Reflection #7

1. Considering your role as a leader, Please describe who you view as your “customers” and how you practice the idea of meeting the needs of those customers.

My customers are my club presidents, my administrators, the BYU administration, the BYU student body, and the Provo community. I practice the idea of meeting the needs of those customers by being available and being knowledgeable in my field of expertise.

1. Please describe a time when you have been involved in a significant change. Identify what those who were leading the organization did to help make the change successful or unsuccessful.

When I was VP for my class council in high school we revamped the professionalism and the structure of our council. We created a vision and we shared that vision with our council members and then we created several committees where we appointed committee heads and had those committee heads report their findings to the overall committee. It was super successful and we raised the morale and the commitment of our council for the next 2 years.

1. Describe why you believe that Networking with others, is a vital part of leading change.

You can't know everything, but you can be in contact with others who are experts in their individual fields. You need to be able to connect people and connect yourself with as many variable resources as possible in order to have a total package deal of success.

Reflection #5

1) Do you look for opportunities to recognize and reward others?

I really do try and look for opportunities to recognize others, because of how much it means to me when I receive praise out of the blue from others.

2)Do you praise their effort, creativity, and ability to overcome obstacles?

Yes, because when you specify your compliments they are actually sincere and people truly feel as if you pay attention to them.

3)DO you find ways of providing special rewards for people when they work hard?

I can work on providing special physical rewards rather than solely verbal rewards.

4)Would family members or friends describe you as generous or stingy in giving recognition and praise ?

I would say that I am don't give out compliments on a regular occasion, but when I do give a compliment it is very generous and sincere.

My initiative went well. I didn't do any physical act, but I pulled people aside and sincerely told them a specific compliment. Next time I should work on doing a physical act.

Reflection #4

1. What does integrity really mean to you? How do you know personally when you are displaying integrity?

Integrity to me means when someone who is true to their personal morals and values. They will not abandon what they believe to be correct, no matter the adversity that comes along with it. I know when I am displaying integrity when I testify I know of things to be true. It is not always bold or eloquent, but when I testify, through my words or actions, of those things I know to be true, I know I am being true to myself and displaying integrity.

2. Choose one of the development suggestions, or your own, to work on this week. What did you choose? Why? How did it go?

Something I've needed to work on is developing myself academically. I know that school is important because fostering education is one of the most important things I can do right now in this life. There's that Doctrine and Covenants scripture that talks about how everything we learn in this life, all of that intelligence will go with us into the next life, nothing else will remain except our intelligence. And I know that to be true, and I truly do love learning, but I have neglected my academic pursuits. I am going to schedule out time to do my homework the day before it is due instead of attempting to merely go through the actions and doing it the day of due. I will pray before I study and seek the Holy Ghost's companionship as my teacher as I study.

I did not actually create time to do my homework, but when I did study I sincerely prayed to learn and understand the subject material for added knowledge to take with me in the next spirit world, and I actively sought the Holy Ghost as a teacher in my studies and the blessings from the change of heart and mindset towards that was incredible. I truly loved learning about subjects I never had an interest in previously, and it was because I understood the big picture of why I needed to learn them and I was so grateful for the opportunity to be tested on them.

3. Think of someone you know who displays integrity regularly. What do they DO to demonstrate integrity? How does that impact you?

They are just true to themselves and true to their beliefs. I may not always agree with their viewpoints, but we can get into uplifting and enlightening conversations because we both stay true to the values and beliefs we hold dear, and because we both share our integrity in this way, we are able to broaden the perspectives of one another. I appreciate their opposing viewpoints because it reminds me that everyone has a different background and perceives their world differently than I do. It makes me a more aware, well-rounded person, and it also encourages me to have integrity at all times.
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Reflection #3

1. What are some ways that you have encouraged others to generate creative, resourceful solutions to problems and what were the outcomes? Please use a specific incident in your answer

When I was the co-event lead for Guitars Unplugged, there were several circumstances which required my committee to think creatively in a short amount of time. One of the most difficult problems to solve was the production of the annual Guitars Unplugged cd. My committee had done research on production and studio time that would go into the creation of a cd and when we presented the funding amount required for the production, the Campus Activities vp vetoed the funding because it was too expensive. My committee went back 3 other times finding cheaper studios, etc and finally the vp said that producing a cd was not necessary and a inefficient use of funding. So I went to my team and we brainstormed: how could we advertise and facilitate our 17 bands original compositions to the entire BYU population without producing a cd? While there were several ideas, my team came up with the solution to put the songs as MP3 files on a Guitars Unplugged website that anyone could download off of. While the majority of students were upset at the fact there was no cd produced, the goal to facilitate the band's original songs was successful.

1. In your opinion, what are the most important behaviors (as defined in your student manual) in getting results with a project or problem? Explain why you have chosen these ad use specific personal examples to add merit to your claim.

I think there is one most important behavior and that is taking initiative. A project or problem cannot and will not get results unless someone takes the initiative to start the creative, administrative, etc. processes involved with the project. In the Clubs area, Pete set the bar for taking initiative during the summer months. I felt as if all my programs couldn't really start until the Fall, and Pete also felt the same way, but instead of doing nothing, he created projects to help promote the Clubs area in a different way, which was creating a pamphlet. Something as small as the pamphlet has been helpful in quickly getting important information to a wide audience of interested students who don't have a lot of time.

1. What are your personal strengths in getting results on projects or problems, and how can you use and implement them in your current leadership position to benefit your team?

I am strong in organization and planning. I believe that when a project arises that organizing and planning allows a safeguard to deal with problems in a calm and collected manner. When problems do arise, with a solid foundation, you don't believe the end of the world is near, but you take the problem for what it is, see how it fits into your overall plan and tackle it with gusto. I can implement these into my team by planning monthly activities and area retreats, as well as encouraging my club presidents to plan their events and advertising ahead of time.

Reflection #2

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 am very secure in myself, and this confidence has helped me to stand out from others because I allow myself to fully be who I am in any situation. I don't hold myself back because I am not comfortable with my surroundings, but I am able to consistently be who I am at all times.

I am optimistic. I really do try and not let situations or people ruin my mood and I choose to be happy every day. Many people ask me how I can be happy all the time, and it's because life is too short to be pessimistic and upset over little things which are out of your control.

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

Character is the central component of success. Without strong moral character, strategy is pointless. Strategy can be changed on the flip of a dime if necessary, but character should be stable and solid and truly can't be learned overnight. Character needs to consistently be built upon and improved.

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 will be passionate. I want my club presidents to see the passion I have for their clubs to become successful. I want the excitement and passion I have for the success of their clubs to further excite the passion they already have for their club and have them desire to go above and beyond what they thought was possible for their club. I want my passion for BYUSA in general to be obvious to all those in the office and all those I meet.

Reflection #1

1. Motive is the central element of the Divine centered Leadership Model. Please describe what motivates you to volunteer as a leader in BYUSA.

Building Zion communities through helping students realize their untapped potential. So many students walk around on the BYU campus everyday completely unaware of the incredible power they hold within themselves to accomplish great things. We all have this divine potential within ourselves, however, a lot of students forget where they really come from and what they truly are capable of doing. My greatest motivation is to help students re-cognize, re-alize, re-discover, that they are divine and they have the power to accomplish all things.

1. In the Quote that was a part of last nights discussion, Theodore Roosevelt gives credit in life to those who are “In the Arena.” Describe what you think it means to be in the Arena, and how you plan to be involved this year and throughout your lives.

Being "in the arena" means not standing idly by, and throwing your entire heart and soul into whatever idea or thing you are passionate about. It means you will take the criticism, you will take the hate because you know beyond a doubt that what you are fighting for is the truth. I try to always throw myself into "the arena," whether it be through defending my name, organizations I believe in, my personal beliefs, etc. I plan on being completely honest with all those I serve with. When you are completely honest about whatever your belief is, no one else's opinion really matters and no one else can say that they don't understand who you are. Complete honesty- what I will strive for throughout the rest of my life.

1. Divine-centered leaders need to know each heart. Describe an experience you have had with a leader who has taken time to know you. How did their efforts improve your experience? How can you reach out to those you lead?

When I first became an ED in the Clubs area during last Winter semester, it was right before the ED Winter Retreat. During some free time in the night, Chris Peterson came and sat down next to me and began asking me who I was, how I got involved, my family, my past, etc. I was so taken off-guard because here was a handsome guy, not trying to hit on me, but sincerely invested in learning about the person I was. We got into an amazing conversation and learned a lot about one another. It wasn't that Chris needed my friendship, nor did he work with me at all that semester, he was genuinely involved in learning more about the real me. That one conversation changed my entire outlook on how I interacted with my Guitars Unplugged committee, with other BYUSA volunteers, with my roommates, basically it changed how I interacted with people overall. I realized that service is all about Christ-like love, and you can't exemplify the Savior's love if you don't know who you are serving. All you have to do is give your time, whether it be a listening ear, a helping hand, a sincere compliment, a bear hug, remembering an important event or an unimportant event, all of these small acts of service help show those you lead you are invested in their well-being and happiness and that you genuinely care.