I am Guided by “What Would Brian Do?”

Commentary by Staci Santa

Brian became my supervisor in 1996 when I moved to Cleveland to serve my second year as a national service volunteer. Only one year out of college, I had little work experience and frankly was scared to death of homeless people. That is, I had a lot to learn. Though perhaps the least comfortable service placement I could have been assigned to, it became the most valuable year in my career. 

If it is possible to be taught how to be a leader, Brian is the person to study under. If passion can be studied, Brian is the one to observe. If one can learn discipline, let Brian teach the course. Brian is honest when the truth is not popular, vocal when it is easier to be silent, and just even when justice does not suit his personal gain.

For Brian’s 10th anniversary at NEOCH, friends of the organization were asked to share whatever they wanted to about him in that year’s annual report. Here is what I had to say then, and still stand by today.

“WWBD? Even now, years after I’ve left Cleveland, I find myself in difficult management situations thinking, ‘what would Brian do?’ Here’s what I learned from Brian Davis:

v  standing up for social justice is not only admirable, but also my responsibility;

v  sometimes it really is everyone else who is wrong;

v  Brian’s funny;

v  any document always has room for at least one more edit;

v  what a privilege it is to do everyday what I feel passionately about.

Thank you for all you’ve given me and the myriad AmeriCorps* members who landed the best service job in the nation.”

Editor’s Note: Staci did not mention that I brought her to tears in our telephone interview for the job, but yet she still took the job.