Roots of Impact: Growing Leadership through Service

[Audio] Roots of Impact: Growing Leadership through Service.

[Audio] My Leadership Journey Welcome to my leadership story titled Roots of Impact: Growing Leadership through Service. This presentation explores my development from grassroots beginnings in Kenya to community empowerment in Canada. My journey reveals how leadership grows through service, collaboration, and resilience. Each phase of my experience has deepened my understanding that authentic leadership is rooted in empathy, integrity, and a commitment to the greater good. I have learned that leadership is not about power or control, but about creating opportunities for others to thrive. Through this reflection, I share how my leadership continues to evolve through learning and purposeful action..

[Audio] The Beginning of My Journey My leadership journey began in childhood when I was appointed Deputy Captain of my local soccer team. This role taught me discipline, teamwork, and accountability. Through consistent effort and strong communication, I eventually rose to become Team Captain, where I learned the value of motivation and conflict resolution. These early experiences revealed that leadership is built on trust and mutual respect, not authority. They shaped my ability to bring people together toward shared goals. Soccer became more than a game; it became a lesson in resilience, adaptability, and unity the foundational skills that continue to guide my leadership approach today..

[Audio] Cultivating Leadership in Education In high school, I served as Library Captain, an experience that redefined my leadership perspective. This position required strong organizational skills and the ability to inspire peers toward collective responsibility. Managing library operations and promoting academic discipline taught me that leadership thrives when structure meets empathy. I learned how effective systems and communication can nurture learning and foster inclusivity. This experience strengthened my ability to balance order with compassion. It also introduced me to the idea that leadership in education is not about control, but about enabling others to access knowledge and succeed through shared purpose and mutual support..

[Audio] From School to Society: Leadership for Change My leadership expanded beyond the classroom when I joined a Community-Based Organization at Kenya Methodist University. As Treasurer, I helped mobilize funds and partnerships to combat climate change and support local communities. Through our teamwork, we planted over two million trees across Kenya and raised more than $8,000. Our organization was later honored with the Environmentalists of the Year Award. This experience transformed my understanding of leadership from managing small teams to driving large-scale social impact. It taught me that leadership involves vision, service, and sustainability. I realized that true leaders inspire others to act collectively for a greater purpose..

[Audio] Leadership as Service: The Canadian Experience Currently, I serve as a Community Health Care Worker in British Columbia, Canada. This role has deepened my appreciation of leadership as an act of service. Every day, I engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, offering support, empathy, and advocacy. I have learned that leadership is about listening, empowering, and responding to human needs with compassion. Working in a social service organization has taught me that meaningful change begins with understanding and inclusion. My Canadian experience continues to shape me into a leader who values cultural diversity, emotional intelligence, and collaboration in creating lasting community transformation and social justice..

[Audio] Transformational Leadership: Theoretical Foundation My leadership philosophy is guided by Transformational and Servant Leadership theories. Transformational leadership emphasizes inspiring and motivating others toward a shared vision, while servant leadership focuses on empathy, humility, and the growth of others. These approaches align with my personal experiences of leading through empowerment rather than authority. They also reflect insights from my Birkman assessment, which identifies strengths in persuasion, organization, and collaboration. These traits enable me to motivate teams and build positive environments. By integrating theory and practice, I have developed a holistic leadership model that values emotional intelligence, community service, and ethical responsibility in every endeavor..

[Audio] Insights from My Birkman Report According to my Birkman Assessment, my profile combines green and yellow traits, symbolizing communication and structure. My strengths include persuasion, enthusiasm, and organization qualities that enhance my ability to lead people and manage systems effectively. The report also revealed that I perform best in environments that value collaboration, fairness, and constructive feedback. These insights affirm my preference for working with others toward shared goals while maintaining efficiency and accountability. My Birkman results mirror my real-life experiences, showing that I am both relational and analytical. Understanding these aspects has empowered me to adapt my leadership style to diverse contexts..

[Audio] Growing the Future of Leadership As I look ahead, I envision leadership as a growing tree, with roots grounded in service and branches extending to empower others. My commitment is to evolve as a transformative servant leader who integrates empathy, justice, and innovation into every action. I aim to apply my skills from business, social service, and community engagement to promote equity and sustainability. My call to action is simple yet powerful: to lead by example, uplift others, and create systems that inspire long-term positive change. Through continuous reflection, learning, and courage, I strive to be a leader who nurtures growth wherever I serve..

[Audio] References Birkman International. (2025). Birkman Basics Report for Allan Morori. Birkman International, Inc. Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row. Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. Paulist Press. Northouse, P. G. (2022). Leadership: Theory and Practice (9th ed.). SAGE Publications..