We each walk our own unique life path, as specific to each individual as our own fingerprints. The events that shape our lives are transformative in how they impact us, our choices, and our futures. From happy times, to loss or illness, these experiences weave their narrative in our journey, nudging (or sometimes pushing?) us further on our way.

The Global Leadership League wants to be part of your journey. We are providing a platform  for global educators to explore and shape the field through open dialogue and skills advancement. As part of this, we have selected the word TRANSFORMATIVE for our 2020-2021 theme. We believe this word represents, and offers, the opportunity for exploration and inquiry into not only our own transformative experiences and impacts, but those also of our families, organizations, communities, and beyond.

Change is a key element for a transformative experience.  Change can mean different things for different people. We recently asked our League volunteers to describe what the word Transformative means to them. From personal struggles to professional insights for the Global Education industry, our volunteers had plenty to share about their own transformative experiences and what it means for them.

For many it was about personal growth:

“Learning to let go of the way things were, strengthen, and embrace new ways of thinking and being.”

“Using the opportunity to reflect during this time of stillness and non-movement to transform my life from a career and social life I once had in to one that suits me the best.”

“Changing and developing my body and mindset and giving up some habits that don't serve me anymore. In international education it means changing and adapting to the world changes/impacts of COVID.”

“I am constantly seeking new learning opportunities, stretching my comfort zone, and knowing when to slow down and take a break because we are in the middle of a pandemic! I am leaning into transformation, both by spreading my wings and deepening my roots. And I am learning constantly, and listening, and paying attention.”

Unsurprisingly, as well our professional experiences carry a large amount of transformative energy, both in what has spurred us to be where we are and in what drives us moving forward. Our volunteers shared about their professional thoughts:

“Taking what COVID has thrown at us and using it to transform ourselves, our view of our work, our networks, and our professional outlooks into new, innovative, and previously unthought of directions.”

“Having the courage to step outside my comfort zone and grow/learn within my role and outside of my role to be a more well-rounded professional.”

“Transformative has been about moving into a new realm of work, the focus has shifted in terms of service provided and product students can engage with. We've had to adapt and get creative really quickly to transform what we offer. Interestingly, a lot of our transformation has been in areas we've considered before but not had the time or space to really focus on, so now we've had to look at the needed change and move that forward rapidly through new vision and inspiration.”

And, we loved the focus of community in our volunteer’s thoughts:

“Transformative means seizing opportunities to grow and supporting others in seizing their opportunities. It also means doing the emotional and psychological work to make positive meaning out of the many ways our lives have and are changing. Finally, it means supporting those who are suffering from effects of the events of 2020 and from past happenings to keep building the Beloved Community.”

We are excited to see what opportunities and exchanges will occur in our continued dialogue about our annual theme word Transformative. Stay tuned for the follow-up portions to our Transformative blog series, and we invite all to join in the conversation with us.

The mission of the Global Leadership League is to ignite change across the global education field by empowering, connecting, and training leaders. We invite you to reach out to us here or learn more about becoming a member.