If you want to understand something, you first need to accept the fact of your own ignorance.

Jennifer Finney Boylan
If you want to understand something, you first need to accept the fact of your own ignorance.
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The Power of Others' Stories: Jennifer Finney Boylan 

As we wrap up our 2024 Global Scholars Conferences, we reflect on the leadership lessons provided by Jennifer Boylan, author of 18 books, a Trustee of PEN America, and the Anna Quindlen Writer in Residence at Barnard College of Columbia University. Last Saturday, scholars at the North American conference at Barnard College and Columbia University had the privilege of hearing Boylan's insights into leadership, narrative, and the importance of mentors during her keynote at Saturday's gala dinner. Boylan's words reflect the importance of being self-aware and learning from others with lived experiences: 

Jennifer Finney Boylan: “If you want to understand something, you first need to accept the fact of your own ignorance. And then, you need to talk to people who know more than you do, people who have not just thought about the facts but lived them.”

Leading through Self-Acceptance and Learning from Others 

Boylan's expertise spans multiple areas: she is a bestselling author, educator and transgender activist. In 2023 she was announced the president of PEN America, the nonprofit organisation which promotes authors, readers and the right to express ideas and opinions. She is a nationally known advocate for human rights, appearing on programmes such as the Oprah Winfrey Show and the Today Show.

Her work includes 18 books including novels, short story collections and her memoir: She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders. Her memoir became the first bestseller by a transgender American and centres around love, sex, selfhood, and understanding. She’s Not There explores a different perspective from an extraordinary woman and delves into the often unnerving and uncomfortable experience of knowing and accepting ourselves, something Boylan explored in her inspirational Keynote on Saturday.  

Boylan's quote explores being self-aware about not understanding or knowing, which can often be difficult to accept. Echoing this year's conference theme of Curiosity, Boylan highlights the importance of talking and understanding others who have lived through diverse experiences and learning from them through these connections. Being curious about others and learning from them can help us grow and expand, broadening our perspectives and becoming more compassionate. 

Leadership Grounded in Embodying Different Perspectives 

Boylan's writing encompasses her growth and learning in unexpected ways. For example, her second memoir Good Boy: My Life in Seven Dogs, documents transformative moments marked by memorable dogs. These unanticipated moments often reveal the most about ourselves and her words remind us to be open to these encounters and moments of growth when we have conversations about others.

This emphasises the Laidlaw values of being #Brave and #Curious. Being brave means having the courage to accept yourself in the state you are in right now. Curiosity allows us to ask questions and be open to the perspectives and insights of others, which can often reveal more about ourselves. Boylan's words highlight that being curious is often to be brave: seeing others' perspectives can be difficult and we can find it hard to put ourselves in someone's shoes - especially if we don't agree with them. However, doing so is to learn, grow and broaden our perspectives. 

A Call to Reflect

As we celebrate the curiosity and connections that were built these past weeks at the 2024 Global Scholars Conferences and take a moment to reflect on Jennifer Boylan's insights, let us ask ourselves: are we actively taking an open approach when talking to others? How can we develop the resilience to accept ourselves and what we don't know? Accepting our weaknesses and lack of knowledge is crucial in leadership: it helps us to grow and constantly expand our perspectives. Boylan acknowledges how difficult it can be to embrace other perspectives and take an open approach. However, being curious about others and learning from them can be a transformative experience and invaluable in a plethora of ways.

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