Please click on the youtube link below to watch my leadership story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PadXcLDQ6IE
References
Brown, B. (2012). Daring greatly: How the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead. New York: Gotham Books.
I’m so moved by your story. Not only is it inspiring and beautiful but it is delivered perfectly as well. I know it must have been hard to know knowing answers to so many questions, but I’m also glad your family loves you. Like you mentioned we learn something from pain, this is what made you realize the importance of simple things that others may take for granted. I’ve been an admirer of your work throughout these ten weeks. Like I always say, I’m glad to see that kids are in the hands of such great teachers. Teaching kids to be kind and to not be afraid of being vulnerable is so essential, and you are doing such a great job. Thank you so much for sharing such personal and inspiring story. Love and light to you.
Thank you Shaaz. I have appreciated getting to know you in this course and am inspired by your genuine kindness and willingness to reach out to others! Your light shines strong! I hope we have the opportunity to have more classes together!
It is so courageous to describe our life events and struggles which we suffered in our life. I’m so touched and overwhelmed by your story. The way you managed to stand yourself. I personally feel I got shattered if somebody said me bastard but the way you responded and now the position at which you are is amazing. I always find your blogs to be most interesting and in these ten weeks course I have learned a lot from you. I’ll always remember to be kind than to be right. Your students are blessed to have a teacher like you. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Thank you so much Bantu for your kind words. It has been such a pleasure to chat with you during this course. I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavours as you pursue becoming a dentist! You have so much to offer and your patients will be so lucky to have such a kind and caring person looking after them.
Such a powerful story — and a great example of how vulnerability and authenticity can be powerful elements of leadership. As you share in your role as a teacher, our roles as leaders often involve more than encouraging people to complete great work; as leaders we are called to transform the lives of individuals and communities, making them more welcoming spaces where true belonging can occur.
If you haven’t already, I strongly recommend Brene’ Brown’s newest book: Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone (2017), where she highlights the importance of both belonging to ourselves and finding spaces where we belong to others as well. (We’re designing a master’s course around this book!).
Thanks for your own vulnerability and authenticity in this podcast — and this course!
— Leadership Prof
I love Brene Brown! I have also read her book Braving the Wilderness. It is an amazing read and I am so excited to hear that you are designing a master’s course around this book! Brene is truly inspiring and I have learned so much about the importance of being true to ourselves, being authentic and how much we can grow as individuals and as leaders when we are willing to be vulnerable. My favourite quote from Braving the Wilderness is “True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are” (Brown, 2017, p.40). This quote changed how I live my life! And as a woman in leadership it is essential that I don’t try to change who I am in order to fit in but rather I need to embrace who I am and live my truth.
There is an online article that you might find interesting entitled Why Emotional Courage Is So Essential To Great Leadership And Why So Many Lack It. The link can be found here.
I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to take this course. Thank you for your guidance, your patience as we relearn the ropes of online learning and for pushing us to always self reflect. This course has been so refreshing and inspiring!
I felt like standing up and cheering at the end of your leadership story! Vulnerability is scary and courageous. Labeling is limiting. You discussed and explained so well your journey through both. I like the way you stepped up with your students to explain who you are – no apologies, with strength and courage. I love Brene Brown as well. She has another book coming out in the fall of 2018 called; Dare to Lead: Bold Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. That would be a great course to have all on it’s own. It has been such a pleasure reading your posts. I learned a lot from your insights, vulnerability and comments. Many thanks!
Thanks Charliemable!Your first sentence made my day! 🙂 Isn’t Brene Brown amazing! I wasn’t aware that she had a new book coming out. Definitely something to look forward to!