Eve, the First Sinner? Or Adam, the First Failed Leader?

We’ve all heard the story of Adam and Eve. The so-called “first sin,” the disobedience, the downfall. But what if we’ve been reading it wrong? What if this ancient story isn’t about the first sinner…but the first failed leader?

In this episode, leadership scholar and host Dr. Kimberly DeSimone challenges centuries of patriarchal interpretation by reframing the Genesis narrative through the lens of modern, evidence-based leadership theory. From blame-shifting to moral cowardice, we explore how Adam’s behavior maps onto core leadership failures across five foundational models: Transformational, Servant, Authentic, Adaptive, and Ethical Leadership.

We also examine the enduring harm caused by reading Eve as the source of sin—a misreading that has fueled generations of bias, blame, and the marginalization of women. With insight from feminist and womanist scholars like Phyllis Trible, Renita Weems, and Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, this episode is a powerful call to reclaim sacred texts in ways that center accountability, equity, and truth.

Key Topics Covered:

• Re-examining Genesis 2–3: What the Bible actually says vs. how it’s been taught
• How Adam failed as a leader, not just as a man of faith
• Applying 5 modern leadership theories to the Eden narrative
• The damaging legacy of blaming Eve—and by extension, women—for failure
• The power of feminist biblical interpretation and why it matters
• How reclaiming this story can lead to more just and equitable leadership today

Biblical References:

Genesis 2:16–17, 2:22, 3:6, 3:12 (The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version. Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, 1989.)

Scholars & Thought Leaders:

Trible, P. (1984). Texts of Terror

Trible, P. (1978). God and the Rhetoric of Sexuality

Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza – In Memory of Her (1983)

Renita J. Weems – Just a Sister Away (1988)

Carol Meyers – Discovering Eve (1988)

Harding, S. (1991). Whose Science? Whose Knowledge?: Thinking from Women's Lives

Code, L. (1991). What Can She Know? Feminist Theory and the Construction of Knowledge 

My Manifestatement (Key Takeaway): “It’s time to stop interpreting scripture only through the eyes of patriarchy. If we want better leaders, we need better stories—ones that hold power accountable and stop demonizing women to excuse weak leadership.”   Let’s Connect @AdvancingWomenPodcast    Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast! It helps more people find the show!   Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/advancingwomenpodcast/ & Facebook https://www.facebook.com/advancingwomenpodcast/   More on Dr. DeSimone here! https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-desimone-phd-mba-ba00b88/