By Yin Agbontaen, GLC Facilitator since 2015
My name is Yin Agbontaen. I’m 24 and currently based in Los Angeles. I was blessed with the chance to attend The Wheeler School in Providence, RI where I found Girls Leadership Collaborative becoming an intern as my senior project. I’ve worked with GLC and thus, have been part of the GLC family for the past 6 years. I have been hands on during summer programming for the signature Leadership Development Camps at Moses Brown School and Rocky Hill Country Day School. Given how beloved a week with GLC is, I’m sure I speak for all when I say how sad it was to receive the notice that GLC will not be able to carry-on with camp per usual this summer due to COVID-19. Of course, it is for good reason, but a loss for our community, nonetheless.
What I’ve always appreciated about GLC’s mission and its staff, has the ability to pivot with a purpose. Regardless of what may have thrown us off our perfectly planned schedule, we were able to keep the big picture in the forefront and rework the plan. Isn’t that what quarantine has taught us in general? To take a step back, breathe (extra emphasis on this step), and take another look at the bigger picture. At least, this is what I’ve learned to do.
As a society, busyness is a badge of honor. Our work is busy, our social life is busy, our kids are busy, our heads are busy. Busy, busy, busy, WHEW! How weird that the more exhausted we are, the more we tend to thrive? This extended period of pause has, what I believe to be, a silver lining: the space to generate self-awareness. I have been able to take multiple steps back to reevaluate the following: what brings me joy, what brings me peace, what do I like about myself, what do I need to work on, etc. All questions that I wouldn’t normally take hours thinking about because, you guessed it, I was SO busy! But, as I get older, I recognize the importance of those questions.
Self-awareness can be easily overlooked. Moreover, many might say they know themselves well, what they like, dislike, are passionate about, and how they respond to others, etc.. I challenge you to challenge that notion. Think about taking some time to learn about yourself all over again. This constant, reflective practice is a habit I wish I had learned about as far back as middle school -or younger! This practice is worth celebrating when someone, especially girls and women. To be in touch with our inner voice and our truest self allows for more confidence, more grace, and overall better well being when we can stand tall in our own bodies, understanding who we are and how we respond to and impact the world. Start with a silly Buzzfeed quiz – I promise you’ll learn something when your quiz says you’re sourdough bread instead of baguette. Quizzes and other fun ways to practice the art of intentionally reflecting on who you are and how you show up in the world helps to create reflective habits, fosters a growth mindset, and helps us see that we have the ability to develop our capacity to lead with a strong sense of self-awareness. GLC provides girls with Gallup’s research-based Strengths-Finder & Strengths-Explorer assessments, allowing girls to share a common language and celebrate one another’s strengths, while encouraging self-awareness. I believe we can all step out of this period 10x better than we came in it, developing self-awareness so that we can change the world. Like I said, silver-lining!
Yin Agbontaen has been a facilitator at GLC for the past 6 years. Her expertise in communication, public speaking, and strengths-based leadership development have positioned her well to persue her professional career. Yin is currently a Regional Vice President for Arbonne in the Los Angeles area, was a Marketing Strategist for Lionsgate Entertainment, a global leader in film, television, and digital products in Santa Monica, CA. Yin attended the University of the South (Sawanee) and studied in Spain, graduating with a degree in Psychology in 2018.