'Remain curious, keep learning, be open to God's leading'

On Monday 27th April, Wycliffe Hall students and faculty were joined by friends from across the University and city to hear from Sharon Birkman, CEO and President of Birkman International, and engage in a conversation exploring the intersection of faith, leadership, and human relationships.

Sharon recounted how her father’s experiences as a Second World War pilot led him to reflect on the different ways members of the crew reacted to stress and danger, and the way this led him to a lifelong interest in understanding people and their relationships. Observing that individuals could experience the same event differently—yet truthfully—he helped pioneer new approaches to leadership and organisational psychology. Though he did not enter parish ministry, as he once intended, Sharon described his work as a “stealth ministry,” serving people throughout the world of business.

Sharon also shared her own vocational journey, from a career in music to leading the family business. She spoke of discerning God’s call later in life and emphasised that “nothing you learn is ever wasted,” encouraging students to see their experiences as part of God’s formation.

A central theme of the session was the importance of relationships. Sharon highlighted the need for both self-awareness and awareness of others, noting that healthy leadership depends on understanding how people think, relate, and work together. “We are creatures of contact,” she said, underlining the vital role of human connection in every sphere of life.
In discussion with students, ordinands and faculty, she offered practical wisdom for emerging leaders: remain curious, keep learning, and be open to God’s leading. Leadership, she suggested, is less about individual strength and more about building trust, recognising complementary gifts, and fostering strong teams.

The session concluded with reflections on how places like Wycliffe Hall can continue to integrate theological formation with insights into leadership and human flourishing—equipping leaders for the Church and the wider world.

Sharon Birkman, CEO of Birkman International, is the second generation at the helm of Birkman International. Her leadership has been instrumental in ushering in a new era of product development and training initiatives during a time of unprecedented growth. Sharon cultivated her deep expertise in human perception and organizational behavior through her lifelong interest in The Birkman Method. Owing to the remarkable insights of her psychologist father, Birkman has grown to include 24 languages with clients that span the globe. Her second book, Creature of Contact: Why You Need More than a Personality Test addresses the non-negotiable human needs we all share for social human connection and healthy relationships.

Sharon has an M.A. from the University of Texas and completed the Harvard Owner/President Management program. She is a proud regional winner of the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year award, and Birkman has won both the local and national Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. 

In 2017, Sharon won both the Mary Lehman MacLachlan Economic Empowerment Award and Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business award.