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Living by Leadership Principles
Megan Smith, Generative Fellowship alum
(This story originally appeared on the CoreAlign blog, June 9, 2015)
(This story originally appeared on the CoreAlign blog, June 9, 2015)
I created these images (click to enlarge) based on my experience with the CoreAlign Generative Fellowship. The fellowship focuses on how to translate Design Thinking concepts into justice-oriented work.
Throughout the past six months, I have worked to develop a leadership program for 18-22 year-olds. It hasn’t always been an easy process, but one I knew was important. As someone who is no longer a young feminist, I wanted to offer young people a seat at the table, to give them information and tools to succeed, and to foster connection that would make them feel welcome in the movement.
The principles I learned throughout my fellowship: vulnerability, connection, and trust, have aided me in my process to create a better program than I would have created otherwise. I have learned how to let go of expectations — my own and others’ — as well as my need to control the process and outcomes; this has opened me up to new understandings, more creative ideas, and more input from others to create a dynamic and flexible program. By doing so, I have gained trust in myself as a leader and trust in the process.
One of the most important things I have learned is that not knowing the next step is a perfect position to operate from. Sitting with discomfort and vulnerability is part of the process, and not knowing the answer means I am doing something right. Most importantly, I have learned how to make connections to others and how to co-create programming rather than feeling like I needed to stick to my roadmap in order to achieve success. While I am still learning, these principles can help to guide me in my future work.
I know that I am a better leader than I was six months ago. Before CoreAlign, I would have defined leadership as a director of a group. Now, as I have watched my leaders grow and put together poster presentations, speak at rallies and on panels, produce art installations, and write op-eds, I realize that I haven’t directed them to do anything. They have already had the ideas and tools inside of them, and I have just been there to witness their journey as they begin to change the world.
As one of my leaders put in her evaluation of the program, leadership is “acting in accordance with your values and supporting others in doing the same”. I couldn’t have said it better.
Megan is an artist, activist, and social worker in Boston, MA. Follow her at @RepealHydeArtPr and learn more about her work at www.repealhydeartproject.org.
Throughout the past six months, I have worked to develop a leadership program for 18-22 year-olds. It hasn’t always been an easy process, but one I knew was important. As someone who is no longer a young feminist, I wanted to offer young people a seat at the table, to give them information and tools to succeed, and to foster connection that would make them feel welcome in the movement.
The principles I learned throughout my fellowship: vulnerability, connection, and trust, have aided me in my process to create a better program than I would have created otherwise. I have learned how to let go of expectations — my own and others’ — as well as my need to control the process and outcomes; this has opened me up to new understandings, more creative ideas, and more input from others to create a dynamic and flexible program. By doing so, I have gained trust in myself as a leader and trust in the process.
One of the most important things I have learned is that not knowing the next step is a perfect position to operate from. Sitting with discomfort and vulnerability is part of the process, and not knowing the answer means I am doing something right. Most importantly, I have learned how to make connections to others and how to co-create programming rather than feeling like I needed to stick to my roadmap in order to achieve success. While I am still learning, these principles can help to guide me in my future work.
I know that I am a better leader than I was six months ago. Before CoreAlign, I would have defined leadership as a director of a group. Now, as I have watched my leaders grow and put together poster presentations, speak at rallies and on panels, produce art installations, and write op-eds, I realize that I haven’t directed them to do anything. They have already had the ideas and tools inside of them, and I have just been there to witness their journey as they begin to change the world.
As one of my leaders put in her evaluation of the program, leadership is “acting in accordance with your values and supporting others in doing the same”. I couldn’t have said it better.
Megan is an artist, activist, and social worker in Boston, MA. Follow her at @RepealHydeArtPr and learn more about her work at www.repealhydeartproject.org.