Being in a leadership position in prison is like walking on a balance beam. You have just enough space to do the right thing at the right time. That’s it. You must work hard and find a good sense of balance to succeed.
Inmate leaders are necessary because we keep the momentum of positive change going, and we keep relatively calm in the midst of unexpected changes. We are looked to for our experience in situations and called on to explain the whys and wherefores of incarcerated life to those who are struggling with acceptance. We are expected to set a good example and be role models 24/7. We can’t just talk the talk, we have to walk the walk — or balance beam, so to speak.
Balance really comes into play because conformity in prison is of paramount importance. Taking our steps carefully, we are leaders in our little community; nevertheless, we are reminded that at the end of the day (literally, midnight count time) we are just another inmate. Those who get caught up in the euphoria of perceived power inevitably fall hard. Thud! It takes even more effort plus humility and determination to get back on the beam and start over, not necessarily from where you fell, but back a few steps. My journey to becoming a leader has included many years of work, some sweat and tears, and a couple of epic falls to finally learn how to maintain the right balance.
I accept, am proud of, and am challenged by my role. I’ve earned a level of respect and trust from the staff that lets me know I’m serving my time productively and living my life the right way. Although occasionally, it can become overwhelming and exhausting. That’s why I’m so grateful for the Global Leadership Summit (GLS), which I was privileged to attend in early August. It gave me a chance to take a deep breath, exhale slowly and learn from proven leaders in America. The two-day event was held in Chicago, but the Ohio Reformatory for Women was a “host site” for an internet live feed. For the second year in a row, I was one of 50 inmates who attended the summit through the magic of technology.
The GLS is more than just a leadership conference. It’s the tipping point for changing people’s lives. It’s God, business principles, team building, faith, hope, communication and relationships all rolled into one incredible, well, summit! The speakers are authors, pastors, CEOs, professors, artists, comedians and, this year, even a basketball coach (more about him in a minute).
They share their vision and approach to leadership in its many forms with the goal of inspiring and helping people recognize their potential. They acknowledge God as the center of their lives, giving them everything they need, and freely admit it is Him working through them. The summit kicks off with a prayer of thanksgiving by GLNetwork president David Ashcraft. It’s amazing and brave, especially considering how contrary it is to what I see on the news every night.
Attendance in the Chicago auditorium is about 7,000 people. Additionally, the internet connects the summit to 110 other countries where it’s translated into 55 languages. It’s shown in thousands of host sites: business conference rooms, colleges, prisons, shelters and churches. It truly is an event and blessing of global proportions.
My favorite speaker this year was Mike Krzyzewski, aka Coach K. He is the former Duke University and Team USA Olympic men’s basketball coach. Retired from coaching, he is now a professor of the practice of leadership at Duke, where he mixes in plenty of basketball stories to drive his point to the net (pun intended).
During his 30-minute talk, Coach K shared his 4 A’s of Leadership: Adaptability, Accountability, Attitude and Agility. All these “A’s” are intended for use in business and life in society, yet I continually drew parallels to life in prison. His Adaptability lesson was profound for me. When he was a coach at Duke, every year he got older, but the kids he was coaching were always 18-22. They stayed the same age throughout his 42 seasons of college ball, but he didn’t! He had to develop communication skills that enabled him to relate to his perpetually young team.
When I arrived at ORW’s gates, I’d just turned 24; now I’m 54, and there are still 19-25-year-olds arriving every day. I have no children, so I’ve missed a generation. Therefore, I apply his Adaptability lesson in order to understand the lingo and mindset of these girls whose guards are up, phones are gone, and lives are wrecked.
Combining Accountability and Attitude, Coach K told us good leaders implement standards and values more so than strict rules because the team functions better. I live in a peer-driven programming unit that means we have a responsibility to hold each other accountable. We do have over 100 rules in our unit handbook, but, honestly, more emphasis is placed on standards and values. Rules are broken, to be sure, but only the rule breaker gets punished. Standards and values hold a bit stronger because “standard slackers” get everybody punished and we hate that. So inmate leaders encourage a strong level of integrity, respect and courage.
Attitude matters equally. We have to combine the unit requirements, our personal daily activities, past life experiences, egos, ideas and attitudes into an amalgam of positive rehabilitation. It can get a bit messy, but we succeed in the end. When I was a resident adviser, I mastered the “Teamwork makes the dream work” mantra!
Coach K was adept seeing when a play was going wrong and his team needed redirection, so he would call an audible. At the GLS, he referred to this as Agility. There is a certain amount of agility required to survive, let alone become a leader in here. I can read the room with speed and clarity, and redirect not only myself but whoever else needs it too. God gives me the discernment to call an audible, when necessary, or be really, really quiet.
I was so enlightened by Coach K’s presentation. I saw areas that need improvement as well as those where I’m confident in my leadership abilities. The entire Summit inspired me to trust that God will continue leading me as I lead others here. I also trust He’ll lead me home where I’ll be equipped to lead some more. I am ready for the challenge!
Michele Williams is an inmate at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville.