Inclusive Leadership

Inclusive leadership, a concept that is based upon the recruitment of others into one's great vision. No man is an island; we are a collective species which requires the cooperation of others to build a better life for our community, or to work towards the goals that we set for ourselves as individuals. "Sink or swim", we do it together.

So it comes as no surprise that every leader needs followers to assist in building his/her vision. However, inclusive leadership is more than that. One cannot just encompass his/her vision with others who follow in blind faith. As one brings others into his/her vision, the vision grows; it changes, and as it should. With each participant, new variables are added to the equation; new ideas and concepts flourish. A wise leader will allow the followers to create a stake in the vision for themselves; the wise leader will allow the followers to mid-wife the vision to a concept greater than what the leader could have created on their own. Through such inclusive leadership, the vision prospers into something greater than an individual could create on his/her own, and it becomes a benefit to all of those involved.

We Are All Unique Little Flowers

Like everyone else on this planet, the universe has created me with special qualities, unique attributes, and eccentric talents. My personal talents and attributes are as special as those belonging to you, the reader. We all have strengths that can facilitate our desires to flourish.

The strengths that I possess that will assist me in building my grand plans of an international collective of students begin with my experiences. Such experiences as studying abroad, and my building of international social capital are only two amongst many.

Through my life experiences I have learned to look at the world through a clear lens; untainted by my personal subjective perspective, I assimilate knowledge without judgement, without doubt, and without fear. The ability to see opportunities where others see obstacles, I am able to continue my progression with the idealism of hope. When others say "nay", I have am instinct to say "aye". When others would give up, I only wish to push harder down my path. Through my drive and my hope, I feel that I may accomplish any lofty goal that I set for myself.

However, good intentions are not enough to find my way to the end of my path; nor is my work ethic. As said before, we are all special little snowflakes, and we all have qualities that are uniquely our own. My qualities that I am able to apply to my Blueprints vision include a personal knowledge of the cultures and communities that I wish to include in my project.

An additional quality is my ability to reach out to others and build bonds of friendship; it is my talent for networking. The project I wish to initiate will involve a great amount of human resource; resources that cross international borders, and this is something that I have already began to build.

Another of my great strengths that I believe will serve my purpose the best is my ability to inspire others. Through life, I have learned that I have a talent for influencing others; this is something that is reflected to me regularly. Such a quality is pertinent to accomplish my goal, for I shall need a great amount of others' involvement to assist me in my project, and I will need them to feel the same passion that fills my spirit. So, I shall use this innate talent to my advantage, and as a tool I will yield it to recruit others to my cause.

One may approach their goals from many angles; there are many ways to lead towards an objective. My method will be to use the people skills I have built throughout my life to inspire others to look at the world through the clear lens that I see through, and by my vision, I am confident that those included in my project will find the same hope for the future that I have.

How I Will Change the World With My Vision

To begin, my vision is to create an international student cooperative between the students of Mexico and the students of U of M Dearborn. One may think of this as an exchange program, but more. Through the involvement of service learning, and the use of modern communication technology, I foresee students creating greater bonds, learning more about each others' cultures and societies, and building greater relations between our two great nations.
To consider the possibility of not only U of M Dearborn students visiting Mexico, but also Mexican students attending U of M Dearborn, one can see a great opportunity to exchange ideas, and to share insights. The future belongs to the youth of the world; if we are to create a better future, then we need to change the vision of those who have a stake in it.
Imagine the possibility of ending cultural tensions between our two great countries. Imagine an improved relationship with our Latin American neighbors, a relationship in which we all share a greater compassion for each other. Unseen by most is that what happens in Detroit, is connected to what happens in Puebla, Guanajato, or Oaxaca. The people of Detroit see the jobs we've become accustomed to having being shipped overseas. However, we do not see the implications of what these new job markets do to the places that receive them. Unknown to the people of Detroit is that these countries that receive these jobs are also paying a price; be it cultural, environmental, or relating to social justice issue, these countries that receive the jobs that are outsourced, are also paying a price for corporate globalization.
Globalization has many implications, most of which we have only seen as negative thus far. However, globalization could pay off in the long run for humanity; it makes the world a smaller place. Globalization can bridge the gaps of our societies around the world; it can bring all of us closer together in a collective that benefits everyone within our species.
So, how will I change the world with my vision? I plan to begin bridging these gaps; I plan to begin bringing us all closer, and I plan to start this with one of our closest neighboring countries.