Leaders Today as Never Before

Leaders must not be tied to today's ideas and philosophy, they lead by thinking outside of the box and challenging the status quo. In the "Persons Case", Emily Murphy argued women are persons and therefore should be qualified to sit in the Senate. At the time of the case, the idea that women are considered as "persons" was radical and outrageous. There is no question that Murphy was a forward thinker of her time, she challenged and pushed forward the agenda for women's equality. Murphy's case can be deemed as the initiation of the feminist movement in Canadian politics, it changed what it means to be a woman in this country forever.

Murphy inspired many who came after her, they became revolutionaries of their own times, challenging the conventional structure and advancing social changes. Each generation of advocates have gone through the same challenges, where their ideas were deemed impossible. If Murphy were to examine today’s feminist agenda, she would surely disagree and disapprove of many aspects. To become a leader of today, we must think and do what was never done before. We may look to the past for inspiration, but we must also critically examine today to identify the barriers that halt advancement. If we do not challenge the current system and status quo, we will be stuck in the past.

Real leadership requires leaders to stand up for their ideas, despite the pressure for conformity. Leaders inspire innovation and while these ideas may be deemed ridiculous by today’s standards, real leaders are unfazed and stand by their ambition. Leadership is not easy and not everyone can be a leader, real leadership requires persistence and willingness to be challenged. The bottom line is, if one is unable to stand by their ideas under pressure, they will not be able to inspire change.

Over the provincial campaign, it was a humbling experience and I learned a lot about what it means to be a leader. While it is important to fight for our vision, it is equally important to listen and collaborate with others. Everyone experiences the world in their own way, we must acknowledge that every individual has an unique perspective and vision. When I was canvassing during the campaign, I met people from all walks of life, everyone has their own story and problems. It became clear that my job as their candidate, was to listen to my constituents and to find a balances between the needs and wants of everyone.

My role was not to rule over the people, but it is to open my heart and mind to their vision. I believe we must bring together all the innovative ideas from diverse peoples, to ensure everyone has access to equal opportunities, and to strive for a society that works for everyone. I will never accept things are “just the way they are”, because I will always challenge the status quo for the better. I am a leader of today.