In the closing comments of my ORGL 500 Leadership Philosophy paper that I wrote just over two years ago, I said, “There are no ‘tricks’ to being a good leader.  There are no formulas for getting people to follow.  There are behaviors and practices that can serve as a foundation for learning to lead, however true leadership can come only when the leader takes part in these practices from a place of authenticity and knowledge of the self and others.  The only way to lead, as I see it, is through genuine, trusting, meaningful relationships with others.  My primary philosophy regarding leadership is that leadership is a relationship.”

 

            By and large, my philosophy that authentic leadership stems from authentic relationships remains true.  Over the last two and a half years, as I dove deeper into the study of leadership, I have also come to understand the importance of my own personal awareness about my inner self and how the quality of awareness from which I operate in my organization and in my life influences the quality of my leadership ability. 

 

            The first time I was introduced to the concept of awareness and perspective in the coursework was during the ORGL 502 Leadership and Imagination course.  In this course, I learned about becoming more conscious and deliberate about thinking and acting from my inner creative place.  I also was introduced to transformational change through the U Journey with Dr. Horsman. This concept (Theory U) is one that I have referred back to in my work life and personal life as a source of strength and understanding.  I didn’t realize how much the voices of judgment, cynicism and fear appeared in my thoughts.  It’s much easier to recognize and silence those now, as I pass through challenges and changes in my organization and life.  Sharing that U Journey with others has led them to a greater sense of peace in the surrender, as well.

 

            Another course that transformed me as a person and also transformed my philosophy on leadership was ORGL 522 Leadership Community Empowerment and Dialogue.  Living the monastic life and belonging to that community opened an awareness to the power of reaching for humility in my life.  In a competitive landscape, humility is often ignored or even seen as weakness.  At the monastery, living with the intention of practicing humility first in an effort to achieve stability, obedience and conversion of life is at the center of every activity. While there, I accessed a spiritual side of my inner self that had laid dormant for a very long time and felt the “shake up” of something deep inside me that wanted to emerge.  Ironically, it was at the bottom of a canyon in the Devil’s Punch Bowl, which rest right along the San Andreas Fault, where I had this feeling.  That hike was symbolic for taking the steps through the U Journey and as I climbed out of the canyon, I felt a new sense of myself emerging.  Ever since then, I have continued to practice silencing the voices of judgment, cynicism and fear and when I feel that shake up, I lean into it and let it come.

 

           Finally, I found Peter Block’s book on Community to be one of my favorite works in all of my courses.  This little gem has resonated with me from page 16, “Whatever we hold as our story, which is our version of the past, and from which we take our identity, becomes the limitation to living into a new possibility.” Discussing his book with the group was enlightening and empowering.  The Abbey experience was so transformative for me that I am committed to returning each year for the reunion retreat just to stay close to that profound experience and let the Abbey continue to change me. 

 

            In ORGL 530 I was introduced to Servant-Leadership and I became a full-fledged follower.  The concept is so simple and yet so powerful.  As many of my fellow classmates, I see myself as a servant-leader in training and aspire to serve in all areas of my life.  Without question, this course has had the most impact on my leadership philosophy. 

           

            Finally, the ORGL 532 Leadership, Justice and Forgiveness was a course that will forever be with me.  I have not been an active forgiveness-seeker, but this course changed that.  I understand the power of forgiveness and vow to keep forgiveness in the front of my heart in dealing with all people.  It is a challenge and a struggle, honestly, but it’s so very important. 

 

            My leadership philosophy has really become my life philosophy.  Today and in the future, I am aware of the power that I have to transform myself and to help others transform themselves. 

 

            The conclusion of my Master’s program at Gonzaga will bring about a new beginning in my life.  It is one that is emerging through me and that I’m ready to fearlessly embrace.  I don’t know where the road will take me, but I know it will be the right direction and that I have the knowledge and awareness that I need to serve there.