Extraordinary Leadership

1. Remembering that you don’t have to be good at everything, what are two or three strengths that you have developed in your life and that set you apart from others?

I really struggled with this question. I guess that is one of my weaknesses... I am really hard on myself.

Three of my strengths -
~ I am very detail oriented. I rarely let things fall through and I am able to focus on my task list easily.
~ I am able to keep the eternal perspective in my life. This helps me to give applicable advice to those that I am working with.
~ I try to act with integrity all the time. I want my actions to be consistent with my words all the time. My team is able to trust me to do what I think is best for us as a whole.

2. Why do you think General Norman Schwarzkopf felt that character is more important than strategy?

I think General Norman Schwarzkopf felt that character is more important than strategy because someone that is able to lead with character will always be more powerful than someone who leads with strategy. Character will help a leader to be consistently successful throughout their career because it is rooted in values. Values don't shift in reaction to shifting circumstances, where as strategy does.

I found a quote by President Hunter that relates to finding true success in life. He said, "The achievement of true greatness is a long-term process. It may involve occasional setbacks. The end result may not always be clearly visible, but it seems that it always requires regular, consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary and mundane steps over a long period of time. We should remember that it was the Lord who said, 'Out of small things proceedeth that which is great' (D&C 64:33)."

This quote reemphasizes General Schwarzkopf's belief that character is essential because it reminds me that 'true greatness is a long-term process.' Good character is also a long-term process. With good character, any individual can find success because they will always put people first and will keep their priorities in check.

3. In your BYUSA assignment, what have you chosen as your “hedgehog,” or the thing(s) that you will do better than anyone else?

I feel like I am consistently focusing on a different "hedgehog" in my life. Currently, I want to be great with people. I want people to know I am a person they can trust to make things happen on their behalf. Basically, I want to be a tool in helping the club's area become an amazing place for customer service. I am trying to focus on the individual. I want to remember their names and fulfill each club president's needs.

I don't know that I am doing this better than anyone else, but I hope that we are able to change the student's view of our area one president at a time!