Take 5: Course Corrections

This year, International Educator is bringing back a familiar favorite—our Take 5 column—but with a fresh approach. Each month, we pose a thought-provoking prompt to five members of the NAFSA community. These international educators, who represent a diverse range of voices and perspectives, respond with their insights, recommendations, and personal reflections on the myriad themes and questions that are facing the field.

To celebrate NAFSA’s Executive Internationalization Leadership e-Institute (e-Institute)—the application process for which is currently open—this edition of Take 5 features insights from four current or past participants of the e-Institute.

What’s one mistake you made in your career that you wish you could go back and correct?

Recognize—and Celebrate—Your Strengths

I will share one mistake related to leadership development as an immigrant. I wish I had been more patient with my progress and embraced my own leadership style earlier, rather than mimicking other leaders. As a young person and new immigrant, I spent an excessive amount of energy modeling myself after others, beyond the usual learning and growing process. I felt like I was behind and was eager to become an effective leader in this new cultural and linguistic environment. Consequently, I didn’t appreciate the unique experiences and qualities of being an immigrant. Another unintended result was that I became too inwardly focused, rather than looking outward to support others as a true leader should.

—Ashley Davis, Gonzaga University

Don’t Be Afraid to Lead

Sophia Loren noted that mistakes are part of the dues one pays for having