Do you have a purpose of making a difference? Unsure of where to begin and how to begin? That is where I was almost 30 years ago.

Finding and serving my purpose started at age 14 when I became a political activist advocating for Palestinian rights. At age 24, I joined the Palestinian Government, where I founded and directed the first Palestinian Diplomatic Institute to give equal opportunities for young people to join the highly sought-after diplomatic career.

In 2001 at age 27, my purpose took me to Washington DC to serve my first diplomatic post advocating for my people’s aspirations for freedom and justice. It was not an easy road, but I have learned a lot about the complexity of international relations, institutional dynamics and policymaking.

In my strive to learn and grow, in 2005 I decided to go to Harvard University to get higher education in public policy and leadership to reflect on my professional experiences.

While at Harvard, I took a course titled Adaptive Leadership, which was a turning point in my life. I experienced many “Ah-ha” moments – it was a gift to reflect and a powerful self-discovery journey that has challenged many of my long-held assumptions.

One of those moments came about when I realized that leadership is not a title or a person in a high position of power – the President, CEO, or Boss, but it comes from within, and it comes from our PURPOSE.  How many people in high positions of power do you know have failed you? The list can be long.

Leadership is not a role or trait we are born with but rather a process or an activity available to anyone who aspires to make a difference. So leadership becomes a choice and, more importantly, a skill that can be learned and developed.

For me, this realization has sparked a new purpose in life.   I have always dreamed of changing lives one at a time. That’s why after Harvard and since 2006, I have dedicated my life to what I believe I do best:  spread the work of leadership to empower today’s leaders to overcome tomorrow’s challenges.