| TESTIMONIALS |
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At the 2004 conference, Adrienne Clarkson said “There are wonderful leaders
who watch where people are going and gently, insistently herd them from all
sides – even behind – rather like a good sheep dog”. This confirmed for me that
I don’t have to be a “saviour, dynamo, [or] hero” to be an effective leader. We
met leaders in communities across the Yukon, national and international leaders
as conference speakers, and leaders who were conference participants. We saw
how the main goal of effective leaders is to encourage leadership in others, and
how they ask questions, challenge assumptions, and have their own assumptions
challenged. Exactly how the conference was modeled. This is an experience like
no other, and I know it has made me a better Canadian and a better public
servant. What an experience. Not only do you learn much about our country, its people
and diversity, you also learn a great deal about yourself. The Conference
creates an environment of learning about different perspectives, challenging
long held assumptions and exposing you to an array of new and sometimes
provocative opinions. Best of all, you travel and meet amazing people whose
stories reach you in ways you never before imagined. Participating is a must
and one you'll always remember. The Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference provides a phenomenal
opportunity to grow as a leader. It's about learning to engage other leaders
from diverse backgrounds. It's about developing a long term network of leaders
who are partners in making Canada a better country. It's about understanding
yourself as a leader, and coming to appreciate how working together generates
better solutions that can really make a difference. This conference was simply
the best "real world" leadership development experience I've had. Having attended many "high impact" learning events during the course of my
career, I wondered before applying whether this one would add anything I hadn't
already seen. Am I ever glad I attended. I'm not sure I have ever seen such a
broad collection of national and world-class talent all brought together for a
learning event of this magnitude. The speakers alone were more impressive than
any conference I've ever attended. Learning from current and future leaders
from private sector, NGO, labour and other governments is something that I will
never forget. The proof that this is truly different: I'm still in regular
contact with many Conference participants -- which just isn't the case with the
vast majority of events that I had participated in the past. The conference is
an opportunity to meet, learn from and share with people who will continue to
shape many aspects of Canada's future. I am so glad that I had the opportunity
to participate. In 1995, I spent a couple of weeks bouncing around western Quebec in a school
bus full of 40-year-olds. My boss told me to go and I wasn't exactly happy about
it at first. I thought it would be a waste of time. I was dead wrong. I had
spent my entire career in the oil business - working with people who pretty much
saw the world as I did. The conference tour was a wake-up call. The other people
on the bus were definitely not business people. They had completely different
perspectives on life than I did. I have never forgotten the lessons I learned
from them - and I'm sure they haven't forgotten me! Those who benefit most from the experience are those who can
free themselves from positional debate for a couple of weeks, in order to
explore and hopefully understand the interests of others. While my core
principles did not change, my approach to people on the ‘other side of the
table’ certainly has. I think I work far more efficiently as a result. This leadership conference will change you. Firstly, it really is a "once in a lifetime experience". You will meet incredibly diverse and interesting people from all walks of life, each with something valuable to contribute to your personal growth. Your preconceived ideas about others will forever be changed and you will be inspired to make a difference. Second, there is an immeasurable "take home value". You will learn what it means to be a real leader, to listen before talking, to learn from those you previously thought don’t have anything to teach you, to understand instead of trying to convince, to respectfully agree to disagree. In short, you will be proud to be Canadian. The Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference gave me an opportunity
to see other parts of the country which I knew little about and in doing so I
was able to identify with those people and places on both aspects of the
conference theme – leadership and diversity. It was a program for me to was one
of character building which led to an increased respect of others and a better
understanding of the many cultures which make up Canada. Diversity in life and
in work stems from our own communities and it is through this diversity that
leaders are willing and able rise up to stem the social challenges facing us all
– and that is what I saw most during the tour of Southwestern Ontario and which
has made an impact on both my personal and professional life. The 2004 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference was a truly
vision-altering experience. The exposure to the various opinions, ideals and
visions at all levels of business, government and communities was worth every
moment. It was really wonderful to see our country, both the good and the bad,
through the eyes of participants who were there to enhance their leadership
skills to help move their organizations and this country forward. My
leadership style has been positively affected for life! This was undoubtedly the most challenging two weeks of my life. I’m not sure
any seminar, leadership course, book or employment situation would have given
rise to the kinds of insights and revelations inspired by the Conference.
Because the Conference requires perpetual action on the part of its chosen
participants and tests your every limit, your effectiveness as a leader bubbles
to the surface and you are soon forced to face what works and what doesn’t about
your personal style. I can pull those two weeks out of a lifetime of experience
as a lesson on who I am, how I co-exist with others, how I affect others and how
others affect me. It was powerful enough to drive me to make effective changes
to my leadership style. There is a beauty in the ties that bind us as Canadians
regardless of region and connecting with the humanity and with the common
struggle through this Conference only increased my patriotism and love for this
country. This experience will be well worth it for anyone fortunate enough to
attend. My most striking insight, arose out of the deliberate structuring of the tour groups to include leaders from all groups represented at the conference, e.g.: business, labour, government and NGO's. It seemed to me, that our initial assumptions about each other, primarily derived from our group affiliations, spoke so powerfully that we weren't able to communicate with each other, even though, we all spoke the same language, and practiced all the same rules for effective communication and social interaction. It took time together and shared experiences, to develop the requisite level of relatedness and trust, that allowed us to really hear and understand each other, from which collaboration sprang. Having discovered it in our personal interactions within the group, it became obvious everywhere, and is something I remind myself of, and tend to, to this day. Finally, to quote a passage from T.E. Lawrence: "Those
who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind wake in the day to find
it all was vanity, but the dreamers of the day, are dangerous men, for they may
act their dream with open eyes and make it possible". We were truly
fortunate in our tour. We got a chance to experience first hand, leaders in a
variety of contexts: business, industry, arts, social services, education,
technology, government, etc., who were acting on their dreams; bold dreams, that
had clearly taken hold in their hearts and their very being, and from which,
sprung the commitment, energy and the action their pursuit required. It was a
common attribute, strikingly evident in all, that is best experienced, not read
about. I came away both impressed and inspired, and still find it so today. I
also came away feeling very good about our future as Canadians, for it was
clearly evident from the people we met in the tours and indeed the 225
people who participated in the conference, that we have no shortage of such
people who are acting on their dreams. In other words, our leaders are many,
and everywhere! Every once in a while lightning strikes and we are able to shed our armor of
pre-conceived ideas, values and perceptions and hang it out to blow in different
winds. Usually we find the clothes don’t fit quite the same way anymore
afterwards. Witnessing and confronting other styles of leadership created
greater understanding and depth of my own. I learned that the higher we aim and
the firmer the commitment, the greater the outcome. The Governor-General’s
Leadership Conference was unforgettable and broadened the way I see myself,
Canada and the world. The Study Conference is a unique opportunity to
enhance knowledge and understanding of Canada and Canadians. For me, the
increased appreciation of Canada gained through the study tour and Conference
was merely the first (but profound) benefit. I have made lasting friendships and
contacts across all regions and sectors that continue to enrich me personally
and professionally. The 2000 Governor General's Canadian Study
Conference was an exhausting but positive life changing experience that provided
me with a finer appreciation of the issues facing this country, a better
understanding of the social, economic and political concerns of the region that
my group toured (NB and PEI) and an increased knowledge of how a bilingual and
multicultural federation like Canada can live peacefully. It was absolutely fascinating to share views with people of diverse
backgrounds and perspectives on the important issue of communities and the role
of leadership. We enjoyed many vigorous debates, often until very late, and
although I'm quite sure nobody turned 180 degrees, there was an encouraging
willingness to find common ground. I was impressed with the passion that people
brought to the conference. The Conference has had a significant positive impact
on both my personal and professional life. It was a life-changing experience. The knowledge that I have gained from the
Conference has impacted the way I perceive things and the way I work. It is an
experience that you can't find in other conferences or development
opportunities. After having three years to reflect on my experiences during the 2000
Governor General Canadian Study Conference, I can say that I truly have a
broader appreciation for Canada and the issues we face as Canadians. Although I
learned more about Nova Scotia, I also learned more about myself and my
capabilities with the help of my fellow colleagues on the tour. They helped me
realize my potential and this has given me more confidence to continue working
in my chosen field of bridging cultures through community development. In fact,
I have since started my own consulting company, and attribute that decision to
the experience gained during the conference. The Conference allowed me to live an experience unique in this country, in
which all of my assumptions were put to the test. It was an unequalled
opportunity to explore areas of public interest and to exchange ideas with
people from completely different fields of knowledge. I went to get shaken. You have to be able to be influenced. You have to be a
very, very open-minded person. I learned that there are a lot of shades of grey
- nothing is black and white. Participating in the Governor General's Canadian Study Conference was a
unique experience. Being a member of a study group with such diverse interests
while exploring a broad range of culture, social and economic issues has played
a significant role in my business career as one takes on challenges to enhance
value for our owners, the industry in which we participate and the community at
large and hopefully in a small way for this great country of ours.
In our business we believe that behaviors are influenced by people's
mindsets which in turn are influenced by values and experiences. I can tell
you unequivocally that my participation in the 2004 GG Leadership conference
became an experience which altered my own mindset about important issues in
our country. Whether it was experiencing a different meaning of the word
community while walking through Vancouver's eastside or discovering the
history, the complexities and real issues facing First Nations which
motivate their profound perspective around self-government. As I was
"living" these and many other memorable moments with a great group of very
diverse and passionate fellow conference attendees, I thought that our
country would be a better place if every Canadian did this!! I was one of
the lucky ones. It's up to me now ! The GG Conference was, for me, one of those life changing events. Not only
did I gain a greater appreciation of the different segments of our society;
i.e.., poor, illiterate, sick, union, business, social services, but I gained a
much larger and greater appreciation of myself and the larger country I am a
part of, live in and influence. I came to both understand and appreciate that I
had the potential to influence, shape and support a greater sphere of this land
we call home, Canada. The GG Conference continues to shape my leadership
decisions and influence my life and for this I remain indebted to those who
provide me with an opportunity to participate. I found my experience on the 2000 Canadian Governor
General’s study tour to be an exceptional opportunity. To this day, I still
refer to my experience as a unique learning opportunity. It was a privilege to
be chosen and exposed to a variety of individuals from varying backgrounds. I
learned more about my country, about myself and how I could improve my
leadership ability. The Conference allowed me to grow both professionally and
personally. It is an experience not to be missed. I had heard (from an alumnus) that the Conference was nothing less than a life-changing experience. And I must say it changed my vision of the world. The shock was intense. In the months following the Conference I could see that my perception of society had undergone real change for the better. It helped me view the world we live in more reflectively and more fully. In concrete terms, the Conference gave me the
idea for an ambitious project, along with the energy and confidence I needed to
carry it out. After two years of work, I recently announced the launch of
Business Volunteers, a body providing for business people to mesh with
non-profit organizations in Quebec. The main partners of Business Volunteers are
Centraide of Greater Montreal and the Montreal Board of Trade. The Conference is a valued experience for emerging leaders from the labour
movement. The networking opportunity is exceptional. The Conference broadens
each member’s horizon and creates unique situations where people from totally
different backgrounds can put their preconceptions away and exchange ideas in an
atmosphere of open debate and discovery. |
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