Authentic Life & Leadership
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Most recent blog post…
Two Leaders, One Marriage:
(5 Things We Learned the Hard Way)
When two leaders live under one roof, it can be powerful. It’s also complex. After 38 years, Larry and I have a little experience in this. This is not our first rodeo. Both of us carry significant responsibility. We each have strong convictions, instincts, and...
Today’s Rant:
People Who Hijack Meetings
You go to a meeting. The leader welcomes everyone and says, “As we get started, I’d like us to go around the room and have each of you quickly share three things: your name, where you live, and your current role/job title.” When it’s my turn, I say, “I’m Deanna...
Helping People Who Don’t Want to Be Helped
Is there someone in your life who you desperately want to help, but when it gets down to it, they do not really want to be helped? Some would say it makes no sense to keep trying. They shake their heads in disbelief that you have hung on for so long trying. But if...
Why Limiting Yourself to Friends Who Are Your Age is a Terrible Idea
This is me with my friends Florence (91) and Frances (84). I get so annoyed everytime I hear people say, "I need to find friends my age..." I think to myself, "Welp, you're missing out on life..." Sometimes I tell the person that outright, and try to change their...
No, I Won’t Conform!
(6 Ways to Be More Fully You)
Do you feel intense pressure to conform to the expectations of those around you, or systems you live and work within? Is true freedom and really being yourself your greatest craving, yet it seems more elusive than ever to be able to do so...at least without great...
It Happened to #MeToo
(The Power of a Leader’s Response )
I was a freshman in Bible college back in 1984. A few months into college life, I met a young man who I will call “K” who was a friend, but nothing more. K appeared to be so Godly. I enjoyed being around him a lot. He was an upperclassman, well respected and seemed to...
When Your Get Up and Go
Just Got Up and Went…
It is common for people to make comments about me always being energetic and motivated. The truth is that while I am sometimes that way, there are many times I am not. There are times I have literally walked into a building saying, "I can do this! I can do this! I can...
Invite Deanna to speak at your next event!
Deanna is invited to return and speak at many of the same places time and again because the result has been an overwhelmingly positive experience with lives changed, and people encouraged.
BIO
Dr. Deanna Shrodes
Dr. Deanna Doss Shrodes is an author, speaker, and leadership mentor known for helping women lead with courage, integrity, and deep faith. Her work has been featured by CBS News, People Magazine, The New Yorker, Woman’s World, GOD TV, and HuffPost. She holds a Master’s in Ministerial Leadership and a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern University, where she also serves as an adjunct professor.
Dr. Shrodes currently serves as Women’s Ministries Director for the Pen Florida District of the Assemblies of God and leads the Stronger Leadership Network, where she mentors pastors and leaders through coaching, spiritual formation, and leadership development. The author of five books and a contributing writer to five others, her most recent work, Uncommon Answers, was released by Chosen Books (a division of Baker Publishing Group) in April 2025.
Known for a warm pastoral presence and practical, thoughtful teaching, Dr. Shrodes speaks at conferences, churches, and leadership gatherings on spiritual formation, prayer, women in leadership, discernment in decision-making, and cultivating healthy ministry cultures.
She is married to her college sweetheart, Larry. Together they have three grown children and five grandchildren.
Areas of Focus:
Spiritual formation & prayer
The work of the Holy Spirit
Leadership development
Women in leadership
Mentoring and calling
Healthy ministry culture
Leadership transitions
Marriage and ministry life
Become Your Most Authentic Self
Free E-Book
Are you tired of being who and what others expect you to be, instead of who God created you to be?
If you find the pressure of other people's expectations exhausting and you are ready to be the authentic YOU that you were always meant to be, Deanna would like to gift you with an ebook, 29 Ways to Become Your Most Authentic Self.
It's time to break free and finally live according to your divine design!
