Jennifer Ewacha: Lead From Where You Stand

For our third session of Leadership Winnipeg, we attended a session at the 142-year-old Government House; The Honourable Anita Neville, Manitoba Lieutenant-Governor, opened the morning and welcomed us to her home. Ashley Seymour, Volunteer MB, introduced the keynote speaker, Connie Walker.

Connie shared her gratitude and reflection on her recent retirement, key leadership advice: At the end of the day, leadership is about people. We need capacity to walk in other people’s shoes. Our strength comes from being able to walk in all people’s shoes. We must be empathetic; it boosts morale, commitment, supports innovation. When people feel trusted and safe, they will excel. People will remember how you treated them and how you made them feel, not what you said.

She shared practical experiences, from her experience as public health nurse, to more recently her work as the CEO of United Way. More recently, how as a team they worked through problems together, adapting a “let’s think about it” strategy while they considered the decision before acting, rather than making an emotional decision.

Leadership requires:

• Empathy
• Relationship building
• Steadiness and calm

As a leader you must recognize that you cannot do this job alone, you need a team that you trust fully. Leadership is continuously finding strength in others, find people who nurture the person’s strengths. As a leader, you must see different perspectives, even if you don’t want to. There is value in listening to people with very different perspectives; you gain insight into divergent views. You must have the courage to ask the questions you really don’t want to ask. Sometimes you will have to have hard conversations, they will take a lot out of you, but this is your job.

After, we broke out into small groups and had the privilege to speak with the following leaders, sharing some words of wisdom:

Sandy Cahal

Don’t be afraid to speak up, be authentic, ask questions, be fearless.

Carly Edmundson

Don’t ask, don’t get.

“If you’re not in the arena getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.” Brene Brown

Jessica Dumas

Learn to quiet the doubt you have about yourself; you’re not going to be comfortable in a leadership role. What is going to make me happy?

Kevin Selch

I’d rather do it and fail than not do it at all.

Later, we met and negotiated our upcoming group projects, supporting the Downtown YMCA, Main St Project, North End Women’s Centre, and Canada Life. More details to follow!

After a day full of listening and discussion, I came away with clarity on what it takes to be a leader.

1. Lead from where you stand. You don’t need a fancy title to be a leader. Speak up every day, show respect, be humble, model integrity, notice moments where you can do more.
2. Leap – challenge yourself. It’s how you treat people, set a vision, grown a team.
3. Be generous – small Post-it notes of gratitude or remembering that someone’s favourite fruit is a mandarin orange.