During the two days of Laidlaw Leadership Development training, I engaged in a wide range of activities and workshops designed to strengthen my character as I prepare to work alongside Urban Rivers Chicago this summer for my Leadership in Action (LiA) project. The sessions, led by Graeme Taylor from Centred Coaching, alongside insightful talks from Dr. Nikki Rutter on “Voluntourism vs. Volunteering” and Dr. Bruce Malamud on “Communicating Resilience to Hazards,” collectively highlighted the importance of grounding leadership in strong ethical principles and intentional character development. A key takeaway from the training was that meaningful impact is not simply about action, but about the values and mindset that underpin it.

The two days of leadership training reinforced several preconceptions I already held about entering and working within a new community, while also challenging me to think more critically about my role within it. Reflecting on my personal values and the principles that guide me encouraged a deeper consideration of the kind of impact I hope to have on others. I found it particularly valuable to situate my own beliefs within the Laidlaw framework of values, as it provided a structured way to understand how my motivations align with broader leadership ideals.

One of the most influential exercises we undertook was the ‘Wheel of Life’ activity with Graeme. Creating a visual representation of my preparedness for the upcoming LiA allowed me to clearly identify imbalances across different areas of my development. Seeing where the ‘wheel’ was uneven helped me recognise specific gaps in my readiness, whether practical, emotional, or intellectual, and highlighted where I need to focus more attention moving forward. This exercise was especially impactful because it translated abstract self-reflection into something tangible and actionable.

As I approach my LiA, I feel better equipped to balance both the broader perspective and the smaller, practical steps required for meaningful engagement. I am more conscious of how my past experiences can inform the way I contribute, while also recognising the importance of adaptability, humility, and continuous reflection. This training has not only prepared me to serve more effectively, but has also shaped how I think about leadership as an ongoing, reflective process rather than a fixed set of skills