So August 25 comes around, I'm tired from the 2 weeks of CBI but a bit excited and anxious to actually start my program. Mind you, I have no clue as to what the program entails. Remember that thing I said about ambiguity, yes, it's still lurking around on the first day of the program. By now, I had already met most of the people in my program, but still a bit nervous. This is the day of the actual program, we have gone over the self-introductions, we are beginning to figure out who we can joke around with in a certain manner, who is still kind of serious. But all that aside, we walk in to our very first lecture, in the Pacific Room, which is organized very much like the UN General Assembly Hall, half circle shapes and each person with a microphone. Pretty cool huh. Then the lecture starts.....
The Pacific Plan... I immediately panic. I skimmed through the plan and went through all the websites that were listed on the pre-arrival assignment and even took down some notes, but nothing could have prepared me for the first day. I was just baffled. Nothing made sense to me. I felt like we were just nitpicking a few parts of the plan and discussing it which did not make sense in the end. And that is all I remember from the first day.
Fortunately the next day was redeemed with a great session by Nick Barker that was not so much about the technicalities and mechanics of being a leader in the Pacific, but more about our own personal leadership attributes. This exercise brought about some good memories and some not so good, but it gave meaning and depth to the program. Following this, we had the honor of hearing Dr. Tusi of Samoa give us a talk about how it really is to be a leader in the Pacific and referred to an idea that I have heard of before but he simplified it as Relevance vs. Reverence, meaning to have your credibility in the western world and also your own culture. (i.e. degrees and western accomplishments but also know what is important and valued in your culture). It was a very simple idea and statement that he made, but it was moving.
The even cooler part of the week was having a chance to hear from some of the most renowned leaders of all time including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Gro Harlem Brundtland, and Hina Jilani who are just spectacular in their own rights.
Here are some of the notes I took from that talk with these three amazing elders:
1. Convince yourself that your vision is good and that it is for the collective good.
2. Leadership qualities and potential are within us and we need to find where our inspiration comes from
3. Gain new knowledge from others and inspire others.
4. When you're going against the tide, you shouldn't rest too soon because you will be set back
5. You are a leader standing out in a crowd only so because you have been carried by the shoulders of others.
6. Look towards and pray for the humanity within ourselves to bring people together.
These are only some of the many things they said that are both inspiring and challenging for young aspiring leaders like myself.
The Pacific Plan... I immediately panic. I skimmed through the plan and went through all the websites that were listed on the pre-arrival assignment and even took down some notes, but nothing could have prepared me for the first day. I was just baffled. Nothing made sense to me. I felt like we were just nitpicking a few parts of the plan and discussing it which did not make sense in the end. And that is all I remember from the first day.
Fortunately the next day was redeemed with a great session by Nick Barker that was not so much about the technicalities and mechanics of being a leader in the Pacific, but more about our own personal leadership attributes. This exercise brought about some good memories and some not so good, but it gave meaning and depth to the program. Following this, we had the honor of hearing Dr. Tusi of Samoa give us a talk about how it really is to be a leader in the Pacific and referred to an idea that I have heard of before but he simplified it as Relevance vs. Reverence, meaning to have your credibility in the western world and also your own culture. (i.e. degrees and western accomplishments but also know what is important and valued in your culture). It was a very simple idea and statement that he made, but it was moving.
The even cooler part of the week was having a chance to hear from some of the most renowned leaders of all time including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Gro Harlem Brundtland, and Hina Jilani who are just spectacular in their own rights.
Here are some of the notes I took from that talk with these three amazing elders:
1. Convince yourself that your vision is good and that it is for the collective good.
2. Leadership qualities and potential are within us and we need to find where our inspiration comes from
3. Gain new knowledge from others and inspire others.
4. When you're going against the tide, you shouldn't rest too soon because you will be set back
5. You are a leader standing out in a crowd only so because you have been carried by the shoulders of others.
6. Look towards and pray for the humanity within ourselves to bring people together.
These are only some of the many things they said that are both inspiring and challenging for young aspiring leaders like myself.
with Dr. Tusi of Samoa
the gang that woke up early on a Saturday morning to listen to go listen to the Elders
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