WALKING MY FAITH
A Journey of Faith, Leadership and Success
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Loving faith is a requirement for people who want to merge their professional and personal lives. Deep down, we understand that, unlike our Constitution, which advocates for a separation between church and state, our lives, careers, and religious beliefs or values are often intertwined. If we are exceedingly lucky, it’s not easy to separate our deeply held values from our behaviors. That’s the way it should be. (…) As faith-full leaders, we demonstrate God’s grace in the way we live our lives, both personally and professionally. When we nurture our employees in a gracious and caring way, we serve as examples of God’s grace. But it is not always easy. In fact, grace is one of the most challenging ideals to incorporate into a business life. Often, it requires a delicate balancing of one’s religious beliefs with company policies, procedures, and values. Offering grace can be done, but only if you are willing to look beyond easy answers or prescribed responses. You may have to search for the third or even the fourth options, not the most obvious ones that come immediately to mind. (…) Who are we to lead faithfully? And who gives us the authority for faith-full leadership? Who are you and whose are you? The simplest answer returns us to God. We are all children of God and the Holy Spirit gives us the authority to live faithfully and authentically. While that statement is undeniably true, it is also incomplete. (…)
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About the Book
To some, living faithfully and succeeding in the business world may sound like an oxymoron. Yet those who want to walk their faith in all aspects of their lives know they cannot live on an isolated mountaintop or on a deserted island. In Walking My Faith, author Rev. Mary Tudela challenges the notion that personal values and faith cannot coexist with professional ambition and success in today’s society . Rev. Tudela, an Episcopal priest and former executive at a Fortune 500 company, offers practical examples on how the values of love, forgiveness, grace, and acceptance can help anyone succeed in today’s challenging and often stressful business environment. While exploring the ways that “faith-full” leadership can strengthen work teams and organizations, enabling individuals to live holistic and authentic lives, Reverend Tudela also shares her personal experiences, the stories of others, and eye-opening insights about what awaits those who want to live and work in accordance with their most cherished faith-based values. For anyone on a continual spiritual journey, Walking My Faith offers support and encouragement for living a “faith-full” and authentic life—even in corporate America.
About the Author
The Rev. Mary E. Tudela is an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church (USA). Currently, she simultaneously assists clergy at St. Michael Episcopal Church in Barrington, Ill., and serves as the executive director of the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Northwest Suburbs, a faith-based nonprofit counseling center. In addition, she provides executive leadership coaching to both corporate executives and members of the clergy. Prior to becoming a member of the clergy, Tudela worked 24 years for Ameritech Corp. becoming one of the highest-ranking female executives in the Fortune 500. Tudela has received the following recognitions: Women of Achievement Honoree by the Anti-Defamation League, Corporate Elite and the Top 100 Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine, Corporate Achievement Award by VISTA Magazine, and Salute to Excellence Award by the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement. She is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow and serves as a trustee for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Tudela has also served on the boards of the Chicago Foundation for Women, the College Summit, Leadership Illinois, Leadership Greater Chicago, WBEZ-FM (National Public Radio/Chicago Affiliate), Advocate Health Systems, Travelers & Immigrants Aid, and the Youth Services Project. The Rev. Tudela currently lives in a suburb of Chicago with her two sons.