Cet article a été rédigé en anglais par Jaber Tawil, participant actuel du programme EMBA McGill-HEC Montréal, à l’occasion du Mois du patrimoine asiatique au Canada, en mai 2025.

Leadership, Legacy, and the Lessons of My Heritage

By Jaber Tawil

War, Peace, and the Legacy of Displacement

I was born in Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War, a conflict that etched itself into every corner of our country and left deep scars across generations. My earliest memories are filled with tension and uncertainty. Like so many others across Asia, we became part of a global story of forced migration, not driven by ambition but by the need to survive.

But I carry something powerful with me: an unwavering belief that peace is possible, and more than that, it is essential. I share this message during Asian Heritage Month. No matter how deeply rooted conflict may seem, we can choose a different path. Reconciliation instead of revenge. Bridges instead of barriers. Hope instead of hurt. And all of that begins one day, one decision, one conversation at a time.

As a leader, this belief shapes me. I’ve learned that peace is not just a political goal; it is a daily practice. It means leading with empathy, creating environments where people feel safe, heard, and valued. I see management not as control but as support, choosing calm in moments of chaos and understanding before reaction. Emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and compassion are not soft skills. They are the foundation of strong, resilient teams.

A Global Diaspora and a Warning from the Past

The Lebanese are everywhere, from Canada to Brazil, from France to Australia. We’ve rebuilt homes, careers, and communities. I often think of our ancestors, the Phoenicians, seafarers and traders who connected civilizations. That spirit lives on in our diaspora. We are adaptable, entrepreneurial, warm, and resilient.

But our story also carries a hard-earned warning. When religion became entangled with politics, we lost our way. That combination fueled division, gave rise to extremism, and shattered a society that once thrived on coexistence. This is a lesson I carry into my leadership. I have learned never to confuse ideology with guidance, or identity with destiny.

In both life and leadership, I strive for inclusion. I make it a point to listen to every voice. Not only because it is fair, but because I have seen how diversity strengthens teams. I do not lead through hierarchy or ideology. I lead through humanity. I do not manage through fear, but through trust and clarity. That mindset brought me to the EMBA, not only to learn new tools, but to grow alongside others who lead for impact, not just results.

The Struggle with My Origins and the Journey to Acceptance

There was a time when even my own name made me uncomfortable. I tried to « Frenchify » it, soften it, hide behind it. I worried that my résumé might be pushed aside because of it. I knew what would follow when someone asked, “Where are you from?”, the follow-up questions and the stereotypes.

Even today, I feel a knot in my stomach when I hand over my Canadian passport at customs. I anticipate the look, the assumptions, the label that comes when they see I was born in Beirut.

For a long time, I tried to blend in. But blending in comes at a cost. It chips away at your sense of self. Over time, through reflection and especially through this EMBA journey, I’ve come to realize that my story and my struggles are not unique. Many of us live between worlds. But there is quiet strength in embracing who we are, in holding space for both pride and pain.

This journey of acceptance has deeply shaped my leadership. I know what it feels like to not belong. That is why I lead with empathy and authenticity. I work to ensure no one on my team feels invisible. I encourage people to bring their whole selves to work, not just their skills, but their identities, stories, and voices. I have come to understand that inclusion is not a checkbox. It is a daily leadership discipline.

A Letter to the Future: The Hope of Our Children

Today, I am raising two children whose mother is of Vietnamese origin. We come from opposite sides of Asia, but together we have built a life that blends two beautiful Asian heritages, Lebanese and Vietnamese, into something new and full of promise.

Our children carry both our histories, but they are not weighed down by them. They are growing up in a home that values diversity, curiosity, and respect. A home that teaches them not to fear differences, but to celebrate them. In many ways, they represent the future I am working toward. A future where collaboration triumphs over division, and where heritage is a bridge, not a border.

To them, and to the next generation:

I hope you never feel the need to hide who you are.

I hope your name fills you with pride.

I hope you walk into every room knowing you belong.

And I hope you lead, not by dominating, but by empowering others to rise with you.

This is the leadership I aspire to.

This is what brought me to the EMBA. To grow, to reflect, and to lead in a way that honors where I come from and the future I want to help build.

In that spirit, I share this reflection as part of Asian Heritage Month. It is a time to recognize the depth of our stories, the strength of our communities, and the leadership we offer, shaped by where we have been and where we are going.