Calling, confidence, and leadership pipelines: Women global mission leaders

The popular assumption that increasing the number of women in the leadership pipeline will increase the number of women in senior roles in global mission organizations requires urgent re-evaluation. This article offers a historical and sociological perspective on the leadership pipeline together with findings from a study in one large global mission organization. Insights from senior leaders reveal that although calling and confidence are key factors for women pursuing senior leadership, these alone do not address the complex pressures and barriers causing “pipeline leaks.” Strategies to support women in intercultural leadership are advocated, urging mission organizations to reconsider their structures along with systems to better sustain women with a call to leadership.