When I began the Better Me: Better World project, I knew that leadership wasn’t just about self-improvement. It was also about how we treat others, how we make decisions, and how we engage with issues that impact the communities around us. That’s why one of the most meaningful components of this project was the focus on ethics and service to others—two areas that I believe are absolutely central to modern leadership.
This final blog post is a reflection on those two pillars—what I learned through completing the DEI Awareness Professional Certification, how I shared my growth with others, and what I believe leaders need to carry forward in today’s complex world.
Ethics and Inclusion: More Than a Checkbox
To fulfill the ethics portion of the project, I enrolled in and completed the LinkedIn Learning DEI Awareness Professional Certification. The course was seven hours of structured video content, quizzes, and a final exam that explored key themes like bias, equity, inclusive leadership, and workplace culture. On April 15, 2025, I officially completed the program.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect at first. DEI has become such a politically charged topic in recent years, especially in public discourse. But I approached the course with an open mind—and I’m very glad I did. The content was thought-provoking and immediately relevant to real-world leadership challenges, even challenges I had experienced in prior companies or roles in my professional career.
I learned how unconscious bias shows up in hiring and promotion decisions. I explored the differences between equality and equity. I gained a deeper understanding of how to create space for voices that are often overlooked or silenced. But more than anything, the course helped me realize how critical self-awareness and humility are in ethical leadership.
Ethical leadership isn’t just about checking a compliance box or avoiding a lawsuit. It’s about doing the right thing—even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. It’s about making space at the table for others, even if you’ve never had to think about who was missing before. It’s about being willing to grow, listen, and unlearn when necessary.
Sharing the Message
After I completed the certification, I shared the news with my network on LinkedIn. I wanted people to see that investing in DEI is not only worthwhile—it’s necessary. And I was encouraged by the response. People appreciated the vulnerability and honesty in what I shared. A few colleagues even messaged me privately, saying they were inspired to take similar steps in their own professional development.
For me, that was the real win. This project was never about personal accolades or attempting to get a public pat on the back—it was about creating a ripple effect. And in this case, simply sharing what I had learned helped open up new conversations about equity, inclusion, and ethical growth. Those are the kinds of conversations that build stronger teams, better cultures, and more effective leaders.
Leadership in a Divided World
In today’s polarized environment, ethical leadership isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Leaders are constantly navigating complex social issues, cultural dynamics, and organizational tensions. We don’t have the luxury of being passive or disengaged, and unfortunately, we don’t always have leaders who model good examples of what this might look like for others aspiring towards becoming leaders themselves.
We need leaders who are:
- Willing to speak up for what’s right, even when it’s not popular
- Able to listen to diverse perspectives, especially when they challenge the status quo
- Committed to growth, accountability, and inclusion
- Transparent and consistent in their values and decisions
Completing the DEI certification wasn’t a one-time action. It was a starting point. It reminded me that leadership requires continuous learning—not just about strategy and execution, but about people, relationships, and social impact.
Connecting the Dots: How It All Comes Together
As I step back and reflect on the entire Better Me: Better World project, I can clearly see how all the parts are connected:
- Physical Development gave me the energy and confidence to engage more fully in other areas of life.
- Emotional Care reminded me to slow down, process feelings, and build resilience through reflection.
- Intellectual Pursuits sharpened my thinking and improved how I communicate ideas.
- Ethics and DEI grounded my leadership in humility, inclusivity, and responsibility.
- Service to Others turned internal growth into external impact, helping me lead by example and connect with others in meaningful ways.
Each piece supported the next. Growth wasn’t always linear or perfect, but it was purposeful—and that made all the difference. And as mentioned in the first blog post, resilience was my post powerful lesson learned throughout this journey. As unexpected hurdles arose, I had to make decisions around prioritization and what was most important or could be achieved. I also had to make strategic decisions around what goals or tasks to NOT pursue despite my original goals and best intentions. Resilience saw me through this project and achieving an overall successful completion.
Recommendations for Future Leaders
If you’re considering a personal or professional growth project like this, here are a few things I’d recommend:
- Start with clear, holistic goals. Look beyond just work or fitness—consider your emotional, ethical, and service-oriented growth, too.
- Document your journey. Whether it’s journaling, blogging, or talking with others, processing your growth helps reinforce it.
- Share your learning. You don’t need to be perfect or polished—just honest. Your growth might inspire someone else to begin theirs or find ways to apply your lessons learned in their own lives.
- Be flexible and resilient. Life will throw curveballs. Progress is still progress, even if it looks different than you expected. It is okay to stumble. It is okay to face hurdles that you could have never seen coming. As Marcus Aurelius said, “what stands in the way becomes the way.”
- Keep going. Growth doesn’t end when the project is done. Let this be the start of something bigger for you and for others.
The Road Ahead
Though the project is officially complete, the journey isn’t over. I plan to continue developing in each of these five areas. I’ll keep reading, writing, working out, reflecting, and speaking up. I’ll also continue sharing what I learn along the way—because growth, when shared, multiplies.
This project was a personal transformation. It reminded me of why leadership matters and how becoming a better version of myself can contribute, even in small ways, to building a better world.
Thank you for following along in this journey. I hope it encourages you to begin your own.
Lastly, I want to thank my mother for almost four decades of her love and support. She is gone, but I still think about her every single day. Every day has its own challenges. I still cry. I still struggle to find the will and energy to wake up. I still find myself thinking about regrets and what I wish I had done with the time we had together. I hope that this project would have made her proud. I miss you and love you!
