This blog is authored by one of our Fellows, Priya D. Saxena (class of 2019), and a member of our Board of Governors.
Last week, several Jackson Fellows and I had the opportunity to discuss Senator Jackson’s leadership values and what they mean to us with local future leaders.
Jackson Fellows sat down with undergraduate and graduate-level students at the University of Washington’s Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. We spoke candidly about how we maintain the Jackson leadership values in our personal and professional lives, how we work through goal setting and failure, and what it’s like to be a young professional building a career in the Pacific Northwest. Most importantly, we talked about how leadership looks different for each and every one of us—there is no single way to be a good leader. We shared the importance of using our strengths and making sure that we base our leadership practices in strong values. Jackson School students expressed eagerness to learn more about the Senator’s legacy, and the Foundation is excited to build a stronger relationship with the School and its students.
The next day I met with this year’s Leadership Tomorrow class at their Leadership Lab, an event sponsored by the Foundation. I provided a welcome from the Foundation and shared that leadership is not just what you do but also how you do your work. Furthermore, when we think deeply, connect, and reflect on the values that build the foundation of our regular practices – we become stronger leaders. I encouraged the participants to read about Senator Jackson (they all received The Nature of Leadership books) and his leadership values, and to develop their own set of leadership values with their peers.
These types of partnerships are critical to the Jackson Foundation as we continue to tackle tough issues and foster effective leaders. By sharing Senator Jackson’s values we encourage new, emerging, and seasoned leaders to consider what drives their leadership and how they will connect to their values to build a stronger region.