This past weekend, I attended YWCA’s National Leadership Summit in Muskoka, Ontario.
Let me first tell you how honored I was to be on Rama Territory with nature’s beautiful setting to fuel my creative thinking. I was given the opportunity to work with other women from across Canada and discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist for the next generation of future leaders. We participated in leadership development and conversations around what it means to be a leader in 2015.
I had an amazing time and equally amazing experience!
This conference had me thinking about effective leadership. I wanted to gain new insight into what made great leaders! So much of what we as a society value shows up in our choices. Paulette Senior, CEO of YWCA said something that really resonated with me. She
YWNLS 2015, Paulette Senior and Rashida Geddessaid : “It’s important to realize how you show up!” The energy and passion we bring to our work, our businesses and our lives matter!
3 powerful ideas stood out to me as themes throughout the weekend:
1. You Have To Be Willing To Go Outside Your Comfort Zone
This weekend, I went snowshoeing and skiing for the first time. The whole body workout I got was great! I met amazing women from all across Canada and participated in a traditional Native Indian circle dance (this was so powerful!) The weekend was filled with moments that put me outside of what I was use to. I tried things for the first time and participated in different cultural practices that I had never been exposed to before.
I enjoyed every moment!
Sometimes we have to push the boundaries of what we are comfortable with in the name of transformational experiences. Unfamiliarity can sometimes feel uncomfortable. But if we let fear and anxiety guide our actions, we will miss out on some pretty amazing things.
2. Take Back Your Power
Over the course of the weekend, I met some pretty “bad-ass” women (excuse my language). These women were strong, brave and resilient in the face of adversity and all forms of abuse. They were women who felt the injustices of life, had gone through it’s fires and had emerged intact!
They had taken control of their stories, their memories and their lives! They had taken back their power!!
Life sometimes has a way of putting us in challenging and hopeless situations. But you can’t let that get the best of you. You have to take back your control and power. So many negative energies are counting on you to give up and lose. Don’t let it have control over your life! Don’t let it dictate how you show up on this earth.
3. Own You Truth & Your Space
There were moments in my life that I wasn’t able to find my voice. I didn’t understand the importance of loving myself and trusting my intuition. I had let people’s expectations and feelings of me tell my story and in the process dimmed my own light.
I chose in those moments to take up less space, both physically and mentally. Over the years, through self-awareness and reflection, I have been able to redefine my truth. I have been able to discover what matters to me and my life and I am not afraid to own it!
I have learned that I can take up as much space as I need because I rightfully have things to say.
When you decide not to speak up because someone else told you not to, you in essence loose your voice. Redefine what it means to step up, speak out and lead and own your space!
YWNLS 2015, Group Photo The weekend was filled with powerful moments and shared experiences. As women, we created a sisterhood of support, understanding and love.
This weekend was not about competition or egos.
It was about the coming together of diverse women so that we can create a stronger voice rooted in our different values and combined strengths.
As Kim Milan said: “we need women who can make decisions in all areas of society so that change happens at all levels.”
So that we can have a better, brighter, future to look forward to.
And I have to tell you, I am excited about what these women will accomplish. Watch out Canada! The next generation of leaders are ready for take over and will not take NO for an answer!