What does leadership look like to you? When you think of the qualities of a great leader, what comes to mind? On today’s episode of the Juggling Life, Finding Balance Podcast, host Vivian Cumins is joined by colleague Erika Mascarenas, and the two discuss Erika’s distinct leadership style and what it looks like to lead like Christ. Erika describes her leadership style as “leading with love and laughter,” and she believes above anything else, she is a creation of God who is meant to live out God’s kindness in her everyday life. Vivian and Erika address the challenges of working in the competitive, secular workplace, where love and laughter aren’t always present. But just like a home, a workplace has its own values and dynamics, and Erika believes it is essential to lead in a way that allows colleagues and employees to grow and feel cared for.
Erika also discusses the importance of what she calls a “4G lifestyle,” which consists of God, grit, gratitude, and grace. Growing up, these were the core values that Erika’s parents emulated and instilled in her, and now she is intentional about bringing these to the workplace. In her day to day, this may look like praying before a meeting, uplifting coworkers, or implementing random acts of kindness. She encourages listeners to remember that God is always directing our steps, so all we need to do is trust the process and trust Him, and we will end up where we are meant to be.
GUEST BIO:
Erika Mascarenas is a career professional and natural leader who believes in leading with love and laughter. She is passionate about people and about the acts of kindness that can show God’s love to those who are feeling worn or downcast. She has a goal of starting a nonprofit called “Operation Blessing,” which will allow people to send discreet, anonymous encouragement to those who are in need of it.
POWERFUL QUOTE:
“If you do know Jesus, it’s going to show up in everything you do — it’s going to show up in the way you type, it’s going to show up in the way you talk, it’s going to show up in the way you care, it’s going to show up in the way you lead.” - Erika Mascarenas
CONNECT WITH VIVIAN:
Website: https://viviancumins.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/viviancumins2
Instagram: https://instagram.com/viviancumins
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@JugglingLifeFindingBalance
Apple & Spotify (Smartlink): https://link.chtbl.com/JugglingLifeFindingBalance
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@viviancumins
MemoryBlogger Website: https://memoryblogger.com