Wednesday, December 11 | Thought Leadership

Empowering Leadership in the IDD Community: 4 Lessons from Precious Myers-Brown’s Inspiring Keynote

By Tricia Zerger, Senior Director, Human Services Strategy

In a keynote that stirred the hearts and minds of everyone in attendance at the 2nd Annual IDD Leadership Summit, Precious Myers-Brown, Chief Innovation and Dream Officer, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Assistive Technology Trained Professional, Vista Supports, took center stage and reminded us that true empowerment starts from within. Her thought-provoking keynote emphasized the role of leadership in the IDD community, urging professionals to reflect, support, and inspire without limiting others.

Here are four impactful takeaways from her empowering presentation.

"Empowerment is the practice of stepping back to let individuals step up."

Precious emphasized that empowerment isn’t about doing things for others but allowing them the space to rise. Her perspective shifts the traditional concept of caregiving roles to support environments where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) feel safe to explore, take risks and ultimately grow into their full, unique selves. By stepping back, it fosters self-reliance, reinforcing the belief that everyone, regardless of ability, has a special contribution to make.

"If you cut off, reject or shortchange somebody within their dream statement, you limit their opportunity—and your own—to grow."

Precious challenged attendees to recognize the power of simply listening to someone’s aspirations, however unconventional they may seem. It’s a perspective that speaks to the heart of leadership within the IDD community. The individuals they support often face societal limitations, this message is crucial and bears repeating. When you listen and allow clients to fully express their dreams, you create a foundation of mutual respect that can lead to transformative growth for both parties.

"Every dream that gets presented in your presence is an opportunity for you to grow as a leader."

Leadership in the IDD space isn’t only about guiding others; it’s also about self-development. Precious highlighted how supporting others in their ambitions gives leaders a chance to learn, adapt and refine their approach. For professionals, this means seeing each goal or aspiration to expand their empathy and creative problem-solving skills. This mindset fosters a dynamic environment where leaders and clients alike are encouraged to learn and evolve together.

"Pause, listen and limit the pseudo-negative talk—the ‘hater’ within."

One of the standout moments in Precious’s talk was her advocacy for the “power of the pause.” She challenged attendees to catch themselves before responding negatively to someone’s dream, especially if the response stems from personal doubts or limitations. This habit of pausing before responding not only avoids dampening someone’s spirit but also strengthens the community’s supportive culture. In IDD support services, where encouragement is critical, this simple pause can be transformative, allowing leaders to be better advocates.

Moving Forward with Empowerment

Precious Myers-Brown’s keynote was so much more than a motivational speech; it was a call to action for IDD professionals to rethink how they approach leadership and empowerment. By embracing her message to support, listen, and believe in the potential of each individual, the community can help clients build lives that align with their dreams.