where you'll be encouraged, challenged, and sharpened as both a leader and a follower of Christ - we'd love to welcome you to The Leaders' Table.

Come as our guest.

Pull up a chair.

You may find that the greatest thing you gain isn't another business contact.

It's a community that helps you become the leader God is calling you to be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is community important for Christian women in business?

Community provides encouragement, accountability, wisdom, and relationships that help Christian women grow as leaders while faithfully stewarding their businesses.

What does the Bible say about business community?

Scripture consistently points to the value of wise counsel, encouragement, and sharpening one another. God designed us to grow in community rather than isolation.

Why do business owners need accountability?

Leadership can be isolating. Trusted relationships help leaders gain perspective, identify blind spots, and continue growing in wisdom and character.

How can Christian women grow as business leaders?

Leadership growth happens through faithful stewardship, teachability, meaningful relationships, and surrounding yourself with people who encourage you while also speaking truth with grace.