About me — David Adam
“He who knows himself is enlightened.”
-Confucius
Hi there!
I’m David and let me introduce myself.
Assessing how well one knows oneself and answering this simple question, “Who am I?” is very challenging.
Let’s start with my origins. I was born in a small town situated between Quebec and Montreal. It was a peaceful place, where even the local police officer would stop by the baseball field to check how fast we were pitching, using his speed gun — although, to be honest, it never really worked.
I remember cycling across town to play with my friends. My uncle was subscribed to various Marvel comic books, which were delivered to my house. I had the chance to read them all before he came to pick them up. This also fueled my imagination, so my friend and I would create our own superheroes and stories. That was almost 30 years ago, yet it remains vivid in my memory. Life was different back then.
After high school, I planned to study graphic design, to become a visual effect artist. I was accepted into a college near Quebec, planning to attend with a friend from high school. However, my grades weren’t good enough, and I was rejected a month before the term started. When I opened the letter stating that, unfortunately, after reviewing my file and considering the many applications, I could not attend, I was devastated. I had visited the dormitory, made plans with my friend, and it was also the only college I had applied to. Here, I faced my first major setback when my dreams of studying graphic design were dashed due to insufficient grades. This rejection marked the beginning of a long, winding path through various unexpected careers, each shaping the person I would become.
I ended up entering the labor market, working in various industries, from building coffins to manufacturing Jet-ski shells. During this period, I also began traveling; on my first trip, I drove from Quebec to British Columbia with someone I barely knew to work in the Canadian West, as many of my fellow Quebecers did at the time. It was with a coworker from the Jet Ski factory, I had just quit because of my ego. I kept telling my coworkers that I was going back to school and had applied to another school, but I was rejected again. Since I had told them that I was going back to school, I stuck to my word, quit my job, and went on this trip.
“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
It was an adventure the whole way there and back, but that’s a story for another time. I learned one thing though: don’t be naïve. I trusted my fellow traveler and was deceived. We had fun and got to know each other, but I quickly realised he had no money, and that I had to pay for many things. The car also broke down halfway through the prairie, and we ended selling the car in a town with a population of 1000 within an hour, then jump on the next bus to Alberta. We parted ways there; he continued to British Colombia and I went to Banff to meet up with friends who were already there. This trip taught me adaptability and learning from the unpredictability of life.
When I returned, I reapplied to school in Quebec, this time in cinema, aspiring to become a movie director.
The excitement to finally open a letter that said I was accepted was a relief. However, I was also stressed as it was a different field than I had planned to go into . It was an enjoyable experience for my creative mind; we made many short films, wrote scripts, and learned the ins and outs of the profession. After earning my diploma, I moved to Montreal, the hub for film jobs, with only $10 in my pocket, a full tank of gas, and a place to stay with my sister and her boyfriend. Finding work in cinema or television was more challenging than I anticipated. I quickly realized that without connections, breaking into the industry wouldn’t be easy.
So, I started looking for a temporary job and came across an ad for a security position at the airport. The idea of chasing bad guys around the airport seemed exciting, so I applied. After a brief interview where the only two questions asked were whether I spoke English and if I owned a car, I was hired.
I was employed as a screening officer, which is the Canadian equivalent of the TSA. I experienced the introduction of the 100 ml limit on liquids due to a liquid bomb plot, the underwear bomber crisis, and bomb threat evacuations. These situations reinforced the importance of adaptability.
Meanwhile, I continued trying to break into the movie/television industry. During my time at the airport, I met movie stars, professional hockey players, and politicians but never found my way into the business I studied.
One day, as I was searching for job opportunities in my field, I found a job offer for blogging for a VFX studio in Montreal. I had no direct experience, but knew screenwriting, so I took my chance, applied, and ended up getting the job, seeing this as an opportunity to get closer to my dream.
For the next two years, I blogged about the VFX industry. It was fun and challenging, and I was learning at the same time. I was also promoting the work the studio did, keep in mind that was 15 years ago. I kept my job at the airport as a safety net, but my head was always in my articles, always thinking of the next one. I was invited to events; it was a nice time.
After two years, we parted ways because the studio grew and they no longer saw blogging as useful, nonetheless, it was a great experience.
Eventually, my mind returned to my airport security job, which over time became mundane and repetitive. The procedures changed and the job became less human, more like a production chain. My dream of working in the television/movie industry was fading away.
Something happened that changed the course of my life. As I was working, screening passengers at the metal detector, we heard yelling in front of the checkpoint.
“Close the door! Close the door!” My colleague working at the door directing passengers tried to close the checkpoint doors, but was tackled by someone running in. The person was followed by airport police chasing him, they all fell on the ground, the suspect and two police officers. They were struggling to get a hold of him, the scene unfolding right before me. I remember the look on the officer’s face when he caught my eye and said, “Help me; he’s trying to grab my gun.” I stopped thinking and just ran towards them, grabbing the subject’s hand and pulling it away from the gun. My colleague at the door had jumped on the suspect’s legs, and with our help, the police officers managed to handcuff the man.
The rush of adrenaline and the feeling of having done something good was immense. Some situations in life require you to gather your courage, and at that particular time, I had done just that. I later learned that the man was at the check-in with his girlfriend when she told him she was leaving him and never coming back. The man didn’t take it well and, upon seeing the patrolling airport police, asked them for a gun. Shocked, they refused, and he then tried to grab one of their guns, leading to a fight. He ran through the airport until he thought he found an exit at the checkpoint.
It was a desperate move by him; he later said that he wanted to end his own life. This entire situation made me question whether I should pursue another career. So, I tried to enter law enforcement, wanting to help people more than I was doing as an airport security screener.
After a year of interviews and tests, I was accepted by a law enforcement organization, and was sent to their training school. I was never going to be a movie director, but I thought I had found another purpose.
I worked hard for 8 years in law enforcement, and all my past experiences paid off, leading me to become a supervisor. I was promoted two years ago.
I’ve always loved to lead, not in a sense of wielding power but to help people improve and succeed.
I began to immerse myself deeply in the art of leadership, striving to learn more about it every day.
I wanted to be the supervisor I always wished to have — one who didn’t need to say, “Do what I say because I am your boss.” I wanted to guide people, nurture them.
As I reflect on my journey from a small-town youth, through various careers, to a position of leadership in law enforcement, I see a pattern of learning and adaptation that defines my approach to leadership today. Each challenge and change taught me the resilience and empathy that are crucial in guiding others. My story illustrates that leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about understanding and responding to the needs of people and situations. By sharing these experiences, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own leadership paths with courage and insight.
That is the passion I discovered, and what I will write about in my future articles here. I want to discuss leadership and how to be a better leader, to grow and help others grow.
If this subject interests you, I invite you to join me as we go deeper into the art of leadership. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or looking to enhance your skills, there’s a place for you in this conversation. Follow my articles, share your stories, and let’s explore together how we can lead more effectively and compassionately in our own lives. Your journey in leadership might be different, but the principles and challenges often echo with a familiar resonance. Let’s learn and grow together.
Thank you!
David
