It may have been cold, rainy, dreary, and snowy in Washington D.C. but the conversation was anything but! DEL Master of Environmental Management students from across the country and world convened in Washington D.C. earlier this month as part of the program’s signature D.C. Leadership Module. Students were challenged to learn from an all-star lineup of conservation, non-profit, political, private sector, and government leaders whose perspective might vary from their own. One DEL student may have said it best, “I learned a lot about myself on this trip – being comfortable in my discomfort.” Speakers included:
- Kenneth Feinberg, Founder, Feinberg-Rozen, LLP (mediation and dispute resolution)
DEL-MEM Students in D.C.
- Larry Selzer, President/CEO, The Conservation Fund
- Todd Wooten, Sr. Counsel for Oil & Gas, U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
- Linda Fisher, VP, Safety, Health & Environment and Chief Sustainability Officer, DuPont
- Robert Perciasepe, Deputy Administrator, U.S. EPA
- Bruce Harris, Sr. Director, Government Relations, Wal-Mart
- Lynn Thorp, National Campaigns Director, Clean Water Action
- Michael Boots, Chief of Staff, White House Council on Environmental Quality
- Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator, Alaska
Sure, people crack jokes as to whether leadership exists in DC, but we all left with some valuable takeaways after spending 90 uninterrupted minutes listening and conversing with nine different leaders. The students challenged the mentors to delve deeper into their experiences and to define leadership; I was proud of the tough questions they asked.
Post interviews, the students gathered and reflected – with a critical, yet respectful, eye – with Don Wells, DEL Leadership Advisor, as to what each student might take from this experience. For some, it required them to step outside their comfort zone and be open to differing perspectives. For many, the experience added a stepping-stone to their leadership path. And, for others, it was an opportunity like no other to have such focused time with interesting individuals.
I’ll leave you with a few notes I jotted down during each meeting – those “one-liners” that caught my attention and seemed to embody the perspective of the leader…
- We all owe it to give back to our country – it’s not all about YOU. Every person can make a difference.
- Leaders need to have passion, conviction, and a willingness to speak-up (effectively) for what you believe.
- Often, leaders need to recognize when to shut-up and listen.
- A variety of experiences – government and private sector – is a positive resume for professionals.
- Don’t become stagnant. Change things up. Swim upstream. Take risks. Make mistakes.
- Be passionate without being flamboyant.
- In order to collaborate, sometimes you need to let go of the ownership. Focus on the end goal, which is achievement of that goal.
Written by Sherri Nevius, Assistant Dean, Executive & Distance Learning Programs, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University