http://danblackonleadership.info/archives/2090
For each new learning curve in my life and each new challenge I have always had the privilege of meeting someone that has displayed an incredible capacity to lead others. For the most part these individuals have found the need to empower others because of a cause, an ethical debate or a need to strengthen their own belief in humanity. To be given this ability and then to act upon it is a true gift. To have the means to communicate a message on a global scale is truly and 21st century benefit due to social media, technology and the internet. With an awareness to make digital literacy equalized across all cultures will one day empower all to have a voice.
Many of the mentors I will write about in this post I have meet or worked with but one I have not, I would however like to share her story as an inspiration to youth leadership. Malala Yousfzai is a young women from Pakastan who advocated for the education of women in her home country. Shot in the head for defending her beliefs, Malala defied all odds of survival and became an inspiration worldwide for her determination. The ability to change a mindset can start with a desire for change and Malala certainly has shown us the way. I really like a quote of hers, "One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world" (Malala's Fund, 2016). The quote also reflects the power a teacher has on a child and how that kind of empowering leadership can be cause for change. Through social media Malala's story was shared worldwide and her cause and fight and her incrediable leadership skills touched people on a global platform.
Malala's story is incredible, and rightly so granting her the Noble Peace Prize for her work. Some other leaders that are paving a pathway for causes that they believe in I have met. One of these individuals is Jane Longboat. I met Jane at a FNMI conference in the spring of 2016. As she spoke that day about residential schools, her upbringing and making connections with other people I could only image the lives she had touched and the wisdom of her years. Jane was humorous as she shared one story after another but the feeling that I brought away with me that day was that with age comes respect and with respect comes an incredible ability to lead. From the sun swept room that we were all crowded into we listened with intensity as her voice seemed to sing with each word and she told us we could all make a difference in the world. She said that people were listening and with all these voices individuals would be empowered, not just on issues surrounding Indigenous people but people from all walks of life.
Another individual who has touched my life and taken me on a leadership reflection journey is George. George is a First Nations young man from a reserve near the Sue and a close family friend. George has never written a book, created a blog or inspired global change, but I feel he is an incredible example of a transformational leader. George comes from a rocky background where education and a positive direction were lost for he and his family. George however had something special inside of himself that helped him to reach for positive change in his life. To inspire change in others, I feel that a person must first inspire change within themselves. A person must have an appreciation for their own abilities and gifts. Once this is achieved an individual can then instill change in others. This might be done knowingly or unknowingly. For George, I feel it was unknowingly. The gift of true leadership is to rise from some of the darkest moments and have the courage and respect for yourself to create positive change. George has done this and in the process he is inspiring others in his family and community to be proud of who they are and to appreciate the culture they are connected to.
These people have been important mentors in my life. They have given me moments of reflection on the power of leadership, including my students who inspire me each day. For my students I am their grade one teacher and some might see my role as their leader however I believe that they all create their own learning and form their own collaborative teams with emergent leaders taking on different positions. I am only the facilitator of that learning. It is always interesting for me to see how this leadership formulates with young children.
For all these individuals they have made a difference not only in my life but the lives of others as they move forward in a leadership role to enact change and to inspire others. We are all connected and each are part of the story of each one that we meet. In a YouTube clip that I watched recently, John Volmink, an inspirational leader and educator in South Africa state that, "I am because you are, you are because I am" (I PAV, 2014). John Volmink, YouTube link I inferred this statement to mean that we are all connect to each others story and we are because of that story. I just hope that the leaders that have touched my life understand the positive mindset they have given me.
References
I PAV. (2014, April 23). Ubuntu: John Volmink. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AoQdX6Qgco
Malala's Fund (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.malala.org/
