Debbie Maloba was among the first women trained as a women’s ministries leader in Cameroon in 1993. Today, she is the Women’s and Children’s Ministries director for the East-Central Africa Division, a position she has held since 2010. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the East-Central Africa Division has more than 4 million members spread across 11 countries. Maloba says working with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and therefore viewpoints can make it difficult to make decisions for a common goal. Still, she has found a way to make it work. Here, she shares a few leadership lessons she’s learned along the way.
What is your strength in leadership? How did you identify and build it?
Humility is my strength in leadership. I first identified it through people. Based on their feedback and testimonies, the recurring message was that I actively listen to people and allow them to share their thoughts while valuing them. Most leaders tend to set their minds on ideas and not consider what others think, however, as I work with people from diverse backgrounds, I tend to let them express themselves too. I built this strength from my parents. They were always humble and welcomed everyone at home. They taught us to consider visitors as family as we may never know how connected we may be tracing back to our roots.
What is the greatest challenge for women in leadership and what is one thing you have learned?
One of the challenges, although not often pointed out, is that fellow women tend to criticize others negatively. When a woman tries to break the feminine stereotype, other women choose to not support, and this may discourage women from continuing in their leadership roles. I have learned that self-awareness is important to not lose the morale/motivation. It is also good to stand for what is right — regardless of how it may be viewed — because the results would be beneficiary in the long run.
What Bible verse are you holding on to right now that encourages you in the midst of everything going on around you?
Jeremiah 29:11 has kept me going through all times. I have seen how God leads and uses me. Therefore, I put all my trust in God for He is the one who gives me strength when I am weak in trying times. My faith grows as I continuously see His hand in my life and the life of my family.
