My understanding of leadership has undergone a significant transformation throughout my journey in life: Initially influenced by conventional notions of success and achievement, my early view of leadership was narrowly focused on positional authority and the pursuit of personal accolades; However, this perspective began to shift as I embarked on my academic and personal exploration at the University of Washington… particularly through my transition from aspiring for a career in law to embracing my true passion for music education.
This evolution was marked by several pivotal realizations. First, the discovery of my innermost aspiration to become a teacher illuminated the altruistic core of my leadership beliefs. I recognized that true leadership is not about what position one holds or title one has, but it is about serving and uplifting others. The encouragement I received to pursue teaching (despite initial reservations about financial success) underscored the value of following one’s passion and the profound impact a leader can have through genuine engagement and dedication to their calling. Moreover, my involvement in various organizations and communities—particularly within the realm of music education—has enriched my understanding of leadership as a dynamic and collaborative process. Leading with a vision for positive change, fostering harmony within diverse groups, orchestrating strategic initiatives, and pioneering with pep and positivity, I have come to appreciate the multifaceted nature of leadership and its capacity to drive meaningful progress.
Through these experiences, I have also deepened my commitment to equity and inclusion. Witnessing firsthand the disparities in our education system and the transformative power of music to bridge divides has reinforced my belief in the importance of creating inclusive environments where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. In essence, my leadership philosophy is rooted in the lessons learned and the values embraced throughout my journey; it is a reflection of my dedication to serving as a change agent, a harmony maestro, a strategic orchestrator, and a pep pioneer… all while maintaining a steadfast commitment to equity, inclusion, and the unwavering belief in the potential of every individual to make a difference. As I look forward to a future of inspiring and educating the next generation, I am reminded of the power of leadership to transform lives and communities, guided by the core values that have shaped my journey thus far.
I do what I do because I deeply care about every human and their experience going through this wondrous journey called ‘life’. From the depths of my soul I desire for others to experience the gifts that love & joy have to offer. I find that in many situations I think, “If not me then who? If not now then when?” This thought places a burden on whoever dares to think it, but it is so very motivating, and leads to taking initiative and doing things that others may never muster the courage to do—If I don’t help out that person, then there’s the reality that maybe no one else will. People miss opportunities when it knocks on their door... because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like hard work. With the belief that I need to be the one to ‘step-up’ and provide my efforts, it’s vital to also have a clear vision for the desired outcome. Vision and empathy are the values that drive me with the notion that “The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life”. Hurt people tend to hurt people, and because I have been hurt in life, I understand what people are going through. I seek to break that chain of trauma and make a difference. There is a little story that I resonate with and it goes as such:
***One day a man was walking along the beach, when he noticed a boy hurriedly picking up and gently throwing things into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “Young man, what are you doing?”
The boy replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die.”
The man laughed to himself and said, “Don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make any difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf.
Then, smiling at the man, he said, ‘I made a difference to that one.”***
There are the two most important days in one’s life: The first being the day you were born. The second being the day you figured out why! My ‘why’ is to be there for others all the days of my life.
I find that in many situations I think, “If not me then who? If not now then when?” This thought places a burden on whoever dares to think it, but it is so very motivating, and leads to taking initiative and doing things that others may never muster the courage to do—If I don’t help out that person, then there’s the reality that maybe no one else will. People miss opportunities when it knocks on their door... because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like hard work. With the belief that I need to be the one to ‘step-up’ and provide my efforts, it’s vital to also have a clear vision for the desired outcome. Vision and empathy are the values that drive me with the notion that “The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life”
Seeking growth in all aspects of life is an overarching goal that motivates many of my actions. Whether that be growing an inclusive & loving community that supports all its members, or helping others with growing their skills to be able to make a difference in their lives and the world around them… growth is vitally important for all societies. If growth is not happening, it is usually because there is what I called a ‘hamster wheel’ (where it feels like you’re running in place with no end in sight). I find that many times, people are getting the same undesired results over and over again but are doing the same things. If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got; Change is important—nothing changes if nothing changes. If one is stuck in life, then they are most likely in the ‘comfort zone’ and need to expand the walls of the ‘box’… they need to step out into the realm of vulnerability, the place where the greatest growth occurs! In my life, there were many gracious humans who mentored me, granted me wisdom, presented me unforgettable experiences, and guided me towards fruitful directions… a favor I earnestly plan on returning forward to everyone that would benefit.
A paramount goal in my life is to get people to realize their potential… to recognize their agency and ability to come into their purpose in life. “Give a man a fish, he eats a meal. Teach a man how to fish and he’ll eat forever.” My goal is to help them find the tools necessary to do-the-work, and to use them in an efficient & impactful manner. The more wisdom-based concepts one learns in life, the more chance they will find success. You either win, or you LEARN [not ‘lose’]... the only way you lose is if you stop trying completely and give up. In fact, it’s good to lose and fail, because the only way to improve is to learn by mistakes. It’s like weight lifting, you gotta break down and ruin the muscle fibers in order to make them bigger and stronger. Don’t be afraid to fail! Failure leads to success. Practice is controlled failure, but the smart people take the lessons learned from failure. Which wolf are you feeding? The wolf of fear, or the wolf of love & courage? Whatever one you feed will grow up to either eat you, or protect you. Decisions are made in love or fear.... life happens in the moment, and the future is produced from the repercussions of current decisions. Don’t be a victim! Speak affirmations and be a champion. It’s as simple as viewing the glass as half-full instead of half-empty. The health of the mental impacts the health of the physical! The health of the mind is determined by one’s feeling of control over their own life. In whatever they do, are they the ones in control, or are they at the mercy of the other? When you pick up your phone, are you using it or is it using you? Same with playing musical instruments, snowboarding, and anything for that matter. Are you controlling it or is it controlling you? Are you in charge of your own life? Well, if you recognize that you aren’t, that’s the first step! The first step to growth and change is first being able to see & agree that there’s a problem to fix… a challenge to overcome. No matter, all that I can do in life is seek to take my ‘best’ and to seek to continually make it better. Courage + Dream = SUCCESS!!!
I approach my ‘why’ by seeking to be empathetic & understanding with all that I do—by not just hearing others out, but by listening and taking to heart… by ‘jumping in the hole’ with them:
***“A guy was walking down the street one day and fell down an open manhole. He begins to yell for help.
A doctor walks by and upon hearing his cries, he writes out a prescription and throws it down the hole.
Of course, that didn’t help. Feeling more desperate, the man continues to yell for help. His friend hears him,
runs over, and jumps into the hole. Staring at his friend, the man says, “Why did you jump down here with me?
Now neither one of us can get out!” The friend puts his arm around the man and says…
“I’m in this with you. I’ve been here before, and I know the way out.’”***
I also approach my ‘why’ by working diligently even when no one is looking. Essentially, it’s the shopping cart theory: the idea posing the question of whether or not people will put away the cart even though they aren’t required to and with no formal backlash. Even if no one is looking, or even if they are, that doesn’t matter; what matters is the attention to detail and care given with every task at hand. It means walking two miles with someone though they only asked me to go a mile with them. It means giving them my outfit when they only asked for my coat. It means doing twice the work as what was asked and required… because that leads to drastic positive change in each and every scenario. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a path I follow, where I seek to lead people towards a life of self-actualization. All it takes is focusing on climbing up the pyramid one level at a time.
At the end of the day, the product is me: my unshaken faith, my high standards, my leadership-oriented values, my unceasing loyalty, my undying work ethic & attention to detail, my never ending patience, my love for others, and my unrelenting hunger for continual learning & lifelong growth. I am a change-agent; I notice the details and see where things need to be done differently in order for overarching improvement. I never quit; I never give up. I see everything through to the end, then I look further to find the next beginning. There is a story that resonates with me and my ‘product’, and it goes as such:
***“Three bricklayers are working side by side at a building site, each doing the same job of laying bricks.
A passerby sees them working and, curious about their work, decides to ask each one what they are doing.
When asked, the first bricklayer responds, "I am laying bricks."
This response reflects a straightforward and narrow view of the task,
focusing on the immediate action without any broader context or purpose.
The second bricklayer, when posed the same question, says, "I am building a wall."
This answer shows a slightly broader perspective,
indicating an understanding of how his work fits into a larger structure but still limited to the physical outcome of his labor.
Finally, the third bricklayer, when asked what he is doing, replies with a gleam in his eye, "I am building a cathedral."
Unlike the first two, this bricklayer sees beyond the physical task of laying bricks and the construction of a wall.
He understands and takes pride in the significance of his work as part of a grander vision,
contributing to something enduring and majestic.”***
The moral of the story is about the importance of perspective in our work and lives. It teaches that finding a deeper sense of purpose in our actions can transform mundane tasks into meaningful contributions. I will always seek to be the third bricklayer… I will always lead with positivity, optimism, and charisma. My vision will continue with clarity as I build the cathedral of life.
As I continue to move through life, I hope to continue to learn, to grow, and to love others unconditionally. I envision engaging in leadership through being the best possible educator I can be—inspiring the next generation to live a life worth living. As the future draws near each and every day, I must continue to stay strong and share truth & joy everywhere that I go.