Pre-Departure Training

This past weekend I completed my Leave for Change pre-departure training – t-23 days until departure now! It was by far the most beneficial, impactful professional development activity I have participated in.

Over the course of 2 packed days (think a 4-day program condensed into 2), we considered, discussed, and reflected on a number of issues and topics, including:

• Capacity building – you are most impactful when you teach others to do, rather than do for them (or as the saying goes… Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime)
• Conflict resolution styles – pros and cons of each, when each is most/least appropriate, how to be mindful of others’ styles (avoiders and collaborators may struggle more when in conflict with each other)
• Inter-cultural communications – your frame of reference may not be their frame of reference (what IS the size of a toonie? what is a toonie?)
• Cultural norms and values – you will offend someone, despite your best intentions (don’t assume publicly recognizing an individual colleague for a job well done is a good thing)
• Adapting to culture shock – resist the urge to isolate yourself (be kind to yourself; rest when you need to recharge, but then get back out there)
• Gender equity and inclusion – there are a lot of supporting factors that also need to addressed (setting corporate targets for a number of female employees is not effective if factors preventing women from working outside the home – women do not have family support to work, lack of alternate options for childcare – remain unaddressed)
• Engaging youth – provide meaningful, engaging and safe spaces for youth to contribute (youth input should be respected and used to drive outcomes)
• Safety and security – what to do if you lose your passport, become ill and don’t speak the primary language, experience sexual harassment (also relevant here at home!), experience a kidnapping or terrorism event (your safety is your top priority; there is a team “on the ground” to provide support, never hesitate to contact them)

Overall this was an amazing, inspiring, exhausting weekend where I made new friends and left feeling ready for my mandate in Sri Lanka!