Real Leaders Don’t Always Come In White Collars

Leadership Spokane … What is it? How would it benefit the work that I am trying to accomplish in the West Central neighborhood? What type of knowledge would I gain from the once-a-month classes? Would I fit in? Would it matter if I didn’t?

More than a year ago, I was contemplating the answers to these questions. I now believe that most of my questions arose from my fears fears of the unknown, fears of failure, fears of inadequacies, fears of not being good enough to be involved with Spokane’s “elite.”

I am not the CEO of a corporation nor an up-and-coming politician nor a business owner, nor do I hold a 9-to-5 job. When I was asked, “What do you do for a living?” I used to stumble over my words: “I’m just a mom” or “I just volunteer in my community.”

Leadership Spokane helped me change my perceptions of people I had perceived as being the “elite.” I have come to respect these individuals and to like them although their struggles in life are different from my own. I have had the distinct pleasure of watching my classmates grow as well, seeing the light bulbs flash as their own perceptions have changed. When you take away the day-to-day barriers, you realize we are all human, just trying to get by.

Leadership Spokane helped me put aside issues of ethnic, financial, religious and demographic differences to come together for the good of Spokane. It brought together the positive aspects of the very myths that seem to tear us apart.

As I stand proudly on Friday with the Leadership Spokane graduating class of 1996, I will look my husband of 12 years, my six children, my community and the city of Spokane in the eye as if to say: Look out world - here I come! As I continue to raise productive citizens for tomorrow, maintain my enthusiastic endeavors for my community and represent my classmates for three years on Leadership Spokane’s board of directors, I no longer will be just anyone.

I am Lisa Samuels, wife, mother, community activist and Leadership Spokane graduate. One year older than when I began - and 50 years wiser.

MEMO: “Your turn” is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a “Your turn” column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write “Your turn,” The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210-1615.