Dr. Jeanne Porter King’s New Book, Leading Well, Is a Black Woman’s Guide to Wholistic, Barrier-Breaking Leadership

Nestled in the heart of South Holland, Illinois, just outside Chicago, is a powerhouse author, consultant, pastor, and leadership coach named Dr. Jeanne Porter King. Her latest literary offering, “Leading Well: A Black Woman’s Guide to Wholistic, Barrier-Breaking Leadership,” maps her personal journey and offers an empowering guide for Black women navigating the leadership landscape. 

Born and raised in the Ohio River Valley, Dr. King was the eldest of three in a large, close-knit family. Her maternal grandmother, fondly known as ‘Granny,’ served as her initial pastor, leading the family’s church with a grace and determination that left a lasting impression on young Jeanne. “My grandmother was my first pastor. The images of her leading the church were so etched in my spirit that I never doubted that God called women to lead,” she recalls. 

Her family’s influence extended beyond the church, shaping her worldview and igniting a passion for justice and leadership. Her father, a local community leader, instilled in her values of justice and education, while her mother’s generosity and family devotion left an indelible mark. “My father instilled values of justice and education in me, and my mother had a heart for family. They both modeled hard work,” she adds. 

Dr. King’s educational journey was as diverse as it was winding. From engineering to social science to theology, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of knowledge and leadership despite the absence of practical role models. “I had no role models really to do what I did the way I did it, but I followed the path God laid out for me. And was it circuitous and winding at times!”

Her diverse experiences and commitment to women’s leadership, particularly Black women, inspired her to pen “Leading Well.” The book culminates her experiences, reflections, and lessons learned as a Black woman navigating leadership roles in the marketplace and ministry. “I understand the challenges women leaders face, whether in corporations or the church—from being overlooked for advancement into leadership because they were deemed relational but not strategic enough for leadership or those labeled as aggressive for being assertive and direct,” she explains. 

Dr. King’s book draws parallels between the biblical account of the Samaritan woman at the well and the contemporary challenges Black women leaders face. The Samaritan woman, an outsider and outcast to the culture of the biblical narrative,  has been reduced to a stereotype by the same racist and sexist forces that attempt to reduce Black women to stereotypes and hinder their God-given call to leadership. “The Holy Spirit flows from that well within and guides us in all areas of our lives. This woman’s gift to us is the insight into the access to the Spirit in our everyday lives and leadership, not just at church,” Dr. King explains. 

Throughout her journey, Dr. King has faced her share of being an outsider within her company or church. Her experiences have honed her perspective on leadership and taught her to navigate predominantly white spaces from an early age. “Leadership is about helping people make sense of what is going on around them and shaping the narrative,” she muses. 

In “Leading Well,” Dr. King emphasizes leading from a place of spiritual wholeness rather than conforming to external expectations. She believes the key lies in cultivating harmony between one’s inner and outer selves and leading from the core of who God has created one to be. “I share a framework that helps Black women assess and then reimagine nine interrelated dimensions of their lives. Now is the time to develop a sense of authenticity as Black women and bring more of us to our leadership,” she advises. 

With an extensive background in leadership development as the founder and president of TransPorter Group Inc., Dr. King asserts the importance of a sense of purpose as a leader. She believes leadership should be viewed as a vocation, not just a title to chase. “We can teach leadership skills. But without that sense of purpose and calling, ‘leaders’ tend to lose sight of themselves,” she warns. 

Dr. King’s book aims to inspire and empower Black women with practical tools and advice. She notes that one of the most valuable activities is encouraging readers to affirm their identities as leaders loved, called, empowered, and equipped by God. 

“Always remember, we lead from who we are and what we believe.”

Throughout her leadership journey, Dr. King has witnessed numerous transformative moments illustrating the power of leading ‘well.’ She recounts the story of a woman she coached whose limiting belief system had negatively impacted her team’s performance. “By helping her shift how she saw herself as a leader and embracing liberating beliefs about what she and her team could do, she began to see her team blossom. Her story illustrates the power of leading ‘well,'” she shares. 

Dr. King’s academic background informs her approach to leadership coaching and consulting. Her unique educational journey has equipped her to develop wholistic leaders who integrate social science and theological principles. “Through my consulting company, I’ve discovered that workplaces rife with exclusion and microaggressions can negatively impact Black women leaders’ overall wellbeing,” she states. 

Despite the barriers that Black women face in leadership, Dr. King remains hopeful and determined. Her key takeaway for readers of “Leading Well” reminds them of their affirmation by God and distinct ability to lead. “I want to remind Black women that we are affirmed by God and are gifted, prepared, and poised to lead, despite the barriers we face. It is time to lead from a strong spiritual place of wholeness and begin to lead as well women!” she concludes. 

Dr. King’s book “Leading Well” is a valuable resource for further guidance on how to lead well. It blends practical exercises, personal anecdotes, and spiritual insights to guide readers on their leadership journey. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to lead from a place of authenticity, wholeness, and purpose.

Dr. King’s book is a call to embrace our unique identities and lead from a place of authenticity. It’s a call to lead well.

Readers can connect with Dr. King at DrJeannePorterKing.com and on social media- LinkedIn, IG, and Threads at @drjeanneporterking.