Today I left 23 new friends from around the globe in Vancouver. I had set out to blog every day about our experience at the Global Alliance for Leadership Academy. It was good intentions.
But, what prevented me from blogging was a deep learning experience. Every waking hour and minute was filled with experiential learning and deep conversations, the kind of conversations that dig at your soul and your purpose on this planet. The kind of conversations that form a bond with people I didn’t know a week ago.
And, so this week has been this unexpected gift. An unexpected gift in a couple of ways:
Listening
Probably the biggest thing I’ve learned is listening. (I know, I know, everyone talks about active listening) But it’s far more than that. It’s using queries to understand, without judgment. To let each other to become vulnerable to each other. Showing our flat sides. But, with all of this comes this beautiful thing called trust. And, for an introvert who doesn’t like to share, this was so difficult but reaped so many benefits at the same time.
Take Care of You
My M.O. is to inherently take care of others. This week I learned how to use tools like meditation, dialogue walks, solo walks to clear the anxiety, to clear one’s head and, probably, most importantly, to let go.
Soul Bonding is Possible
Being with these 23 people from around the world and three exceptional teachers from Oxford and MIT, I thought I would get an academic course for the week. I don’t let go very often but this week I was encouraged to. And, in the end, I could feel my soul being touched by other’s soul. In such a deep way, I will never forget. Never.
And, so this is my unexpected gift. Wrapped up in some very special people. I am so grateful for this week. For the 2019 class of GABV Leadership Academy. I will miss them dearly over the next four months until we meet in Berlin again.
