Sean Bourrie, Inspector, RCMP, Developing Leadership Impact, 2011

For Sean Bourrie, leadership is a journey with no defined end.

His work as a police officer has afforded him leadership training within his field, but lately he has been keen to branch out into other business areas and explore what leadership means in those contexts. That professional, and personal, curiosity is what led him to attend Royal Roads University for the Developing Leadership Impact program.

"I try to embrace lifelong learning, and strive for excellence in my life," Bourrie says. He attended the program, through the Centre for Applied Leadership and Management, in November 2011, and was heartened by what he learned and the connections he made.

"I expected to be exposed to others who were on their leadership journey from various backgrounds and was hoping to learn from their experiences and realities," Bourrie says.  "I was not disappointed."

The cohort was comprised of leaders from private industry, public services, not-for-profit agencies and academic institutions. His learning was enriched by their experiences and insights, and he found himself in a position to impart knowledge on others as well.

"Personally, I was humbled and felt honoured that some of our young leaders were interested in any advice I might have to offer on various topics," he says. "Professionally, I am satisfied and heartened to be reminded that many of the things I do on a daily basis are valuable for a leader of high-functioning teams working in pressure situations."

The campus environment is extraordinary, and the support from Royal Roads faculty and staff was positive. "Everyone went out of their way to make my experience pleasant, which allowed me to concentrate on the task at hand - learning," he says.

At the end of the course, Bourrie, who is a RCMP inspector in Saskatchewan, returned home with a powerful reminder on his approach to work.

"The biggest impact was the reminder to continue to be inclusive and collaborative; to take small steps; to celebrate victories and to continually be a champion for positive change." 

Sean Bourrie
Inspector, RCMP
Developing Leadership Impact, 2011