An Emerging Leaders Toolkit: Carissa’s Leadership Survival Guide
Happy New Year! If you are new here, my name is Carissa Waugh - my Northern Tutchone name is Eke Ewe meaning “Caribou Hoof Noise.” My parents are Charlene and Charles Waugh, my grandparents are the late Lin and Al Waugh. I am an ambassador for the Reconnection Vision - which I have been a part of since the beginning of 2021.
I’ve been stepping into more leadership roles these past few years, and one of the things that really helped me step into these roles has been my mentors. Now that I am aging out of being a youth, I want to help our younger youth and I want to do it in a good way. One of the ways I know how to do this is speaking my truth and talking about my experiences. Take this all with a grain of salt, this is from my own personal experience and I am in no way claiming to be an expert.
If you asked me five years ago if I saw myself in a leadership role or if I’d be comfortable speaking in front of large crowds, I would laugh and then get really worried. If I had known what I know now (Cue “Ooh la la” by Faces) I probably wouldn’t be as scared or timid. I’d like to think that I’d be more confident, and leave imposter syndrome* behind much sooner.
*Imposter syndrome: it’s a physiological pattern where individuals doubt their skills and accomplishments WE DON’T KNOW HER!
There have been a lot of spaces where I was invited to, but didn’t feel like I was supposed to be there. But I was.
And I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, there are so many other youth out there that feel the exact same way. I’ve met some incredibly smart youth that are doing so much work with their communities and governments, but then hear that they are doubting themselves.
Why are we feeling this way?
WE belong in these spaces and WE deserve to have OUR voiceS heard.
The world is literally our oyster, there are so many new people out there and so many new experiences, we just have to be willing to step out of our comfort zones.
You’ll be stepping into these new spaces with new faces, you’ll be traveling far from home and most likely be one of the very few that are from the north. It can be lonely work, especially at the end of the day when you go back to your empty hotel room while receiving texts and photos from friends back home.
You’ll have to learn how to get comfortable in these situations, either by making new friends at these conferences/meetings you are attending or by being okay with doing things by yourself. I’ve eaten at restaurants by myself, gone to movies, malls, and community events by myself. I am so introverted so this wasn’t easy, heck it still isn’t easy but I am doing it.
Thinking back on everything I did, it all had to do with connections and relationship building. It’s so important to get out there in your community - just find what interests you and you will find more and more like-minded people. Go to potlatches and help out - I’ve heard this quote and it’s stuck with me since:
”Good leaders do the dishes.”
What does that mean to you? To me, it means being there and doing the work even when it’s behind the scenes and nobody can see you. It’s not all glamorous, but it is important work that needs to be done while not always getting the recognition.
I definitely don’t have the answers for everything, I am always learning. Some learning experiences suck, especially in the moment, but it’s important to take those feelings you have and the lessons you’ve learned, and use it to be better. Here are a few things I have learned that work for me.
Some tips I have for new and Emerging leaders:
Apply!
Even if you don’t think you fully qualify, you never know.
Always be open to learning.
Listen to those around you. Youth, Elders, storytellers (our traditional stories have so many lessons in them, you just need to pay attention).
We are never done learning.
You deserve to be paid good money!
Your knowledge and experiences are being extracted, and it’s worth asking for good pay.
Be humble.
There are people who have never left their own community/town/territory.
We are doing this work and getting into these spaces, but there are also those back home who might have more knowledge or passion than you in that certain space, but they couldn’t make it due to barriers that you’ve never faced.
Download apps.
Collect all the points you can on apps such as Air Canada, some hotels will have them too!
I use the Calm App for sleep stories, cello music and sleep meditations. It’s helped a lot when I am tossing and turning in the hotel bed.
Take time for yourself.
Once you are done for the day and have no more obligations, check out what is going on around you! I’ve been to concerts like Shaggy in Halifax and Kendrik Lamar in Rwanda!
Eat the local food, go to an art museum, maybe even get in a little shopping!
I am really interested in making a document with some resources for Youth getting into leadership roles, so if you have any tips or even questions, please reach out to me! We need more transparency and support for you, emerging leader. 💪🏽🔥
My email address is carissa@reconnection.vision please do not hesitate to reach out.
