Richard Yep, Managing Director of ACA
When I think about the embodiment of a true leader, I use descriptors such as inspiring, compassionate, caring, humble, willing to sacrifice, listening and putting people's wellbeing above personal gain. Before anyone assumes that it is a column that the current U.S. President has put down (though it could be likely), let me make this clear. I actually speak in relation to each of you who works in the consulting profession. You are the leaders who inspire me with your excellent day-to-day work for customers, students, families and communities.
Professional advisers are among the most important professionals when it comes to how this nation and indeed the world will get better in the future. It is no secret that we are confronted with issues such as poverty, hunger, homelessness, opioid addiction, gun violence, climate change, discrimination, and natural and man-made disasters. The work you do as a professional counselor and counselor educator can make all the difference whether we overcome things like discord, racism and the growing economic divide. I know that as a one-on-one consultant, you can't do everything, but if you add yourself to the number of colleagues around the world, we can see how the movement that provides counseling to thousands of communities can have a dynamic impact. You and your colleagues have the opportunity to make this world a little fairer, fairer and more inclusive.
I am aware that taking on such a responsibility and acting can be daunting, especially when more customers are hired, when paperwork arises, which is often only done after work, or when you get one Consultant provides 1: 1,000 student ratio. But you can handle "discouragement" well. You are a special kind of person and I have great faith in what you do to make this earth, my earth, our world, so much better.
National, state, and local government elections are held here this year in the United States. I would never tell you who to vote for. However, I hope that those in government positions are leaders who have the qualities that I pointed out at the beginning of this column. Let us make sure that our elected officials understand the importance of advice and how their support for such services can make this country better, more productive and welcoming than what we are currently experiencing.
Let us ensure that those who choose civil service understand that they are measured by their commitment to improving people's lives and their success. For example, Chesa Boudin was sworn in as the new District Attorney in San Francisco last month. Boudin, who had actually served as a public defender in San Francisco, had a living experience that forced him to run on a restorative justice platform. He believes in a reform of criminal law that includes eliminating the discriminatory system of bail, protecting immigrants from deportation, and creating a pre-trial release program to keep the accused at work and at home. What I found particularly interesting was Boudin's commitment to treating criminals mentally, as he knows that detention does not properly address the problem of those with behavioral health needs.
Before Boudin was a Rhodes scholar and a Yale Law School graduate, he experienced the criminal justice system as one of his youngest victims – as a child of parents who were part of the Weather Underground. They were jailed at the age of just 14 months (his mother was released when he was 23 and his father continues to serve 75 years in prison).
I would like to believe that there are more Chesa Boudins who have stated that they will run for public office in 2020. Guys, we run out of time when we are really determined to make this country and our world more compassionate and caring. I believe there must be a partnership in which professional consultants and other behavioral health experts work together to successfully tackle the challenges that so many people face.
As always, I look forward to your comments, questions and thoughts. Call me at 800-347-6647 ext. 231 or email [email protected]. You can also follow me on Twitter: @Richyep.
Be healthy.