RGLP Recap: Understanding Identity with Dottie Morris

This is a session recap of the Rockefeller Global Leadership Program (RGLP) from a participant's perspective.

Dottie Morris explains the relationship between personal confidence and interpersonal relations. Photo by Philip Son '16.

In a highly impactful discussion, Dottie Morris explored the delicate relationship between intra-personal confidence and inter-personal relations. She explained that we need to understand our identities to be stable as individuals. She summarized, “we are not just our gender. We are not just our race. We are not just our socioeconomic class. We are not just our hopes and fears. We are all that and much more.”

RGLP participants participate in activities to explore their identity and how this might affect their relationships with others. Photo by Philip Son '16.

To continue the discussion of identity, Morris delved deep into this intersection of background, character and aspirations, challenging all to look inwards. She demonstrated for us the groundwork for strong leadership comes from this inner stability. At the heart of a good leader is a facilitator of innovation. A leader need not voice the most influential ideas, but needs to ensure that all ideas be given their due attention.