Blog from Jameta Nicole Barlow, PhD, MPH | Assistant Professor of Writing, Health Policy & Management and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, University Writing Program and Women’s Leadership Program | Directors of Undergraduate Studies, WGSS
I’ve always thought about leadership differently. Growing up, I saw my parents and family friends active in our communities, church and civic/cultural organizations. I was raised to believe that when you’ve been given much, you’re supposed to share with others, including knowledge. Moreover, I was taught to not complain about things unless I’m actively contributing to solutions. As a result, I’ve seen reluctant leaders show up in communities that look like me and create meaningful change.
My time in GWALA has expanded this notion of reluctant leadership. This expansion has stretched me beyond my self-imposed limitations, as well as the traditional top down approach of leadership and power. This program has reinforced my schema of leadership, in a non traditional way.. Here are some of my lessons learned from this GWALA experience, employing this theme of stretching and reluctant leadership. Perhaps my lessons inspire you to reimagine your framing of leadership.
- Self-care is an act of leadership. This semester, I was in a car accident that left me with a rather debilitating whiplash condition. This truly uprooted my life. I couldn’t meet deadlines. I missed meetings. Focusing on my healing forced me to reinforce boundaries. As someone who studies stress and trauma, I thought I already had a handle on boundaries. I had to relearn that I am no good to anyone if I’m not good myself. I became comfortable sharing my circumstances with students and colleagues. By doing this, I’m sure this gave others permission to consider their own boundaries.
- Amplifying my voice is an act of leadership. I’ve begun to embrace my new identity as a public intellectual. Leadership is less about the task and more about accomplishing the goals/objectives.
- Horizontal leadership is an act of leadership. Leadership can be horizontal, not top/down. And, it is important to ensure we work collectively to ensure everyone has the requisite skills to the work that is required.
- Ubuntu is an active of leadership. If one of us is not right, none of us are right. And if you’re the person who can see what is not right and work towards making it right, you are in fact a leader. All of the tools and assessments in this program have confirmed for me the work I do as a community-engaged researcher, work with students on campus and professional service are in fact less talked about acts of leadership. Just like my family, friends and mentors, my leadership may originate as reluctance but eventually they become philosophy (epistemology and ontology).
This is how we change the definitions of leadership.
Much appreciation to my cohort, speakers and our leadership in creating this space for reflection and expansion. May all of the future cohorts be stretched as they engage in their versions of leadership!