What does my leadership look like when it comes to service?
It’s something I am exploring in this chapter. And it’s a question I’ve seen the power of with clients, mentees and friends alike.
In one sense, it’s always been at the heart of all that I do. It was a big part of my “why” for pursuing and investing so much in the leadership roles I’ve held in the corporate world and my contributions within and through my law firm before that. It is a big part of my “why” for Some Days. For my writing. For my giveback. All of it.
In another sense, I’ve wanted to explore this question more explicitly. I know how much I’ve benefited from the service of others in so many areas, and I have felt called to weave different threads in the tapestry of service. To do my part in different ways. Particularly as the world worlds and I know the future needs all of us doing what we can to make it better.
One way this has shown up? About this time last year, as my son started at a new school in a new district (a new experience for us all around), I learned about the good being done by the foundation supporting the school in addition to the Parent Teacher Association. I knew I wanted to be involved.
As I left for the first meeting, my husband asked me not to sign up to lead anything (half joking, I think, but also still recovering from my last chapter and seeing me deep in building a company and a big writing project, among other things). At the same time, I knew there was a chance I would not be able to honor that request.
And, I was right. The foundation needed a Co-President that would step into the role of President this year and sit on two different Boards to support public middle and high school education in our community. I looked around the room and saw the people who cared enough to be there. Which is not to say the people who were not there didn’t care (I know I did for the many years I was not in such rooms!), but there was a convergence of care and space that was going to make the things I hoped for my child, and every child, possible.
It called.
Technically, I honored the request not to sign up at the meeting. But, right after, I stuck around, got more information and planted a seed that took root.
Last year as acting Co-President taught me so much, particularly how much goes on behind the scenes to make the wheels turn on the things I’ve long taken for granted. Also, how everyday people move mountains to try to make things better. How caring, kind and giving even the busiest among us can be. And where the heart-led leaders (and, I pray, a few future political candidates – we would all be so lucky!) can be found. Connecting for the right reasons with care at the center. And I know this year will be full of growth and meaning.
I’ve been reflecting a lot about coming of age and possibility and how the middle school years, which I have heard said can feel like a blip, are probably some of the most important in shaping the people our kids are becoming and, in that, our collective future. And it is an honor to help lead an organization with such a big and meaningful role to play in creating what is possible for every student in our school community by encouraging academic excellence and funding programs that create a richer school experience and help our students thrive.
Which brings me to why I decided to write about this. In case you were wondering or the “why” is helpful in some way (I always believe the “why” is helpful…).
Many reasons.
One is that something coming through loudly in recent years as an antidote to hopelessness and an impetus to change, is the power of finding ways to get involved and make a difference at a local level. It’s proven out that way for me. And, it’s easy to overlook the opportunities right in front of us. I know I have. But, it’s also easy to do something once we’ve made that connection. Noticing is the first step. I’m hopeful sharing how meaningful I’m finding it might inspire others.
Also, I’ve really questioned whether this is the kind of thing one shares. And, then, I’ve questioned why I’ve questioned it. Would I even think twice about sharing if I was President of a non-profit and on the Board of two that didn’t have a connection to my child’s school?
I have learned so much about myself, my leadership and my values through this exploration. From my inner thirteen-year-old to my self of today and everything in between. I’ve learned about my community. Its needs. Its challenges. Its opportunities. Its visionaries. The hope, belief and care that fuels them. The possibility I can play a role in amplifying.
And, like everyone, I have a choice about where to invest my energy, skills and resources. One thing I’ve noticed is, very often, those choices can tend to skew towards things we can put on our résumé or on LinkedIn. At the very least, it’s a consideration. And it’s wild to me that this work that literally fuels our communities, society and the future can be almost invisible in comparison. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that, in my sample set, it’s almost exclusively being done by women (with some very awesome exceptions – you know who you are!).
At a time when our public education system is both more important than ever and more at risk and in need than ever, this relative invisibility and deprioritization does not and cannot serve us.
So, this piece is for the ones who make it all happen. The swans with the fast flippers beneath the surface. I see you. I see the incredible passion and talent you bring to keep the wheels of our children, our communities and our future turning.
It’s also for the ones yearning to make a difference. Create a better tomorrow. Reconnect with hope, meaning and purpose. What you’re looking for may be waiting just the other side of drop-off or that place you see the nearby kids headed to each weekday morning.
And I, for one, am here for giving it the value and visibility it deserves…