During week 4 of LDRS500 I was so taken aback by Part three, 1. Paul Hamilton Hayne’s “This, too, shall pass away” (Watson, Lillian Eichler 1998). As it was intended to be, from the very first time of creation, “a motto wise and true and endlessly enduring, words by which a man could be guided all his life, in every circumstance, no matter what happened” (Watson, Lillian Eichler, 1998). To me this saying speaks to one having patience to get through times of adversity. Some of my strongest mentors display incredible patience both in business and in their personal life. It’s a quality I’ve admired and although I work hard to emulate, I know it’s something I must regularly practice. I recall with my superiors that were really good at what they did, often using time to solve problems, knowing that the next day allowed the opportunity for things to get better. Let me share more about the leadership lesson and how it is relevant in my life.
Since ever I can remember I have had a competitive streak in me, always trying to be top in whatever it is I do. In my younger years this was prevalent as I competed in team sports. I had an undying will to win at all costs. In my career this served me well as I climbed the corporate ladder. I wanted badly to keep going and move up as high as I could until I was humbly knocked down by a change of corporate direction. The new regime believed in ruling with an iron fist and I knew my style would not have success in that type of environment. I knew my choices were to adapt or move on and at the time the economy was not great and so there were not many options. I also knew that if I left I risked moving to another organization that might also have a similar management style. So I thought to myself better the devil you know instead of the devil you don’t. My career took a back seat for a few years as I decided it would be a good time to work on my family. As it turned out my taking a backseat and moving into a new department was an unexpected great decision in my life as it lead me home to my indigenous community. This takes me to the next chapter in my career and so invite you to read on.
Coming home was almost sacra religious. My entire life was starting to make sense. The patience I needed to have in my career was exactly what was needed. I know now when times are difficult, my mentors were right, sometimes time brings answers. My community has taught me so much about adversity and forgiveness, particularly when speaking with our elders, many of whom are residential school survivors. Time has become less relevant as I have learned I am here on this earth to serve the next 7 generations. This is how much time it takes to instill real change and when I count back to the beginning of colonization I am aware that I am the 7th generation here with the purpose of bringing my Kwantlen family to times of prosperity. Change is happening rapidly and with that brings fear. I am amazed at how much I’m able to preserver and instill change for the better despite those wanting to hold me back. I know if my elders can go through the abuses of residential school that I too can be strong, knowing in time things will get better. I believe now that my community is on the right path and one day we will be free from intergenerational trauma, alcoholism, drug addiction and abuse. In the moments where there is pain and words that are meant to hold me back I know tomorrow is a new day. As I lead my community through change we will have our good and bad days but as long as we move forward we will again be a healthy community. For me personally I’m glad I did not change to be a tyrant. I believe my leadership style has served me well in working with new generations that want to feel valued as employees. I’m very thankful I didn’t panic and stayed true to I was as I can see now with time, life can bring you in many different unexpected directions. Some people in my community say my ancestors brought me home. That may be part of it but I also believe when you follow your heart in whatever you do, life brings rewards.
References
Light from many Lamps, 1998 Lillian Eichler Watson