"My tip for leadership studies and development is perseverance and active participation...Being active in classroom discussions and being open to others’ ideas not only enriches our learning, broadens our horizons, but also fosters friendship. All of these will foster our sense of belonging in our learning community."
— Linda Li, MA Leadership Mandarin program student
Linda Li immigrated to Canada from China twenty years ago. She started her family in Canada and raised her children here. She has worked as a realtor, managing broker and residential builder.
In July 2020, Linda started her studies in TWU's MA Leadership Mandarin program.
Throughout her career, Linda has been actively involved in leading many different types of community service groups. She served as President of the Richmond Chinese Community Society, a member of Early Child Care Advisory Committee of the City of Richmond, treasurer of the Sea Dragon Sea Scout Group, and a member of the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club. Currently, she is VP of Vancouver Metropolitan Lions Club, Chairperson of District 19A Lion Foundation of Canada Dog Guide program 2020-2021, board director of Chinese Federation of Commerce of Canada, board member of Easter seals B.C./Yukon and B.C. Lions Society for children with disabilities.
In the below interview, we hear from Linda Li about her leadership journey and perspectives
1. Hi Linda, what has helped you in your journey of leadership, and what are a few tips you have?
My tip for leadership studies and development is perseverance and active participation. Engagement in formal graduate level studies is really a big commitment when we have to deal with other family and social engagements on top of a full-time job. Therefore, it is extremely important to take an active approach to studies and make full use of our limited time. Applying our learning to our work and life is helpful for us to master the learning, and it also prompts us to be more engaged in our courses. Being active in classroom discussions and being open to others’ ideas not only enriches our learning, broadens our horizons, but also fosters friendship. All of these will foster our sense of belonging in our learning community.
2. Who are some of the women/men who inspire you, and why?
Mother Teresa has been the most significant inspiration for me. She had firm faith. She was humble and compassionate. She selflessly helped the less advantaged population in society. Her actions moved and inspired many to join and support the charity cause. She exemplified “life influencing life”.
3. What has been a highlight of your studies at TWU that has benefited you most in your leadership development journey?
Through leadership studies at TWU, I have been learning to apply the values and skills in my real work and life. These values and competencies include loving others as myself, and being humble and serving my employees. My departure from my previous top-down leadership approach has inspired greater team participation and contribution, and produced impressive business results.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash.