My experience in the Leadership Academy was transformative in many ways. Professionally, it equipped me with nuanced perspectives on communication and conflict styles, enabling me to engage more intentionally in workplace dynamics. Personally, the foundational emphasis on belonging within the Circle of Human Concern fostered a deeper sense of empathy and interconnectedness with those around me.
Before the Leadership Academy, I struggled with my own self-confidence in identifying and addressing harmful behaviors and processes in the workplace because I was not in a traditional “leadership” role. I was highly aware of the power dynamics and politics in the environments I was in. As such, I found it difficult to advocate for myself and for others in a timely manner, without the additional mental load of constantly thinking about the risks, as well as making sure that I was not centering myself if I was not directly harmed. In previous experiences, I was met with either defensiveness or overcorrecting, which led to self-doubt.
The multiple self-evaluating activities in the Leadership Academy helped me dive deeper into what my strengths and weaknesses were. On the first day, I appreciated the introductory group exercise, “True Colors,” to get to know folks based on their personalities. It was great to see how others process tasks and information. I found it very useful to have done the colleague and self-evaluation as well. The legal landscape that we operate in was built for urgency and leaves no time for self-reflection – the possibility of addressing self and relational issues and correcting course is left on the backburner when you have cases and work to get to. It was so important that we took the time to pause and reflect on what we could be doing better.
I am starting to show up differently, embracing leadership with more comfort, and taking a more proactive stance in advocating for equity and anti-racism. I started practicing “cognitive dissonance” when it comes to confronting harmful processes and behaviors in my personal and professional life. This was my favorite theory that I took away from the Leadership Academy, and it taught me the conflict approach of enlightening rather than accusing that I can now confidently use. I am still unlearning years of traits stemming from oppressive systems and binary thinking. I am also finding myself going back to the levels of Pro-Equity and Anti-Racism Work to ground me in my personal journey and be reflective of others on theirs.
These insights have not only shaped my approach to organizational transformation but have also renewed my hope and belief in the core principle of Achieving Workable Unity. This was one of the areas that I was eager to learn most about, given previous challenging experiences trying to move into action. The Pathways to Action activities helped me be introspective of where I tend to land when it comes to problem solving, and how to collectively move toward effective change when others are at different stages of action.
Although the substance and work we put into the Leadership Academy was difficult at times, it was still rewarding. I had an additional role alongside my regular duties at work that included race equity work in a staff task force. The task force was responsible for improving our internal processes and policies. I was invested in learning various areas, particularly conflict management and strategic thinking, as these were highly relevant to our organization at that time. I now hold higher standards for the race equity goals and values an organization aims to achieve and sustain. Although no individual or place is perfect, I hope that policies and processes are based on race equity work and sustainability. I am proud that my prior organization was moving in that direction, continually assessing how to align actions with organizational values.
The Leadership Academy has been a pivotal chapter in my journey during a time marked by significant events such as getting married and losing my civil legal aid job due to insufficient funding. To be honest, I often did not have my full energy to give it my all. There were many personal and professional responsibilities to manage during this time and for the Leadership Academy one must be mentally prepared for potential triggers and a lot of deep inner reflection.
Most importantly, joining the first all-BIPOC cohort was a unique and much needed experience. It allowed for genuine expression and a supportive environment, fostering knowledge sharing and diverse perspectives, without the apprehension of unintentionally perpetuating harmful stereotypes or being exoticized. Having our last retreat in-person the week after the presidential election provided much needed community. It was so impactful to have meaningful connections in person, affirming and validating where each of us were at emotionally and physically during a challenging time. I learned valuable lessons on community care and organizational renewal, recognizing the importance of resilience, and the need to balance this with well-being and sustainability. I truly believe this program has left me with a supportive network of amazing folks who share the same language and mission as me. Although I’m not sure where my career in the future may go, I feel reassured that I have community and guidance.