Happy Easter!
As the Chaplain read Matthew 28 today in church, I admit my mind wandered a bit while I sweat in the church choir robe. The Chaplain was talking about the lies and rumors that are told by people in power to be able to remain in power, much like what the Pharisees did when Jesus was crucified, and in politics today. For the past couple of weeks I have been keeping busy with a new job being the town driver and in various classes that I am teaching and/or taking, so I haven’t made the time to watch TV or listen to the news. It is always startling to hear political takes within a church sermon, especially with the separation of church and state (supposedly) within our country. But the points he made today in linking the two made a lot of sense.
Even as I rose up the corporate ladder in healthcare all the way to the C-Suite and in owning my own company, I was uncomfortable in power once someone tried to stronghold me and take over. I loved having the roles, don’t get me wrong, as I worked hard for them, and was able to collaborate with some amazing teams to try to make a difference in healthcare. I love to lead people and guide them, work with them for the betterment of a particular issue or process, but I have never been cutthroat, or one to fight for power. I realize that this has appeared “weak” in previous situations, as the typical leader is called to be the best and dominate in any industry. But, in taking classes to obtain my MS in Organizational Leadership, I am what you would call a servant based leader. My style of leadership entails working with a team to achieve objectives, and lifting others up to achieve their goals. I don’t need to “win” personally, I hope we all do. I believe in compassion, and mercy and grace. I believe that emotional intelligence is just as important as any business acumen. In my 35+ years in healthcare, my goal has been to help doctors be DOCTORS and not be bought by big healthcare corporations, for patients to get the very best in quality healthcare, and to empower people in medicine and science to create technology and solutions for the overall better health of everyone. The problem with my thought process is that in higher levels of leadership within healthcare, they expect you to be more cutthroat, business minded, dollar driven and not people focused. Healthcare after all, is a business and very reactive rather than proactive.
Prison has taught me that even within these walls, power and leadership is much like the outside world. If you are a threat at all to the status quo, you are deemed a threat and will be dealt with accordingly. This goes for inmates and prison staff alike. For inmates who are consumed by addictions of drugs and nicotine, interrupting any contraband rings is dangerous and can result in your being anything from ostracized to harmed physically. Some prisoners have such lengthy sentences, that prison IS their life. They openly admit that they will likely return and make prison their “home” Additionally, you have remedies in prison to voice your grievances and concerns, but they are met with bureaucracy and a warning of not to push things too far, or else it will affect your ability for freedom in a timely manner. Every step you take in prison should be focused on thinking of life outside of prison, and there are many rules and power dynamics that can delay your release date. It is a highly volatile and stressful environment that makes someone who isn’t “about that life” fear for their release date to be pushed back and more time away from their family and friends on the outside.
So, in listening to Matthew 28 this morning, I humbled myself. This too, shall pass, as does all things in life. Easter is a time of reflection, mercy and hope. And I pray for better days outside these prison walls, and peace for all. I hope your Easter was spent with those you love most. Every situation in life is a blessing and a lesson, so I hope this Easter offers you the same opportunity for reflection as it has for me.
