My Journey Through Leadership
Meets My Mother’s Teachings
Susana Ramirez
Have you wondered what a better version of yourself would look like? How would you choose what parts of you to discard, which are worth salvaging, and what new parts to try on? I did. I share my story about the BECLP journey with you. It is where I faced these questions and found answers.
Only for today
As I reminisce on my growth, my mother’s teachings visit me. My mother taught me the value of today. She taught me to live one day at a time, to not leave for tomorrow what can be done today. She says that no one guarantees we will live to see tomorrow. Although I had no idea what to expect from the Buell fellowship, I started at the perfect time. I was yearning for something to push me beyond my comfort zone, to help me become a better version of myself. Open to change, to stripping parts that no longer suited me and polishing others in need of attention I walked into the program. I made a promise to start every day reminding myself that for today, I was going to embrace what I learn, to live and apply it. These today’s became weeks, then months, and almost one year.
Theory U was intriguing. Learning and venturing into the U journey was challenging and insightful. It highlighted struggles around who I was and who I want to become. Being an introvert and managing discomfort have been the most challenging aspects of my adventure. The Ignite presentation was a scary experience. I pushed my vulnerability gauge too far, sharing a personal and difficult part of my life, but I was going to do it only for “today.” Allowing myself to be vulnerable, interacting and building relationships is energy depleting, yet pleasantly rewarding. As I trusted the process, these challenges decreased and I embraced discomfort.
Revisiting my past in the first semester was a reminder of parts of myself I shoved away and some that I used as shields. The most obvious is my fighter instinct. This has been my shield for most of my life. I hide from no one and I fight for what I believe. My mom says “Corre sangre Apache en nuestras venas.” (Apache blood runs in our veins). A duality that has burned bridges and opened many doors. |
Choosing to open doors today
Appreciative Leadership spoke to my soul. Initially, I struggled showing my appreciation, including others through inquiry, illuminating people’s gifts and contributions. Inspiration was a foreign concept, mostly because I don’t want recognition nor did I learn to give it. Gratitude stemming from acting on tasks or performing acts of kindness should come from within and not from others was my thought. When I read about two branches of a tree in comparison to life where…
"...one reaches out, drawing people in and attracting them to the good, the true, and the beautiful... the other reaches out to hardships and distress of the world and gives hope... that grows from compassion, deep belief in a better way, personal calling, and dedicated service to society... they awaken us, connect us, and help us become vessels of creation. They enable us to do our part in the cocreation of a world that works for all" (Whitney et al., 2010)
|
It was as if it was written for me, aligning with my values of compassion for others. I can influence those around me, who can then influence others around them. Through appreciation and genuine connections, more can be accomplished without having to push against the tides. It was added to my “for today” list. I paired the five constructs of appreciative leadership with my passion for serving families in poverty. I twisted inclusion and illumination with my mother’s teaching “haz el bien y no te fijes a quien” (do good for others regardless of who they are). I received comments such as “Who are you and what have you done to Susana?” I became more inclusive, more approachable, more curious about others' viewpoints, and started showing more of who I am.
The pieces fall into place
My roots are embedded in every aspect of my existence. They help me stay grounded, provide the security needed to try new experiences, such as using what BECLP gifted me. My family values and cultural background must be interwoven in every part of my life to truly evolve. Approaching these experiences with the value of today and carefully adding touches of my heritage to new ideas, I stretched out into discomfort as I learned through trial and error. My growth took place underneath the surface causing friction, using energy, and tapping resources. Gained skills were entwined with my mother’s teachings, my values, and many other characteristics of my culture that have been passed down to me.
Eleven months later, I’m described as more genuine, I show empathy often, more inclusive. Peers share I’ve become more patient and bring neutral perspectives. That I approach situations with curiosity. Just as a tree doesn’t grow its roots in one day, this slow and intricate process took time to bend and mold and attach to my roots as both the new and old learned to become one. Everything happened while I focused on today. I still struggle with finding a happy medium. There’s a lot of growth in my future, but I wouldn’t have gotten this far if I didn’t fully embrace what I have learned through this program and if I hadn’t learned from my mother’s teachings. I’m on my way to embracing the better me.
Eleven months later, I’m described as more genuine, I show empathy often, more inclusive. Peers share I’ve become more patient and bring neutral perspectives. That I approach situations with curiosity. Just as a tree doesn’t grow its roots in one day, this slow and intricate process took time to bend and mold and attach to my roots as both the new and old learned to become one. Everything happened while I focused on today. I still struggle with finding a happy medium. There’s a lot of growth in my future, but I wouldn’t have gotten this far if I didn’t fully embrace what I have learned through this program and if I hadn’t learned from my mother’s teachings. I’m on my way to embracing the better me.
Have you wondered what a better version of yourself would look like? How would you choose what parts of you to discard, which are worth salvaging, and what new parts to try on? I hope something begins to tug at you enough that awakens your curiosity to consider the current version of yourself and provokes a desire to explore the idea of working on the next version of yourself. In your journey, I encourage you to never forget where you come from. My hope is that you use your gifts, life experiences, your values, and heritage as intricate pieces of the foundation that will create the next best version of yourself.
Resources
Senge, P., Scharmer, O., Jaworski, J., & Flowers, B.S. (2005). Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future. Cambridge, MA: Random House.
Unsplash Photos for Everyone https://unsplash.com/s/photos/roots?orientation=landscape
Whitney, D., Trosten-Bloom, A. & Rader, K. (2010). Appreciative Leadership: Focus on What Works to Drive Winning Performance and Build a Thriving Organization. NY: McGraw Hill.
Unsplash Photos for Everyone https://unsplash.com/s/photos/roots?orientation=landscape
Whitney, D., Trosten-Bloom, A. & Rader, K. (2010). Appreciative Leadership: Focus on What Works to Drive Winning Performance and Build a Thriving Organization. NY: McGraw Hill.