Part 3
As we enter the third week of our discussion on Contradictory Leadership, we have had the opportunity to reflect on our diverse experiences serving communities across the globe. Our journeys, though distinct in context, intersect in unique ways, illustrating the importance of embracing the dualities within leadership.
Agenis’s Experience
My journey has been a remarkable one, serving as a benchmark for communities globally and connecting with over 5,000 of them.
My work has spanned multiple continents, and I’ve learned to adapt to the unique challenges each community faces, as well as those larger issues that impact humanity as a whole.
For instance, I took the lead in orchestrating the return to major international and in-person events after the pandemic. This wasn’t just about getting people back together.
It was about re-establishing connections, perseverance, and hope in a time when such were desperately needed.
Then came the war in Ukraine — a situation that brought about unprecedented challenges.
The organization I preside over has a significant membership from the region, and I found myself needing to respond swiftly and decisively.
Sometimes, I relied on the clear positions taken by my team. Other times, I had to exercise my authority to make quick and firm decisions based on the circumstances at hand.
The contrast between the flexibility in some of my decisions and the resolute firmness in others has been striking.
But isn’t that the essence of effective leadership in today’s world? I often find myself shifting from one leadership style to another, depending on the situation, the team dynamics, and the objectives at hand.
It’s about achieving goals effectively and efficiently while being adaptable in my approach.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my experience has been fostering relationships based on trust and respect.
I’ve worked hard to bridge the gap between traditional practices and modern methodologies, understanding that the best outcomes often come from integrating the wisdom of the past with innovative strategies for the future.
This journey has taught me that effective leadership is not about sticking rigidly to one style. Rather, it is about navigating contradictions with a blend of empathy and understanding.
In the grand scheme of things, the lessons I’ve learned through these challenges highlight the importance of adaptability and the human touch in leadership.
Whether it is tackling a global crisis or supporting a local community, the ability to adjust my approach, while remaining grounded in my values, has become my greatest asset.
And as I continue this journey, I am excited to see how my experiences will shape not only me as a leader but also the communities I serve.
Esther’s Journey
My journey has taken me to China, where I’ve had the precious opportunity to work closely with healthcare professionals — doctors and nurses who often hold conflicting views on patient care.
It’s been a wild ride, filled with challenges and fulfillment. One special experience was working alongside a nurse named Anna, a dedicated professional who constantly faced ethical dilemmas.
Imagine this: every day, Anna had to reconcile her unwavering commitment to patient care with the rigid policies enforced by the hospital administration. It was a tough balancing act!
Instead of shying away from the tensions that arose, I leaned into them. Rather than reprimanding Anna for questioning authority, I encouraged open conversations.
We gathered our colleagues for brainstorming sessions where everyone could voice their concerns freely. This approach was all about creating a space where ideas could flow without fear of judgment.
It’s like bringing together a family for a holiday dinner where everyone gets a say. Sometimes the conversations can get heated, but you come away with a better understanding of each other.
This experience highlighted a key aspect of what I like to call ‘contradictory leadership’.
I have learned that embracing conflicting ideas and perspectives is not a weakness; it is a powerful tool for team building and innovation.
By fostering a collaborative spirit, we not only found solutions to the pressing issues our team faced but also strengthened our relationships with one another.
We started to see ourselves as a united front, rather than individuals battling against a system.
These anecdotes really emphasize how contradictory leadership can lead to a richer understanding of the dynamics in our professional environments.
Instead of viewing leadership as a one-size-fits-all role, we discovered that true strength lies not just in uniformity but in the ability to hold contrasting ideas and practices side by side.
Anecdotes like these underscores how Contradictory Leadership invites a broader understanding of the dynamics at play in our professional environments.
This leads us to a crucial question: why is Contradictory Leadership essential? We conceptualize our answer through the acronym REAL — which stands for Relationships, Empowerment, Attitudes, and Leadership.
Each component complements and enriches the complex landscape of leadership, especially in contexts laden with contradiction.
Relationships
At the core of Contradictory Leadership lies the ability to cultivate genuine relationships. Whether it’s Argenis’ negotiating with community or Esther’s approach in the hospital, we both recognize that effective leadership begins with building trust.
By valuing each unique perspective, we lay the foundation for open dialogues, transforming adversities into opportunities for growth.
Empowerment
Empowerment involves recognizing the potential in others and guiding them to unleash it. In both our experiences, we witnessed that transformation occurs when people are given the authority to express their thoughts and influence outcomes.
This empowerment often feels seemingly contradictory, as it involves stepping back and allowing others to take the lead.
However, we firmly believe that true leaders embrace these contradictions, nurturing an environment where individuals feel confident to share their ideas and take ownership of their roles.
Attitudes
Our attitudes as leaders significantly shape the environments we cultivate. In the face of challenges, our approach can either ignite motivation or breed resentment.
Argenis’ positive demeanor while working with community members who opposed modernization serves as a prime example. His steadfast belief in the potential for change galvanized the community.
Similarly, Esther’s optimistic mindset in navigating the healthcare system in China inspired her colleagues to view problems as opportunities rather than insurmountable obstacles.
A positive attitude allows us to embrace contradictions as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.
Leadership
Finally, effective leadership requires the courage to confront contradictions directly. It is about understanding that oppositions often coexist and can create transformative outcomes.
Our roles have forced us to redefine what leadership means, shedding preconceived notions that leaders must always have the answers. Instead, we’ve learned that great leaders listen, adapt, and find strength in ambiguity.
As we reflect on our journeys marked by moments of contradiction, we are reminded of an important truth: leadership is not about being right all the time; rather, it is about being real.
Our experiences amplify the message that true leaders recognize the beauty in and necessity of contradictions, harnessing the power of REAL — Relationships, Empowerment, Attitudes, and Leadership.
Together, we stand committed to embodying these values as we continue to serve our communities with grace and humility.
The only way to become a true leader is by accepting, embracing, understanding, and experiencing the contradictions that anyone willing to lead and guide a team faces in times of change, volatility, and uncertainty.
True leaders do not worry about contradictions. On the contrary, they know that these contradictions are an invaluable resource, because they can move to view the same problem from different perspectives, until they, as leaders, masterfully identify which one brings them closest to the solution.
Certainly, we all have a leadership style, a product of our personality, our culture and family values, previous experiences, and academic training.
However, we should not remain anchored in those characteristics that have shaped our individual personality. Instead, we should embrace contradiction as a wonderful opportunity to explore how far we can go, and thus understand and recognize our own reach.
In conclusion, we embrace the complexity of leadership as we navigate our paths. In the spirit of our collective experiences, we’d like to leave you with this thought: “In the heart of contradiction lies the promise of innovation; in the embrace of REAL, we find our truest selves as leaders.”
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.
