May 18, 2022
Haiti
But the idea for the training didn’t start in Haiti.
Almost two months ago, my wife Joanne and I flew to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, for the first leadership class at the Dominican Starfish Foundation’s Community Center where 40 participants participated in “Liderazgo, Hoy y Para Siempre” (“Leadership: Today and Forever”) along with another 90 at a local church. We discussed leadership on the fundamental levels, what a leader is or should be, the role of a leader, leadership styles and characteristics, values, and principles of leadership.
Just after I arrived home from the Dominican Republic, I received an email from Mackenson Noël, a good friend and colleague from Haiti, who said, “When are you coming to Haiti to teach us the same leadership principles that you taught to our Dominican friends?”
A few challenges arose: I don’t speak French or Creole, so the seminar would need to be in English; and would the technology be sufficient to do it? Ever positive and willing, Mackenson was sure that it would happen.
Challenges are meant to be overcome. Mackenson secured a local church, gathered up the best techno-people and equipment he could find, created a learning opportunity for English-speaking Haitians, and invited them to come to a leadership training.
Over the next few weeks, I developed the flyer in English, sent it to Mackenson to review, and then he sent it out. Soon, a self-selected group of leaders and emerging leaders enrolled in the leadership seminar.
When I asked Mackenson what additional things he was expecting or principles he wished to be taught, he confidently said, “This is going to be a historical experience for us. We have high expectations for a wonderful leadership training from you.” That caused me some anxiety.
Finally, the day came, and we gathered together with entrepreneurs, an area seventy, the Haiti mission president, other church leaders and employees, and community leaders. Many of the 50 participants were scattered throughout Haiti and attended via Zoom with a few participants at the Church near the temple.
When asked why they had come to the seminar, they replied:
- “increase capacity,”
- “learn the role of a leader,”
- “lead better and follow vision,”
- “understand the difference between management and leadership,”
- “learn how to continue to practice when I fail,”
- “gain the ability to lead,”
- “find the right solutions,”
- and many, many others.
Some of the challenges they were currently facing were:
- “feeling comfortable directing the work of others,”
- “working through conflict management,”
- “learning to lead in chaos,”
- “helping people feel confident in their job,”
- “procrastinating completing goals,”
- “not concentrating on the right things,”
- “developing staff development programs in their organizations,”
- and several others.
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We worked on personal leadership plans after understanding their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). We discussed the characteristics and values of leaders and how they were going to continue obtaining these characteristics. They all desperately wanted to succeed as leaders, personally and professionally.
One of the quotes from President John Quincy Adams stirred several questions: He said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” One participant, Shelsea, said, “After listening to this quote, I have to ask myself, ‘Do my actions inspire others? Do I inspire others to learn more, dream more, and become more’?”
Throughout the leadership training, they learned about themselves and what additional skills they needed to obtain—all the while doing and becoming the leaders they want to be. Randy learned some ways to enhance the way she “directed the work of others.” Spencer discovered that “learning is about others and focusing on them.” Another participant, Roy, decided she had three things to do: “1) upgrade myself, 2) develop more skills, and 3) learn how to develop solutions to overcoming my challenges and problems.”
After the training, another participant, Ania, wrote to me and said, “I could understand better the sense of leadership, and I’m working more on myself now. I’m devoted to helping people more than before, so I’m on my way to change to become the best version of myself.”
To help continue the training and learning, we all decided we would re-connect in a few weeks. They were hungry to learn more about leadership. Their leadership plans showed many excellent goals to become better leaders and individuals, knowing that when they do complete their goals, they will increase their abilities to lead in their organizations, create opportunities for others to grow and develop, and enhance their own futures and the future of their country.
Warren Bennis once said, “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality,” and these Haitian leaders and emerging leaders are on their way to translating their vision into their leadership reality and ultimately making a difference in the lives of their fellow Haitians.
Ultimately, then, to become a leader, we must learn what a leader is and does, and then begin to apply those principles in our daily lives. Once we start the application process, we will see gradual changes in our behavior, our values, and our principles.
