Building New Leaders Q&A with Cicy Guimond

Congratulations to our very own Cicy Guimond as one of the 2016 recipients of the J. David McLeod Assistantship Fund.  Cicy has been with UBC since 2008 and is currently a Financial and Business Analyst in Student Financial Services. She recently presented at the 2017 WARUCC Conference in Calgary. You can view her presentation here.

Q:  In your WARUCC presentation for Building New Leaders: Insights into the Development of the Next Generation of Managers you went through 8 fundamentals.

1. Importance of tone at the top
2. Connecting with others through stakeholder theory
3. Servant leadership: leaders should support others
4. Values-based leadership: the whole team can be involved
5. Motivate through celebration of successes
6. Encourage staff to achieve their full potential
7. Provide opportunities to facilitate continued growth.
8. Mindfulness: focus on when these tips can be best used.

Is there one in particular that you feel inspired by the most?

A:  All of the fundamentals I presented are ideas that I have seen come to life in practice by management within my own unit, Enrolment Services, and UBC as a whole. I have definitely been motivated at one time or another by each of these points, but if I had to pick one, I would say that I am most inspired by the opportunity to facilitate continued growth. I joke that I am an addict to learning, but I genuinely feel as though I am in the best possible environment to continue to reflect and develop myself as an individual, a team member, and a leader. The support I have received throughout my studies and other professional development activities have been absolutely phenomenal, and I have been constantly encouraged to do more and challenge the boundaries of my full potential.

Q:  You are currently studying for your MBA and working full time in Student Financial Services. How do you keep yourself balanced and focused?

A:  It sounds a bit wonky at first, but I have recently started practicing mindfulness every night before bed. It helps clear my mind, and ensures that I am well rested for the following day. I believe that taking time to rest is crucial to making good decisions and keeps me in the right frame of mind to accomplish my tasks. It also helps that I have a dog who loves walking (and/or bouncing) for at least an hour a day, which guarantees that I get some fresh air!

Q:  As UBC steps into the next century, we find ourselves on the path to a bright future of new leaders with continuous learning and exploration. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A:  I hope in 5 years I will continue to be at UBC within a unit that supports my desire for ongoing learning and growth. By that time, I hope that I will have completed my MBA, and will be applying that knowledge in new and challenging situations in a way that adds value to not only my unit, but the wider campus community.