Looking at traits of some admirable leaders
Recently, I answered the question, what do I admire most in a leader? I thought about the plethora of characteristics and behaviors that shone brightly within those I respect. As I glanced at my list, the variety of influencers intrigued me because each was unique to the other and the grounds for assessing each came from distinctive sentiments of honor for their contributions and lessons learned in my life. Allow me to elaborate on two that stand out.
First on my list without hesitation is my mother, Guadalupe. Growing up, I remember our humble home with modest furnishings, homemade meals with simple staples such as beans, rice, tortillas, and the always popular sopa
de fideo (Mexican noodle soup). I observed a woman who took pride in her home and handled everything with care. She was the modern-day Joanna Gaines from “Fixer Upper.” My mother was imaginative and creative. I once saw her repair a cracked wall in my bedroom with Elmer’s glue, cotton balls, all-purpose flour, and water. One moment I could see the neighbor’s house through the crack, the next it was filled.
I recall laughing at her antics and asked why she didn’t wait for my father to return. In those days, my dad traveled throughout Arizona and California to work the agricultural fields months at a time. My mother and my three siblings remained home, attended school, and anticipated his return on weekends. The idea that someone was readily available to save the day wasn’t a reality. My parents made a great team, no matter how much distance or time stood between them. So back to the spackling of the wall. My mother said to me, “Por que? Cuando yo tengo todo lo que necesito aqui.” (Why? When I have everything I need right here.) That was the day I learned about ingenuity, resourcefulness, being thrifty, and having pride in the things you have no matter how big or small, new or old. I learned that you don’t need the “perfect” circumstance or situation to raise a healthy, happy, and loving family or that you need every gadget in the toolbox to patch a wall. You need only to love your beautifully imperfect world and make it a place where bliss resides. Even today, almost 50 years later, I could see my mother’s “chicanadas” (urban dictionary, something fixed the thrifty/cheap way) around the house.
Second on my list is my mentor Helen Chacon, Tohono O’odham gaming official and tribal member. Night after night, I noticed a gaming official (Helen) hovering over a stack of books and binders working intently on a project. At the time, I was 20 years old, and my life’s direction had no clear path. It was during one of these graveyard shifts, around 3 a.m., that my curiosity got the best of me. I walked over, introduced myself formally, and asked about what she was reading. Helen said, “I’m researching training ideas for employees. We don’t have a formal program, and I’m creating a proposal. Would you like to help?”
Drum roll, please ... that day, my path into education, training, workforce development, and instructional design was paved. Like the yellow brick road Dorothy followed in the Wizard of Oz, I heeded Helen’s lead and advice. She provided me the guidance, motivation, and support to build my confidence, skills, knowledge, and ability to become a corporate trainer and eventually an organizational development manager. Helen taught me to be enthusiastic about learning and continuous development. She was always exploring trends and ways we could transform our organization to the next level. Her positive attitude and passion for knowledge rubbed off on me, and I, too, wanted to share with whomever was interested. To Helen, I say thank you for transforming my life and designing a future that I didn’t know I could ever create.
Today, I ask you, what do you admire in a leader? Whom do you admire? If you are blessed to have individuals in your life who have made an impact, call them up right now and tell them. Send them a letter of gratitude and express your sentiments. To my mother, Guadalupe, and my friend, Helen, my cup runneth over with admiration and love for all you’ve done.
Maria E. Aguirre is an associate dean for the Downtown Center Services at Arizona Western College. She can be reached at maria.aguirre@azwestern. edu.