For the last week of lecture, we were privileged to hear from a panel of three alumni and how they have used their education at BYU to go forth to serve others. Service has been a recurring theme of my first semester. I've heard from countless speakers and professors about how important service is. This is something that is very unique, and is not found at most universities. The focus of many of my friends at other schools is "I need to do well so I can get a good job and earn a lot of money." While there are some with this attitude at BYU, it is not as prevalent as those that want to serve others.
I was impressed with the panel, because despite their impressive success in their respective fields, they have not forgotten the importance of service. Many of them stressed the importance of church service. While this is not the only service we render, it is very important and should be a priority for everyone. This has been important to me during this semester as I've served as an Elders Quorum President. I've learned that leadership is not always glamorous as some would have you believe. Most of the work my presidency and I do is behind the scenes and no one ever knows about it. It hasn't been easy serving in my leadership role, especially with school and Lacrosse. However, it has been a very rewarding experience. I've learned a lot about myself, others, and the way in which the Church functions. Even though this class is now over, I will be serving in this role for the next semester, and this challenge to serve will be very important. As I keep my focus on serving others, I will be able to enjoy service more, and become a stronger leader.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Change
This week we discussed change, and how to bring it about as a leader. As I think back on famous leaders and their plans for "change", I separate them into two separate categories: those who actually bring it and those you talk about it. In the 2008 Presidential Election, all Barack Obama talked about was "change". I'm not sure that he even knew what this meant! Some say the President had detailed proposals regarding Energy, Immigration, or Health Care when in reality he never did. Two years later, Obama's poll numbers have plummeted, and caused his party to lose the most Federal, State, and Local seats of any party in the last 80 years. Why is this? Because he failed to define the "change" he wanted to bring.
In the 2010 midterm elections, the Democrats saw their support among Independent voters drop by 12%. This drop is largely attributed to disappointment with the President's message. The slogan of "Change we can believe in" was a remarkable strategy to get elected. However, when it came to governing, the same ambiguity which helped him get elected, frustrated voters who all had a different view of what this "change" was. Leaders must be clear when presented a goal, and must present a goal which is attainable and measurable. If President Obama had said "Unemployment is a problem, this is what we're going to do about it...within one year we want the unemployment rate to drop to 7.5%, and then the following year dropping to 7%", there could have been better puiblic reception.
In my calling, I'd like to see Home Teaching improve dramatically. Last month were around 85%. While this is good, I believe we can do much better. We've made an effort to stress Home Teaching more this month, and hope to see our numbers exceed 90% this month, 95% for January, and 100% for February.
In the 2010 midterm elections, the Democrats saw their support among Independent voters drop by 12%. This drop is largely attributed to disappointment with the President's message. The slogan of "Change we can believe in" was a remarkable strategy to get elected. However, when it came to governing, the same ambiguity which helped him get elected, frustrated voters who all had a different view of what this "change" was. Leaders must be clear when presented a goal, and must present a goal which is attainable and measurable. If President Obama had said "Unemployment is a problem, this is what we're going to do about it...within one year we want the unemployment rate to drop to 7.5%, and then the following year dropping to 7%", there could have been better puiblic reception.
In my calling, I'd like to see Home Teaching improve dramatically. Last month were around 85%. While this is good, I believe we can do much better. We've made an effort to stress Home Teaching more this month, and hope to see our numbers exceed 90% this month, 95% for January, and 100% for February.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Goals
The topic of the lecture this week was goal setting, and it was given by Chris Petersen, the President of BYUSA. It was one of favorite lectures of the class so far. We talked about setting goals, and how to achieve them. It really got me thinking about the goals that I have, both short term and long term. Also, I started to reflect on how I am doing in working towards those goals.
At the beginning if this year, for FHE one night we put together a list of goals we wanted to accomplish over the course of the year. I pulled out the list to look at it, and was pleasantly surprised to see I've done a good job this year in working towards my goals. While I will not accomplish all of them, I have done a good job working towards most of them. One idea that Chris had was to put the list somewhere where you see it everyday. This would be good for me, because it would help me to always think about the things I am trying to accomplish, because it is easy to get caught up in life and forget about things.
In my leadership position, I use goal setting on a regular basis. For Home Teaching, our goal is to get 100% of the members visited. This is a tall order, but it is one that we can monitor from month to month, and make an effort to talk to those who might not be going out. With this approach, hopefully we can improve every single month, eventually getting to 100%.
At the beginning if this year, for FHE one night we put together a list of goals we wanted to accomplish over the course of the year. I pulled out the list to look at it, and was pleasantly surprised to see I've done a good job this year in working towards my goals. While I will not accomplish all of them, I have done a good job working towards most of them. One idea that Chris had was to put the list somewhere where you see it everyday. This would be good for me, because it would help me to always think about the things I am trying to accomplish, because it is easy to get caught up in life and forget about things.
In my leadership position, I use goal setting on a regular basis. For Home Teaching, our goal is to get 100% of the members visited. This is a tall order, but it is one that we can monitor from month to month, and make an effort to talk to those who might not be going out. With this approach, hopefully we can improve every single month, eventually getting to 100%.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Teamwork
This week we were able to hear from Tom Holmoe, the Athletic Director at BYU. Mr. Holmoe has been very successful, as an AD, coach and player. As a player, Holmoe won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers, and one more as a coach with the same team. In order to reach this level of success, he must have had to master and understand the concept of teamwork.
Teamwork is often taken for granted by many. I have been on teams in which not everyone has worked well together. No matter the talent of the individuals, the team always fails because cooperation is required. Other teams however have had great chemistry, and as the team worked together, the team succeeded. In lab we were tasked with created a skit within a small group, and use only certain props provided. My role in the group was to help brainstorm for ideas and to act in whatever small capacity my group needed in the actual acting out of the skit.
One important quality of teamwork that our group demonstrated well was the ability to accept everyone's ideas. Not once was someone's idea shot down or discounted because it wasn't very good. This was good because it helped us to all get along, and work in harmony and be more effective. I really liked this, and would like to apply it to my leadership role. In Presidency meetings, sometimes others bring up ideas that I may not think are the greatest or that interesting. However if myself and others treat those ideas with respect and courtesy, we will be more successful as a Presidency by working as a more effective team.
Teamwork is often taken for granted by many. I have been on teams in which not everyone has worked well together. No matter the talent of the individuals, the team always fails because cooperation is required. Other teams however have had great chemistry, and as the team worked together, the team succeeded. In lab we were tasked with created a skit within a small group, and use only certain props provided. My role in the group was to help brainstorm for ideas and to act in whatever small capacity my group needed in the actual acting out of the skit.
One important quality of teamwork that our group demonstrated well was the ability to accept everyone's ideas. Not once was someone's idea shot down or discounted because it wasn't very good. This was good because it helped us to all get along, and work in harmony and be more effective. I really liked this, and would like to apply it to my leadership role. In Presidency meetings, sometimes others bring up ideas that I may not think are the greatest or that interesting. However if myself and others treat those ideas with respect and courtesy, we will be more successful as a Presidency by working as a more effective team.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Ethics and Integrity
The topic of this week's lecture was integrity. Our speaker works in the Honor Code Office at BYU, and it was interesting to hear his perspective on Integrity. One of the major changes coming from my high school to college has been the huge increase in academic integrity. In high school, I'm not sure I took a test or an assignment in which every person was completely honest and did not cheat. On the other hand here at BYU I have not seen or heard of one person cheating.
Integrity also plays an important role in leadership. One of the most important thing a leader can have is the trust of those they lead. This trust is not built overnight, but is built over time as they prove themselves trustworthy and loyal. Those who lead through deception and dishonesty are not able to lead in a Christ-like manner. In lab this week we did a mock trial. It was interesting how differently two people can view a situation. Some of this can be an honesty issue, as some people are willing to compromise their integrity for personal gain. As difficult as it may be, we always need to be honest, despite the consequences.
In my leadership role it is very important for me to maintain my integrity. I have to deal with some confidential information, which at times may be difficult to keep to myself. However it is very important for me to understand my confidentiality.
Integrity also plays an important role in leadership. One of the most important thing a leader can have is the trust of those they lead. This trust is not built overnight, but is built over time as they prove themselves trustworthy and loyal. Those who lead through deception and dishonesty are not able to lead in a Christ-like manner. In lab this week we did a mock trial. It was interesting how differently two people can view a situation. Some of this can be an honesty issue, as some people are willing to compromise their integrity for personal gain. As difficult as it may be, we always need to be honest, despite the consequences.
In my leadership role it is very important for me to maintain my integrity. I have to deal with some confidential information, which at times may be difficult to keep to myself. However it is very important for me to understand my confidentiality.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Servant Leadership
The topic of this weeks lecture was Servant Leadership, given by Brother Cox. He gave interesting insights, drawing from his experience working with student leaders, serving as a student body officer, and serving as a Mission President. There are several approaches to leadership, which involve different motivations. Some seek power and benefits. Brother Cox told a story of a young man who ran for office because he thought he would enjoy the perks of leadership. However a few months into office, he quit because serving was hard work, unlike what he had expected.
Some people seek the opportunity to serve because they love others and love the feeling they get from meaningful service. In my opinion, these are the most effective leaders. Their genuine and worthy aspirations help them serve as well as they can.Even when things get difficult, they are much more likely to keep working hard, because serving means more to them than just getting some benefits along the way.
I can apply this to my leadership role by realizing what my motivation should be in service. By realizing that effective leadership stems from a desire to serve others, I can love those I serve and better understand their needs.
In my Book of Mormon class we've been discussing King Benjamin's sermon to his people in Mosiah. One key aspect of the sermon that i had not fully understood was how King Benjamin viewed himself as an equal, and a servant to his people. Unlike others in the Book of Mormon such as King Noah and Korihor who sought the praise and riches of the World, King Benjamin truly loved to serve his people. I believe this is what made him such an effective leader.
Some people seek the opportunity to serve because they love others and love the feeling they get from meaningful service. In my opinion, these are the most effective leaders. Their genuine and worthy aspirations help them serve as well as they can.Even when things get difficult, they are much more likely to keep working hard, because serving means more to them than just getting some benefits along the way.
I can apply this to my leadership role by realizing what my motivation should be in service. By realizing that effective leadership stems from a desire to serve others, I can love those I serve and better understand their needs.
In my Book of Mormon class we've been discussing King Benjamin's sermon to his people in Mosiah. One key aspect of the sermon that i had not fully understood was how King Benjamin viewed himself as an equal, and a servant to his people. Unlike others in the Book of Mormon such as King Noah and Korihor who sought the praise and riches of the World, King Benjamin truly loved to serve his people. I believe this is what made him such an effective leader.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Conflict Management
This week we discussed Conflict Management. This is a very important topic for leaders to understand well. Things are never happy and perfect like we'd like them to be. We're forced to deal with disagreements and conflicts with those that we work with. A good leader is a good crisis manager. Situations that foster conflict often threaten to tear a group of people apart.
As an Elders Quorum President, it is very important that harmony is maintained among the members of the quorum. Fostering a spirit of brotherhood is one of the main focuses of the quorum. However, there are often challenges, as boys will be boys. I may have to deal with roommates that are not getting along, or Home Teaching companions that are having a tough time together. I believe that the best way to approach this is to be kind and loving. I can play a role in trying to ease the hard feelings some people may have, but at the end of the day, they have to take the actions themselves in order to fix the crisis.
One of my favorite stories of conflict management is John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis. A relatively new President, Kennedy was faced with one of the most serious National Security situations in American history. The Cubans, aided by the Russians, pointed missiles at the United States, in an attempt to put pressure on the new President. Unlike what many would have done, Kennedy reacted in a calm but firm way. We did not send in troops or make the first military move. He decided to set up a blockade. This strategy proved useful, and the Russians backed off. Reacting in a calm but firm way is very important when dealing with tough conflicts.
As an Elders Quorum President, it is very important that harmony is maintained among the members of the quorum. Fostering a spirit of brotherhood is one of the main focuses of the quorum. However, there are often challenges, as boys will be boys. I may have to deal with roommates that are not getting along, or Home Teaching companions that are having a tough time together. I believe that the best way to approach this is to be kind and loving. I can play a role in trying to ease the hard feelings some people may have, but at the end of the day, they have to take the actions themselves in order to fix the crisis.
One of my favorite stories of conflict management is John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis. A relatively new President, Kennedy was faced with one of the most serious National Security situations in American history. The Cubans, aided by the Russians, pointed missiles at the United States, in an attempt to put pressure on the new President. Unlike what many would have done, Kennedy reacted in a calm but firm way. We did not send in troops or make the first military move. He decided to set up a blockade. This strategy proved useful, and the Russians backed off. Reacting in a calm but firm way is very important when dealing with tough conflicts.
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