Who I Am
Trevor J. Semeniuk, CD, BSc, MASc
I am an experienced senior leader in the Canadian Armed Forces who embraces transformational, people-centric leadership, and wise compassion management. I approach work endeavours, academic pursuits, life passions and human connections with a non-judgmental, open mind. I share my personal life experiences and show vulnerabilities in my writing to encourage others to openly share their own experiences. I believe every human has a story that needs to be heard and that with vulnerability a sense of community can be built through increasing understanding and reduced stigma.
I am an advocate for change and kindness and use the lessons I have learned through adversity and struggle to elevate those around me. I am inspired by the statement, “if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else -- Toni Morrison," thus, I try to recognize and use my privilege and power to free and empower others. My work is intrinsically motivated and altruistic in nature, and every day I try to make the world a little better by sharing myself, my kindness, and my knowledge.
I am only one, but I am still one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.
-- Helen Keller
My special interests are music and gardening and my life passion is improving the world around me through research and writing.
My Philosophies
Autistic individuals bring unique talents to leadership roles which challenge theories and beliefs of what characteristics are essential for leadership. Autistic individuals may struggle with many social constructs that leadership entails, but misconceptions and false beliefs must be challenged, and required competencies must be reviewed. By broadening current conceptualizations of leadership to include autistic characteristics and behaviours, assumptions can be challenged, and research gaps can be addressed regarding autistic and neurodivergent leadership.
I support the social model of disability which promotes and advocates for the societal and organizational changes necessary for the autistic community to be accepted and enabled to achieve their maximum. This model focuses on the idea that barriers in society, rather than individual differences, are responsible for creating challenges for autistic individuals. It emphasizes the need to address societal structures and attitudes that are barriers for autistics, to create an inclusive and supportive environment where all autistics can thrive and contribute to society.
Promoting and developing effective autistic leaders provides a community of strong role models, challenges negative perceptions around autism and reduces challenges and barriers in the workplace. However, it is important to recognize that the autistic spectrum is vast and those who can excel in leadership roles should be mentors and role models for other autistic leaders but also use their strengths, power, and talents to better the lives and experiences of the entire demographic of autistics who continue to be under-represented, under-employed and suffer many barriers and challenges within the workplace.
With understanding comes increased empathy and acceptance, thus, through my work, I try to collect, synthesize, and share critically-analyzed information to build a better understanding of not only the relationship between autism and leadership but autism in general.
The spectrum is infinite and so is our potential.
