Traveling to Calabar, Nigeria has already changed my life, and I haven’t even left yet.

As I make final travel preparations for my journey in less than two weeks, I am amazed by how life altering it is to be granted the opportunity to participate in the work that is most meaningful to me.

It has been my dream to work with emerging leaders internationally, so I was thrilled to be offered the chance to travel to Nigeria to support the Integral Leadership Initiative called Leading from Within. This three year program is designed to build the quality of leadership needed to address the complex issues Nigeria faces by working with emerging NGO leaders – from within the country, and from within the wisdom of these individuals. For more information on the scope of Leading From Within, please see http://www.onesky.ca/projects/detail/leading_from_within/.

One element of this project is for each participant to work collaboratively with an Integral Coach® who will support him or her in developing the specific capacities they seek to become more effective leaders. James Baye is the lead coach who will be working with each participant to create a customized coaching program based on each person’s unique goals. I will be assisting James throughout this process, which will undoubtedly be extremely intense and rewarding.

As the time to leave draws nearer, it’s starting to feel more real, more a part of me. A couple of months back when I was first invited, I knew immediately that I wanted to go, because this is precisely the kind of opportunity to learn and to contribute that I have been working towards. I studied applied economics in college because I wanted to work in international development, yet found its focus too limited to the exterior, quantitative, material methods. Since then I have been studying and applying how to authentically generate development within individuals and cultures. This project integrates and goes beyond both of these views on developing sustainability. It includes both the conventional methods of working with economic security and environmental sustainability, as well as the interior elements of personal empowerment and social change.

Thus, this trip feels like a full circle that includes so much of what is most meaningful to me. I am most inspired by the ripple effects of Integral Coaching, as well as the depth of personal connections. I am so excited to simply experience and learn from the lives and stories of the participants, as well as from James’ skill and wisdom as a coach. I am happy to share this experience with you through this blog. Although electricity and internet aren't guaranteed, I'm going to try to post as frequently as possible so that I can share my personal experience and offer what I am learning about applying Integral Coaching in this international context. I really look forward to your feedback and to feel connected as I'm so far away!