Service is really about the individuals. This lesson has hit home repeatedly over the past few months. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve in BYUSA so I can come to better understand myself and how I can impact those around me. More than anything, I have come to better understand that BYUSA is about serving the students here at BYU, but it is also about preparing leaders to serve later in their lives. This experience has really refined me and the person that I am so that I am more able to go forth to serve. I guess I am here this year to help others to learn how to be better leaders. Every individual here at BYU has something to offer, here at school, and in society. The Savior was perfect at this. He always left people better than he found them. I want to be able to better follow his example. Throughout my reflection, I want to focus on the major lessons this term has taught me and provide some evidence of experience.
Perspective is everything.
It has been really hard for me to be a member of the presidency for a second round, working under a president who does lack the experience that I have. I do have full confidence in Ryan’s ability to be a leader, but sometimes I have a hard time watching him make the same mistakes I learned this past year. I have said many prayers in my office during the times of frustration and trials. Honestly, at times I have felt that I am not able to be my best self when I am around Ryan. That really worries me. What I have learned this term from Ryan is that we need to remember that perspective is everything. I can make it through anything by remembering who I am and what I stand for. I need to be a leader of integrity. When we are among the people in the office, Ryan and I need to be completely unified. When I am in a closed room with him, those are the times that I need to be honest and upfront so as to create the unity that we will need to live by. As I have taken the council of my mom and Brother Ward, I have realized that often working with other people is all about how we communicate with them so we can have the same perspective about a situation.
Moving forward, I want to be a leader who never says anything bad about anyone around me. I want to have the eternal perspective about the individuals we will encounter and have the opportunity to serve. I need to remember the power that each person has to impact BYU for good and serve in the kingdom. My perspective will be everything as I go throughout this year of service. This is how I will be able to learn and grow from this experience.
Charity is the greatest quality I could have as a leader.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about my past leaders and the impact they have made on my life. I think the greatest quality they have shown me is that of love. They have been willing to accept me for who I am and help me to become a better person. I want to be known as a kind leader. I want to lead by example and be a leader people can look up to. I often think back on the leadership of Elise May and the kindness she showed those around her. She was able to meet an individual and help them to feel invaluable right away. I want to develop this skill over the next year. In reflecting on many of the experiences I have had this term, being more loving could have helped me to be more successful. If I had been able to love Julie for the girl that she was, I probably would have handled myself better when things went poorly. If I were more loving toward Ryan, I would have been a better support to him as he learned about the leader he wanted to become. If I would have been a better friend to Brandon, he may have come to understand this organization for what it is at a faster speed. Love has the power to change hearts and an immense power to lead people if applied in the right way. As I go throughout this next year, I want to be the leader that those around me need. I want to make people feel like they can do great things. I want to be the friend others can count on. Mostly, I want others to think of me as a sweet leader. No longer will I pride myself on my ability to by bold as a leader, but rather I will strive to help others improve with my love.
Where is my heart?
I would have never been able to participate in this experience if it weren’t for my motive to serve people. I want to help other individuals grow as leaders and become better tools for our Father in the kingdom. I know that I have the right motive in BYUSA, but I think I need to remember it throughout the next year. My motive will keep me going, but it also has the power to help me be better at my other goals. To be able to serve with the right motive, I need to be sure to keep a steady routine this next year. When I am focusing on a good schedule, I am more likely to have good scripture study and do the other things that I think is important. I will also want to keep myself healthy, with proper sleeping habits. If I am able to get enough sleep, I will be a better leader. Motive is at the roots of all of my actions. I need to have a weekly check with myself to ensure that my motive is staying pure.
I am so grateful for this term and for the challenges we have had and the lessons I have learned. Everything truly happens for a reason. As Tommy mentioned in our class, “Love is a lifestyle.” I want to make love my lifestyle. This is the only way I will be able to increase my power as a leader.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Honor - Val Shewfelt
What does honor mean to me?
To me, living with honor means that I am a person who lives with integrity and respect. It isn't hard to make a good decision once, but it is hard to make many good decisions over and over again. If I am able to have consistent integrity, I will be that much closer to living a life of honor. The Savior was the perfect example of this. He loved everyone, all the time. All of his decisions to do good were consistently made. I want to be consistent in my actions of integrity. By doing so, I will be more honorable. I love what Faust said of honor, "But if you live so as to know the Lord’s will, you will find peace in your soul and great happiness. You will be among those who will enjoy 'the highest place of honor in human life.'" I hope to live worthy to be considered honorable after this life.
My cookie experience...
I gave my cookie to my roommate Noelle and her boyfriend Andrew. It was actually a great experience. I explained that the honor code is about a lot more than the rules. The honor code is really about honorable living and how well we are able to live the principles of the code in our daily lives. We had a great discussion about living at a higher standard. That is what sets us apart as Latter-Day Saints. We are expected to hold ourselves at a higher standard and by so doing we become better disciples of Christ.
To me, living with honor means that I am a person who lives with integrity and respect. It isn't hard to make a good decision once, but it is hard to make many good decisions over and over again. If I am able to have consistent integrity, I will be that much closer to living a life of honor. The Savior was the perfect example of this. He loved everyone, all the time. All of his decisions to do good were consistently made. I want to be consistent in my actions of integrity. By doing so, I will be more honorable. I love what Faust said of honor, "But if you live so as to know the Lord’s will, you will find peace in your soul and great happiness. You will be among those who will enjoy 'the highest place of honor in human life.'" I hope to live worthy to be considered honorable after this life.
My cookie experience...
I gave my cookie to my roommate Noelle and her boyfriend Andrew. It was actually a great experience. I explained that the honor code is about a lot more than the rules. The honor code is really about honorable living and how well we are able to live the principles of the code in our daily lives. We had a great discussion about living at a higher standard. That is what sets us apart as Latter-Day Saints. We are expected to hold ourselves at a higher standard and by so doing we become better disciples of Christ.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Branding - Tamara Gray
What does the BYUSA brand really mean to me?
To me the BYUSA brand is all about fun, people, service, laughter, busy lives, and friendship. When I see the BYUSA logo, I have feelings of love for the people up there. I guess that's what it's all about for me.
What can I do to take ownership of the brand in my area?
I think I need to be sure that everyone in my area is willing to live the BYUSA vision. That is the only way we will be able to take ownership for the BYUSA brand. By simply loving people when we first meet them, by being organized in our events and executing them well, and by being a friend to everyone. I need to be willing to plan our events with the BYUSA vision in mind. That is what we want to be the brand.
How will I explain the brand to others?
I will explain the brand to others by using the BYUSA vision. I normally focus on my favorite parts, or the key words. When people have more questions about BYUSA, I normally go into a description of the 6 areas of BYUSA. I will focus on the ones that the individual would be most interested in. I will explain the brand after first getting to know an individual, then explain the parts that are pertinent to them.
To me the BYUSA brand is all about fun, people, service, laughter, busy lives, and friendship. When I see the BYUSA logo, I have feelings of love for the people up there. I guess that's what it's all about for me.
What can I do to take ownership of the brand in my area?
I think I need to be sure that everyone in my area is willing to live the BYUSA vision. That is the only way we will be able to take ownership for the BYUSA brand. By simply loving people when we first meet them, by being organized in our events and executing them well, and by being a friend to everyone. I need to be willing to plan our events with the BYUSA vision in mind. That is what we want to be the brand.
How will I explain the brand to others?
I will explain the brand to others by using the BYUSA vision. I normally focus on my favorite parts, or the key words. When people have more questions about BYUSA, I normally go into a description of the 6 areas of BYUSA. I will focus on the ones that the individual would be most interested in. I will explain the brand after first getting to know an individual, then explain the parts that are pertinent to them.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Working with Volunteers - Brother Cox
What advantages are there in working with volunteers?
There are many advantages to working with volunteers. In general volunteers are excited, passionate, and whole-hearted. Most of all, I love the pure motive that volunteers have. In general, a volunteer is much more willing to serve because they believe in the cause they are working toward. This is why I love BYUSA so much. I almost always encounter volunteers who are excited about the prospect of serving in BYUSA because it is fun, enjoyable, and even more so, the BYUSA vision inspires those who serve with us.
What disadvantages are there in working with volunteers?
Volunteers sometimes lack commitment, expertise, and dependability. These problems only seem to exist when the volunteer does not have the proper motive.
How will you select and place volunteers?
I plan to select and place volunteers by first establishing detailed job descriptions so the volunteer will know exactly what they are getting themselves into. I will then seek out volunteers and get them set up with certain volunteer opportunities that match their interests and passions. Upon finding the perfect match, we will begin!
How will you train volunteers?
I plan to train my volunteers on a schedule. First, I will focus on the vision. By understanding the vision, we will be able to encourage that students be excited about service and the opportunities that BYUSA gives them to bless lives. I will then work to unify my team. After finishing those two duties, I will strive to teach the principles behind what we do in our area.
How will we reward and retain volunteers?
I really like rewarding volunteers with sincere thanks. I am a note-writing girl. I like to write notes and let individual's know of my love for them that way. I want to be better this year at finding out what I can do to recognize my team in the ways that they most like to be appreciated. I'm not sure what those ways are, but I am soon to find out. :)
There are many advantages to working with volunteers. In general volunteers are excited, passionate, and whole-hearted. Most of all, I love the pure motive that volunteers have. In general, a volunteer is much more willing to serve because they believe in the cause they are working toward. This is why I love BYUSA so much. I almost always encounter volunteers who are excited about the prospect of serving in BYUSA because it is fun, enjoyable, and even more so, the BYUSA vision inspires those who serve with us.
What disadvantages are there in working with volunteers?
Volunteers sometimes lack commitment, expertise, and dependability. These problems only seem to exist when the volunteer does not have the proper motive.
How will you select and place volunteers?
I plan to select and place volunteers by first establishing detailed job descriptions so the volunteer will know exactly what they are getting themselves into. I will then seek out volunteers and get them set up with certain volunteer opportunities that match their interests and passions. Upon finding the perfect match, we will begin!
How will you train volunteers?
I plan to train my volunteers on a schedule. First, I will focus on the vision. By understanding the vision, we will be able to encourage that students be excited about service and the opportunities that BYUSA gives them to bless lives. I will then work to unify my team. After finishing those two duties, I will strive to teach the principles behind what we do in our area.
How will we reward and retain volunteers?
I really like rewarding volunteers with sincere thanks. I am a note-writing girl. I like to write notes and let individual's know of my love for them that way. I want to be better this year at finding out what I can do to recognize my team in the ways that they most like to be appreciated. I'm not sure what those ways are, but I am soon to find out. :)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Situational Leadership - Adrian Klemme
Identify your own unique capabilities (as was explained in class) that will help you to identify what specific leadership style to use when in different situations. Explain how those inherent capabilities will benefit you and your leadership responsibilities for this upcoming year of service.
My unique capabilities? Good question... I think I am able to accurately perceive what the needs of others are. I am able to judge their responses to my behavior and make an appropriate decision from there. This has really helped me to see what I can do for others. Since I am grounded in my own life, I am not swayed as much by the actions of others and I am able to expect certain principles. As a leader, I will need to remember to be forgiving when I need to be forgiving, but stern when life calls for stern actions.
Identify in your roles some of the Directive Behaviors and Selective Behaviors you will implement as you work with your ED teams. Categorize them into specific situations where you will use these behaviors and provide a brief explanation about how and why each behavior will be used in that capacity (example: Selective Behavior – Listening, Stewardship Meetings, to let my ED know that I value their feedback and input on matters relating to ……). You can do this in a list or matrix format.
Directive Behavior - Authoritative - Conducting Meetings - I will choose the format of our area meetings and expect that the executive directors follow my outlined structure. That way, our meetings will always be productive and they will stay consistent in their content as a meeting.
Directive Behavior - Driven - Delegation - I am determined about my ambitions and where I want to see them go, so I will ensure that when the actions of my EDs aren't moving in the right direction, I will help them to change.
Selective Behavior - Motivation - Middle of Fall - I feel the like the middle of fall is going to be the next time that I will really need to be the motivating leader on our team to help them be excited about what they are doing.
Selective Behavior - Listening - stewardships - I will listen to my EDs during stewardships because I really do want to know how they are feeling about life and what they are striving to accomplish.
Selective Behavior - Delegating - programs - I will trust my executive directors with the day to day decisions on their programs because that is how they will be able to grow as leaders.
Take a current assessment of the development level of your incoming ED team and identify which leadership style they will initially require from you when they begin in a few weeks. Provide a brief explanation of specific things you will do to help them know you are "relating" to and understanding their development level.
Josh - I don't know if this is possible, but I feel like Josh is currently in the Directing area, but somewhat in the delegating area. Josh has a very high level of commitment, but his competency is very high in somethings and low in other things. I am going to have to work to ensure that he is kept in check to know that he is not always right. Maybe humble him a little bit. :) I know there will be times that I will need to let him go with his ideas, but other times that I will need to ensure that he is properly following the vision.
Christina - I would trust this girl with my life. She is extremely competent and committed! I am so excited to see her as a part of my area. I would expect her to be similar to Josh in her levels of leadership needs. She is very competent in some programs, but less so in some other programs. I will need to be sure to let Christina know that I do love and appreciate her. She will probably need some coaching to feel like she is making a significant impact on SAC.
Amber - Amber needs a friend. I would say that she is probably in the same stages as the others as well, but my actions will probably be a little different. My hope is that I can be her support in life, but remember that I need to be the leader who can hold her accountable as an ED. The cool thing with Amber is that we have a certain level of trust already, so I am just going to let her fly and remember to keep her guided toward the group vision.
Jeff - He is probably the least competent coming into this position. I want to help Jeff to understand that he can make a significant impact on BYUSA by being diligent with his learning curve. I need to be sure to educate him on the proper ways to carry out his programs, and keep his motivation high!
My unique capabilities? Good question... I think I am able to accurately perceive what the needs of others are. I am able to judge their responses to my behavior and make an appropriate decision from there. This has really helped me to see what I can do for others. Since I am grounded in my own life, I am not swayed as much by the actions of others and I am able to expect certain principles. As a leader, I will need to remember to be forgiving when I need to be forgiving, but stern when life calls for stern actions.
Identify in your roles some of the Directive Behaviors and Selective Behaviors you will implement as you work with your ED teams. Categorize them into specific situations where you will use these behaviors and provide a brief explanation about how and why each behavior will be used in that capacity (example: Selective Behavior – Listening, Stewardship Meetings, to let my ED know that I value their feedback and input on matters relating to ……). You can do this in a list or matrix format.
Directive Behavior - Authoritative - Conducting Meetings - I will choose the format of our area meetings and expect that the executive directors follow my outlined structure. That way, our meetings will always be productive and they will stay consistent in their content as a meeting.
Directive Behavior - Driven - Delegation - I am determined about my ambitions and where I want to see them go, so I will ensure that when the actions of my EDs aren't moving in the right direction, I will help them to change.
Selective Behavior - Motivation - Middle of Fall - I feel the like the middle of fall is going to be the next time that I will really need to be the motivating leader on our team to help them be excited about what they are doing.
Selective Behavior - Listening - stewardships - I will listen to my EDs during stewardships because I really do want to know how they are feeling about life and what they are striving to accomplish.
Selective Behavior - Delegating - programs - I will trust my executive directors with the day to day decisions on their programs because that is how they will be able to grow as leaders.
Take a current assessment of the development level of your incoming ED team and identify which leadership style they will initially require from you when they begin in a few weeks. Provide a brief explanation of specific things you will do to help them know you are "relating" to and understanding their development level.
Josh - I don't know if this is possible, but I feel like Josh is currently in the Directing area, but somewhat in the delegating area. Josh has a very high level of commitment, but his competency is very high in somethings and low in other things. I am going to have to work to ensure that he is kept in check to know that he is not always right. Maybe humble him a little bit. :) I know there will be times that I will need to let him go with his ideas, but other times that I will need to ensure that he is properly following the vision.
Christina - I would trust this girl with my life. She is extremely competent and committed! I am so excited to see her as a part of my area. I would expect her to be similar to Josh in her levels of leadership needs. She is very competent in some programs, but less so in some other programs. I will need to be sure to let Christina know that I do love and appreciate her. She will probably need some coaching to feel like she is making a significant impact on SAC.
Amber - Amber needs a friend. I would say that she is probably in the same stages as the others as well, but my actions will probably be a little different. My hope is that I can be her support in life, but remember that I need to be the leader who can hold her accountable as an ED. The cool thing with Amber is that we have a certain level of trust already, so I am just going to let her fly and remember to keep her guided toward the group vision.
Jeff - He is probably the least competent coming into this position. I want to help Jeff to understand that he can make a significant impact on BYUSA by being diligent with his learning curve. I need to be sure to educate him on the proper ways to carry out his programs, and keep his motivation high!
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