I have become an authentic leader who can inspire colleagues to collaborate toward achieving success.
Previously, I worked with non-profit organizations to increase organizational effectiveness, drive broader social, and systems change. I was responsible for spreading awareness of the organizations’ causes, building partnerships and ensuring the voices of the community members reached the relevant stakeholders.
I decided to apply to the Master of Arts in Global Leadership program once I became increasingly involved with local and international organizations. I found myself dealing with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and I felt I needed to develop my global leadership capabilities, intercultural competencies and global mindset to effectively navigate an increasingly diverse business world.
In the program, the practical sessions led by specialists in the field, the one-on-one and group training, presentations, exercises and the capstone project provided me with access to a wealth of knowledge. I was able to identify my leadership strengths and gaps. As a result, my ability to lead in multicultural settings was greatly enhanced.
Today, I lead differently in several ways. I am aware of the diverse ways in which people perceive and respond to various situations. This knowledge has been invaluable in my current role with the Government of Ontario, where I effectively communicate with individuals of different ages, backgrounds, traditions, and cultures. By bridging these gaps, I ensure that the organization's objectives are understood, despite the complexities of the systems in place. I have become more self-aware of my biases and actively strive to prevent them from influencing my decision-making process. I have also become more open-minded. I now embrace differing opinions, consider how my colleagues and clients perceive me, and I am less averse to engaging in difficult conversations. As a result, I have become an authentic leader who can inspire colleagues to collaborate toward achieving success and I am open to taking on more challenging roles as they arise.
Get to know other graduates of the Royal Roads Master of Arts in Global Leadership program here.