———————————————————————————————
Linett has this unique ability to differentiate a talk or training to inspire a diverse audience in varied ways. I was blessed to attend a talk and training (EADILP) which really influenced my next step, a decision I do not regret.
At her talk, Linett spoke of her leadership journey, the obstacles, challenges and triumphs. Some things she shared really resonate. One was her passion for art and her work with young people in the community. Another was a question she asked, “ask yourself why you want to progress”.
This caused me to reflect on my own progression journey, which has been smooth up to middle leadership level. It was a definite cycle of apply->make shortlist->interview->get an offer. All attempts to progress on to senior leadership threw in a spanner of several closed doors. I then allowed myself become consumed with determination and ambition to progress up, causing me to forget the all-important “why”, and with each closed door came frustration, loss of confidence, then bitterness.
Linett’s words launched me on a course of self-reflection and self-rediscovery, leading me to take one step down when I saw a fantastic opportunity at new school. Some family and close friends who knew my ambition thought I was mad, and some may speculate that the whole point of the course (EADILP) was to collect tools to help one progress upwards.
I am pleased to say that I HAVE. Upwards within myself, which is more important than any promotion or monetary benefits that follow. I am in the classroom more and have found my lost joy and passion for shaping the lives of young people. I am also more involved with young people within the community, outside the traditional academic setting. I am certain that progression will come again, perhaps not in the way I thought, and I am on the right course having regained the right attitude.
I remember Linett’s starter activity at a training event. She had a collection of different objects and invited delegates to pick one item that symbolises where one was on one’s progression journey. I must confess that in my mind I rolled my eyes several times and thought two things: “here we go again with these silly training activities” and “there is no way any of those objects can symbolise anything for me!” How wrong I was. Linett brought out my inner abstract artist, and I did find a piece of a jigsaw puzzle which was a perfect representation.
Then came the time to share and I immediately decided not to. But Linett’s words from the previous talk echoed in my mind, “girls, you need to speak out more” when delegates of the opposite gender dominated the group conversation we were having. So, I suppressed my instinct to remain quiet and assured myself that what I had to share could inspire another. I shared fluidly and my voice did not shake as usual. In summary, it was about how the piece of jigsaw puzzle symbolised figuring myself out and my decision to step down for now.
I close this testament with my opening paragraph: Linett has this unique ability to differentiate a talk or training to inspire a diverse audience in varied ways.
Thank you for adding me to your very long list of leaders you have inspired.
