Complete, Not Compete
Learn more about how Polished is joining 4word to offer more women more resources to grow in their faith and work.
I first heard the phrase “complete, not compete” from my mentor and friend, Becky Paneitz. The idea is that businesses, nonprofits and people can actually be much more successful when we collaborate with others who are aligned with us in values and mission. This aligns with many places in Scripture where we see that we each have our own function and are called to work together in unity. But it can be easier said than done when each organization is focused on meeting its own goals. Still, I believe that when we are open to collaboration, we can actually accomplish more than we could have dreamed possible.
I have a heart for collaboration that motivated me to explore potential opportunities to partner with other faith and work organizations shortly after I joined Workmatters. What better way to do reach more people across the country with our workplace Bible studies then to connect with people other organizations were already serving? I experienced small successes, and lots of obstacles. But I kept chipping away at it, and learned a lot along the way.
When the Lord put a burden for women on my heart, Christian Women in the Workplace got started in Northwest Arkansas. It was a small, grassroots initiative that started with one exploratory lunch and became a monthly gathering. Within a year, I met Kathy Book who started Women in the Marketplace as a nonprofit serving working women in Cincinnati. Our intention to collaborate quickly led me to become her executive director. Just as I started that role, I was introduced to Joy Dahl at Polished Network. We identified an opportunity to collaborate immediately—it was the very first Boldly Conference in 2021. Through prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit, that turned into a full partnership on Boldly in 2022, which then led us to decide to merge the two organizations in 2023. Bringing the two organizations together allowed us to expand our reach and provide more resources and programming for working women through one much stronger organization.
That merge caught the attention not only of the women we were serving, but also leaders of other faith and work organizations for women. Those conversations led to two important things: we scheduled time to meet with two leaders from 4word to get to know each other and talk about how we could support each other. We started praying together and one of the key prayers was for their executive director search. The conversations also re-enlivened a deep desire I had for several years—to bring the leaders of several faith and work organizations together in the same space where we could all get to know each other and talk about how we could all support each other. Amy said yes to that, so we made it happen.
By the grace of God, our expectations were far exceeded! Twenty-two women from 17 faith and work organizations from around the country and the world came together for two days. One of those women was the new executive director of 4word—the woman we had be praying for! During our time together, each woman shared her passion for the work of her organization. We shared what our organizations provide, the problems we solve and the needs we had. And everyone left excited to continue our conversations—and we have.
It was out of that time that God showed us just how much Polished and 4word could truly complete one another and elevate our ability to serve working women across the country. Polished Chapters and 4word community groups are in completely different cities, with the exception of Dallas. 4word has programs for executive women and Polished has leadership development for leaders at all levels. 4word has a mentoring program. Polished has workplace Bible studies. Even our mailing lists have very little duplication.
When we chose the theme Boldly United for Boldly 2024, we had no idea where that would take us. What we do know is that Jesus prayed that we would be one as He is in the Father, the Father is in Him so the world would believe God sent Him (John 17:20-21). We’re excited to see what God can do through these two organizations coming together as one stronger organization with Christ at the center of all we do and our total focus on serving you.
Join us on this amazing journey! We look forward to meeting you, hearing from you, and supporting you in reaching your God-given potential with confidence!
Catherine Gates is the author of The Confidence Cornerstone: A Woman’s Guide to Fearless Leadership. Catherine has also contributed to several faith-and-work Bible studies, numerous YouVersion reading plans, and books from other authors including the iWork4Him and sheWorks4Him publications. She is a powerful speaker and frequent podcast contributor.
Catherine has been helping people integrate their faith and work since 2013. Prior to joining the Polished team, Catherine served as Executive Director for Women in the Marketplace, co-host for the sheWorks4Him podcast, and Senior Director of Content and Partnerships for Workmatters.
Catherine has diverse experience in technology and systems development, training, non-profit management, sales coaching and training, writing and instructional design. She has worked for large corporations to small entrepreneurial endeavors, including owning a small software consulting firm.
Catherine is on the steering committee for the National Faith & Work Association (NFWA.org). She is passionate about helping people achieve more of their God-given potential with confidence by bringing faith into every area of life.