See this picture of me from a long time ago? It’s grainy and a little sepia toned because cameras weren’t that good back then and digital imaging was a new technology so a picture had to be actually printed. It’s also grainy because in order to get it on this blog post I had to take a picture of the picture with my phone. That’s how long ago it was.

Looking back on this photo I see not my 20-year ago self but a freshly minted professional. Enthusiastic and ready to change the world one cause at a time. There is nothing like a little flash from the past to make you realize how many lessons were learned while flexing your wings. Learning to lead is not easy. There is nothing like standing in front of a group of concerned citizens on their way to a grassroots organizing campaign, or a hundred homeless people, or a staff of fifteen, or a congregation of a hundred and fifty people, or a board of directors whatever the size – all waiting for you to give them some direction for what is to happen next – to realize that you in that precise moment are the person who must say something. Go ahead. Lead.

My leadership path wasn’t smooth, clean, or always clear. I am so grateful for the people who directed me along the way and allowed me to fail forward, catch myself and try again. I’m grateful for every crazy idea I pitched that they let me try and every lesson I learned about the limits to my own strength and the importance of relying on other people. These gracious, incredible people – and the nonprofit and congregations they were a part of – provided mirrors when I needed reflection, coaching when I needed support, the occasional Band-Aid when I cut myself (that was not always a metaphor), and the important lessons in disappointment, bewilderment, and even betrayal that made their other lessons in love, grace, resilience and forgiveness the balance that is needed if one is going to persevere in working with people. I cut my teeth in these organizations, and if that sometimes made them feel like a chew toy, then, well, I owe them a long overdue “thank you.” Thanks.

What I know about my formational process was that there were three key things that made that my leadership path somewhat clearer and my development as a professional a lot more intentional:

• Supportive peer relationships: provided ballast, guidance, support – and, solutions when I was stuck. Meeting regularly with peers to have conversations about the challenges and successes I faced as a leader reminded me that I wasn’t alone and could indeed take the next step. I also learned from their stories and avoided pitfalls that might have derailed my good intentions in leading others and managing teams.
• Executive Coaching: I was fortunate to participate in a program that provided Executive coaching very early in my career. I would not have been able to afford this top-level support on a newly minted professional salary otherwise. It has been invaluable. There is nothing like having a confidential thought partner on your leadership journey who will both support and challenge your growth and development.
• Organizational Development: intentional leadership training showed me that there is an art – and a science – to leadership. Participation in several post-graduate school fellowships that taught organization development and concepts in industrial psychology let me learn that leadership is not a great mystery. It is a skill. And, it can be taught.

What I know about my leadership today is that I still need these 3 things! But I also know that not everyone has access to these three supports all the time, and sometimes finding the resources on your own is often frustrating. I also know that while we face unprecedented times and lead our organizations towards a new bold future lead by more inclusion and equity and focused on the changes to our programs brought on by a pandemic, every leader needs community and opportunities for growth.