Written by Emma Mclean, Works for Everyone
We had already met on Zoom, but I was still slightly nervous about what was going to happen on our first in-person retreat for The NZ Leadership Programme. It felt luxurious to have two days shut off from the real world, away from responsibilities and groundhog day tasks (like asking my children to put their phones down). Yet, from the moment we all gathered around our Cohort circle and from the first words of welcome, I knew that even though this was about leadership, it was going to start inside with me.
“Ehara! Ko koe te ringa e huti punga!
Yes, yours is the arm best suited to pull up the anchor”
The opening whakataukī was shared by Chief Executive, Anya Satyanand. Darn it, I’m going to have to do the mahi first. Leadership starts with yourself. And for me, this has not always been an easy place to start. I’m good at pretending I’ve got it altogether, but if I go a little bit deeper, I know there is stuff down there that needs my attention.
There was something beautiful about sharing a space with strangers. People who don’t know each other, who may never have met if it were not for this Programme and its shared kaupapa. Over the next two days I began to get to know others and I started to lift the lid on myself. I became a poet, I practiced real listening and started to become grounded in my roots, something I had not thought about until now. I embraced feeling awkward (many times!), not knowing the right answer and holding the space with silence. Very different from any other work retreat I have been on. It was real.
Truth bombs exploded silently in my head throughout the days and nights. So many resonated with me. One that stood out, is how often we think we don’t have enough time at work to find out who our team members really are, beyond their job title. To be curious about how they define their co-ordinates of belonging and what grounds them in their essential self. But how can we not find the time? Spending the time to understand who we really are, builds connective tissue in a team and forms a container for change. Without this connective tissue we are only individuals sitting next to each other. My mind is flooded with the potential of this. When did we forget that we are thinking, feeling human beings? Beyond talent, team leaders, head count and FTE.
I have accepted an invitation to change by being part of The NZ Leadership Programme 2021. Before the first retreat, I thought the change might be that I would learn some new skills and meet new people. It is both those things but much more. It is not a box to tick or a qualification, it is an experience. It is a unique opportunity to meet ourselves. Our real self. Not the self that answers with stock standard replies – “I’m good”, “I’m busy”, or “I’m ok”. And as I am learning, our real selves are the wisest people, they are our very own internal GPS system. We just need to find them again. Sounds easy but it is going to be hard. And I can do hard things.
Did Emma’s story resonate with you? This is one of many courageous, enriching and impactful journeys on The NZ Leadership Programme.
Are you a leader for the future of Aotearoa? Are you a mid-level, senior or community leader in New Zealand who wishes to help evolve its leadership landscape? Do you know someone who is?
Applications are open for the The NZ Leadership Programme 2022.
We warmly invite suitable leaders across New Zealand to apply now.