Fall Semester Final Reflection

Jeffrey Whitlock

Nathan Ward

STDEV 358 R

12/5/11           

Final Reflection Paper

                        This semester has been uncomfortable. Often, this word is used in a negative context but I am actually using it in a quite positive way. I say that it has been uncomfortable because I have felt myself continually stretched this semester. And it has been said that when you feel yourself stretching, you are growing. After serving a full-time mission for the church, I felt that I had actually grown tremendously in leadership capacities. However, after two years of less intense leadership practice, I have witnessed my leadership skills retrogress quite a bit. At first, it was rather disheartening; however, I believe that this class has given me effective tools, applicable concepts, and meaningful inspiration to facilitate the growth I needed to return to the level that I was at post mission and beyond. However, only one semester is down, and there is still a lot of leading and growing to do. Therefore, it is quite apropos that I take a moment to reflect on three of the principles that I have learned this semester and highlight how I will apply them to my leadership next semester (I may also be doing this for an assignment, but it will be beneficial nonetheless). The three areas are: servant leadership, character, and focus on results.  

Servant Leadership

To me servant leadership is at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ because Christ’s entire life mission was the penultimate example of servant leadership. Servant leadership is a lot of things but I think that the concept can best be concisely expresses by the words of Thomas S. Monson, “Remember that the mantle of leadership is not the cloak of comfort but rather the mantle of responsibility.” As this quote shows, servant leaders are motivated by love for others and the accountability that they feel for the success, happiness, growth, and development of those whom they work with. I have come to better understand through my experiences this semester that true servant leaders focus on the individual and see them acutely as just that, individuals, rather than cogs in an organizational machine.

So how will I apply this concept to my leadership next semester? I have thought of three specific things that I will do in order to

1.      Develop greater charity by praying for charity: Charity, the pure love of Christ, is the biggest driver of servant leadership. Furthermore, Mormon taught that we should “pray unto the father with all energy of heart” for charity. Therefore, my goal is to pray fervently for charity daily. I believe that as I do this sincerely, and work hard to show kindness to others, then charity will become a greater part of my being.

2.      Change my focus from inside-out to outside-in by thinking more about the wellbeing of others rather than the wellbeing of myself: Stephen R. Covey taught that “You'll find that as you care less about what others think of you and more about what others think of themselves and their worlds, including their relationship with you. You'll no longer build your emotional life on other people’s weaknesses.” I love this quote but it is much easier said than done. After thinking about way to become better at this—though it might sounds strange—I will practice this by pondering about others while falling asleep instead of my usual self-aggrandizing dreaming prior to falling asleep.

3.      Put higher focus on building personal relationship through better planned stewardships: Rather than simply planning for organization needs during my stewardships, I will think of what the individual needs. I will plan sincere questions that check-up on the individual and help me better understand how they are doing.

Character

I’ve grown fond of the quote, “character is the essence of leadership.” I have learned the truth of this statement more profoundly through my experiences this year. Good leadership requires trust from those you lead. Nothing builds trust better than sterling character. As I have lead and been lead, I have come to realize that people are more willing to learn from and be led by those who have a strong character.  Strong character means having integrity, being properly motivated, possessing honesty, and being transparent. Character can be built but it also builds our attitudes and behavior. The model below visually illustrates this:

I believe that having a strong character is one of my strengths, however, I believe that there are two goals I need to make in order to improve my character:

1.      Always Deliver on Commitments by making realistic commitments: I have learned through experience—often frustrating ones at that—that the number one reason why I fail to keep commitments is not usually because I forget but because I make unreasonable commitments; commitments that if I took a second to think about, I would know that I could not keep them. I am confident that if I change this, I will be much better at keeping commitments.

2.      Work on making my thoughts lie in harmony with my actions by thinking about the Savior when I have negative or improperly-critical thoughts

Focus on Results

If it can be said that character is the essence of leadership, then I believe that it is fair to say that results are the purpose of leadership. Without results, leadership is void, hollow, and meaningless. Therefore, I believe that a focus on results is essential for effective leadership. I think it is important to caveat that area of leadership with a personal reminder that I have learned: That in focusing on results, it is important to focus on the right results and to constantly reevaluate and refocus which results you are seeking.

1.      Help drive results not only in the organization but in the development of those I lead by helping those I lead establish stretch goals: Helping my PDs set and keep goals will be a more formalized and routinized process in my stewardships next semester.

2.      Don’t only create results that are explicitly required of me but create results outside of what lies explicitly within my “position description:” Just as the graphic below depicts, I will seek to expand my effort out from what is “required” to that which is needed.

 

Teamwork

1) Give an example of a time in your life when you've seen successful teamwork or collaboration in action. What can you learn from that example that you can apply today?

While playing Rugby at Occidental college, I saw first-hand how how teamwork can make all the difference in world as to whether or not a group has success. Individually, our team did not have any incredible athletes. However, we played as a single unit. This lead tremendous success. We had a strong, winning record and beat much larger teams, such as USC.

Why did we play together as a team? It's because we understood and trusted each other. I think the number one reason for this, and this is a lesson that can be applied today is that we spent time together off the field--we had built personal friendships outside of "work" by doing things together on weekends, travelling together, eating together, etc. I believe that this is an important part of team-building. 

2) What challenges do you face with teamwork/collaboration and how can you overcome them?

I think the biggest challenge that often comes to teams can summarized in one word: differences. Differences of abilities, goals, understanding, buy-in, motives are often roadblocks to a team becoming a single, cohesive unit. However, I believe that this challenge is one that can be overcome--turning a challenge into a strength. Differences can also make a team more robust, nimble, and effective. However, this challenge--like most--can only be overcome when team members are willing to sacrifice and make adjustments for the the good of the team. 

1. What are some ways you can build integrity and trust with your team?

The number one ways that you can build trust with your team is by being consistent in making and keeping commitments. Another way to build trust with your team is by treating everyone the same regardless of who they are or what the circumstances. 

1.  In what ways do you make sure your team is in agreement with a project before moving forward?

By making sure that everyone is on board before moving forward with any project. A lot of groups operate under a "majoritarian" decision making process but the Quorum of the Twelve will not move forward with any decision without complete "buy-in" from everyone involved. I believe that this is a divinely inspired pattern. This accomplished by:

• Trust
• Love
• Everyone being motivated by what's best for the group rather than what's best for the individual
• Compromise 

1. What are a couple of creative ways you can communicate a new idea to your team?

• By telling a choose-your-own adventure story in a compelling way.
• Object lessons
• Games/simulations 

Focus on Results

1) In your oppinion, 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 and use specific, personal examples to add merit to your claim.

Three key skills/important behaviors that I believe to be essential for getting results in any circumstance are:

• Planning and organization
• Is quick to act
• Creates high-performance team

I'll share a personal story that demonstrates the importance of these skills:

I have been involved with many student organizations. Aside from BYUSA, The Management Consulting Club is the most effective and impactful organization that I have seen on campus. The reason for this is that the the leadership demonstrates these three key leadership skills. I have been in organizations--even lead organizations--in which two of these three behaviors were present but the absence of one greatly diminished our effectiveness. For example, while serving as a leader in one organization, I worked hard to plan and organize effectively, acted quickly whenever something needed my attention, but failed--in my estimation--to build a high-performance team. This ended up leaving may overburdened and worn down. I can also think of examples in which the other two said behaviors where missing, leading to a similar result.

2) What are your personal strengths in getting results on projects or problems  I hand how can you use and implement them in your current leadership position to benefit your team?

• Communicating powerfully and prolifically: I can use this strength 
• Technical and professional expertise: I can use this strength
• Netowrking: I can use this strength to help gather information and ideas from people in other networks and organization, bringing fresh insight and perspective to SAC. I can also use my connections to help bring strong, reliable volunteers to SAC to all of BYUSA.

Leadership Skills

1)      Share one personal experience where you have seen the Technical/Professional Expertise leadership competency in action.

While playing on Occidental College's football team, I had the opportunity to play with one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Andy was excellent. He was a leader that worked hard and motivated others. Andy had many strengths as a leader but among his top was his expertise in the position at quarterback. Andy had worked long and hard to refine his skills and knowledge for the position and any time Andy walked onto the field, he delivered results. Among all of Andy's strengths this expertise led to him being a great leader of our team. People trusted him because he knew how to get his hands dirty and perform in way that gave him success but also helped those around him become better.

Sure, without these technical skills, Andy still would have been motivational, a hard worker, full of integrity but he would never have a) been put in a position to have as much impact as he did nor b) been as effective of a leader if he did not posses the skills that acted a catalyst to enable his other skills to shine through.

2)      Share one personal experience where you have applied skills from the Solves Problems and Analyzes Issues leadership competency.

While serving as Vice President of the Utah College Republicans, I had the opportunity to help solve a major problem for the UVU chapter. UVU has long had a strong College Republican chapter but recently, the organization was on the verge of collapsing. The club President, after winning a very bitterly contested election decided to drop out of college, leaving the chapter without leadership. When I became aware of the situation, I had only a few days to reach out to some of the old club leaders, help them decide to step up, and aid them in the the task of rechartering  the club before the University deadline.

3)      How does innovation apply to your specific responsibilities?  How do you show support of innovation in others?

To innovate means to make changes in something established, esp. by introducing new methods, ideas, or products or to introduce something new, There are only two ways to improve: do the same things better or do new things. Innovation is a key ingredient in the former and is essentially synonmous with the latter. In esssence, innovation is essential for improveing effectiveness and efficiency. Without innovation, growth and progress would come to a near standstill; processes and organizations can only marginally improve so far. 

With this in mind, here are three specific ways that innovation applies to my duties:

• Presenting: I can innovate in the way that I present. Rather than simply presenting the same way everytime, I can think of new and creative ways to convey inspiration and inspire.
• Brightideas: I can work with program director to help do things differently and better. Bright ideas is more "open ended" program. As such, there is a lot of room creativity not only in the way we run the program but also the way we encourage innovation in students. In fact, the enitre program runs on innovation.
• Focus groups: Although focus groups is a clearly defined program, I can work with my program directors to think of new ways of working with others within BYUSA and even more avant guarde ways of hosting a focus group.

You can support innovation in others by:

• Listening to others ideas without rejecting them
• Compimenting innovation when you see it
• Sharing your ideas openly and freely with others
• Bounce ideas back in a supportive matter
• Encourage others to challenge the status quo by showing your confidence in them

This is in no way an exhaustive list but they are a few suggestions.

Character: the Essence of Leadership

1. Why is character the center pole of the leadership tent? Give an example of a leader in your life who has demonstrated character and how that affected you.

Character is the center pole of the leadership tent because character is the essence of leadership. Without character, a leader has absolutely no chance of being effective. To me, character is consistency of action in ethics, honesty, and integrity to the point where it is internalized to the very core of the person. An example of a leader in my life who demonstrated Character is President Squires, my Mission President.

2. Share one or two things from the lesson that impacted you personally.  Why? How will you apply it to your life?

I was personally impacted by three principles/insights from last Monday's lesson:

1) It is never too late to be what you might have been: I greatly appreciated being reminded of this principle. I think it is far to easy to get down on yourself and regret about your current deficiencies and past mistakes. I think I find myself doing this occasionally. This time regretting is pure waste, thinking of this principle can motivate one to 

2) Challenge your stories: I loved the challenge to do this. I believe a good leader is always willing to challenge his own paradigms and incorporate the ideas and perspectives of others. I think that this is one of the things that I need to improve on.

3) Take action today: I had a similar experience as the young women who deleted all of here pirated music. I think it's easy to put of little things that dent your character until later--they are important but not necessarily urgent. However, as long as there are dents in your character, you are not as an effective leader as you could be.

Servant Leadership

   1.  In your own words, briefly describe the "servant leadership" model we discussed in class.

Servant leaders have pure motives for service. They serve because they love others and desire to help them. Servant leaders make helping others their highest priority. They judge success in leadership on the impact for good they have in the lives of others, not merely meeting organizational goals and objectives. Servant leaders see their influence as stewardship and not aggrandizing power. I believe that the "servant leadership" model is largely encompassed by these words of Thomas S. Monson, "remember that the mantle of leadership is not the cloak of comfort but the robe of responsibility."

   2.  Identify someone with whom you have been personally acquainted and who exemplifies the concept of servant leadership.  Briefly describe the leadership/life style of this person(s).

I believe that there is not a sole in this world that demonstrates servant leadership as well as my Mother. She is truly a leader both in the lives of her children and others. I think my Mom's success as a leader can be seen in both the tangibles and intangibles: She has sent three sons on missions, all of her children to-date have attended college, she has a happy marriage, and she has seven (maybe only six :) amazing children. However these exterior are only ancillary to the heart of her success as a servant leader. More profoundly, she has deeply touched my life--as well as others, I am sure, but I will only focus on my experience--in many ways. It is from my mother that I have learned what it truly means to be selflessly devoted. I have learned from her example what it means to put the needs of others ahead of your own. She has consistently demonstrated what it means to where out your life in the service of those she loves. I could go on but I will simply say that her leadership style is completely embodied by selfless devotion, pure love, and sacrifice.

   3.  Some argue that a servant leader will not have much success in his/her career because they will give too much attention to others and too little consideration of their own professional advancement.  How would you counter this argument?

I would say that it totally depends on what you define as success--but even then, their argument is shaky. Effective leaders impact and influence the lives of others in meaningful ways. A leader without influence isn't a leader at all and the most effective way to truly influence others is to serve them. I believe that history has reiterated this profound truth over and over. From Abraham Lincoln, to FDR, to George Washington, each of these exceptional leaders made a priority to serve others. This being said, the unquestionably  most influential person of all-time, even Jesus Christ, did nothing but serve. 

Divine Centered Leadership

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


Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines motive as "something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act." I like this definition because it clearly conveys that a motive is a catalyst for action. A motive is not merely correlated with action, it is the impetus of action. Since actions are the consequences of motives, it is essential and instructive to examine the motives behind all of our actions. 


I volunteered as a leader in BYUSA for four reasons (in best to worst order):

• I wanted to serve others
• I wanted to give back to the school that I both love dearly and feel that I owe so much to.
• I wanted to have an engaging experience that would help me meet other people and make new friends.
• I wanted to develop myself as a leader.   

While none of these motives are bad, I must admit that when I began my service at BYUSA they were not in the proper order. However, as I serve I believe that the priority I give these motives is aligning with their real importance.

2. "Each of us might well ask, “In what ways am I shrinking or holding back?” Meek introspection may yield some bold insights! For example, we can tell much by what we have already willingly discarded along the pathway of discipleship."  Describe how you can use this question to help you improve as a leader in terms of the  concept of challenging unrighteosness.

Hard questions are usually hard for one of two reasons: either 1) They are intellectually challenging and beyond our scope knowledge or cognitive abilities or 2) they make us uncomfortable by causing us to challenge assumptions or rationalizations we have made. The question, “In what ways am I shrinking or holding back?” falls in the latter category. 

As I ponder this question, the light of Christ, my reason, and the Spirit will help me identify specific areas in which I am holding back in challenging unrighteousness in my own life and in the lives of others. Even as I consider this question now, I can think of one way in which I am holding back:

I often fail to correct others, even in the right time, because I hate the uncomfortable feeling that come from doing so. I don't like to be seen as "stepping on other toes." However, these are relatively inconsequential if, with a spirit of love and maturity, I work to help other obey the commandments.

3.  Describe an experience where you have had to make a sacrifice in a leadership role.  How did this experience help you improve as a leader?

While serving in a leadership capacity on my mission, there were many demands on my time. It soon became readily apparent that I could not finish everything that was required of me from those I was teaching and the missionaries I was serving while still maintaining the same schedule that I had kept for most of my mission. I had to make cuts to some of the things that I liked to do on P-days and some of the "relax" I had in the evenings. Although this sacrifice was difficult at first, I grew in my ability to make the most of my time and to prioritize things of most important. I often felt stretched, but I learned that when you feel yourself stretching, that is when you are growing the most... 

Delegation, Empowerment, and Follow-Up

The Goal


In order to improve the five core dimensions of empowerment, I will provide support by consistently, thoughtfully, and sincerely offering praise, giving encouragement, and expressing confidence in those who lead me, those I lead, and those I serve. While there are many ways to provide support for for those we serve and those that serve us, this is the specific action that I would like to focus on.

The Method

In order to do this, intend to incorporate it into my current weekly planning and goal setting methodology. Which I am currently re-working in order to incorporate principles taught in 7 Habits of Highly effective people. I will incorporate this action item into my current system by:

• I will set and record smart goals that align with overarching action item mentioned above during my weekly planning session. I will occasionally share these goals with Brittanie and Brother Ward.
• I will make specific plans to implement these goals and align them with my role as ED and goals during my weekly planning
• I will personally asses my efforts on these goals daily during my personal daily accounting to the Lord and weekly during my personal weekly review
• I will ask for feedback and assessment of my efforts in stewardships with Brittanie and and in conversation with Brother Ward.

The Honor Code

1. From your experience, why has the Lord required an honor code at BYU?

The Bible refers to members of Christ's church as a peculiar people. Peculiar is defined as: Strange or odd; unusual. In other words, members of Christ's church are supposed to be different from the world and its ways. As a University owned and operated by the LDS Church, not only should BYU offer a different university experience, its students should also be peculiar and set themselves to a higher standard than that of the world. I believe that the lord requires an honor code to make this ideal a reality.

2. What blessings have come into your life because of your obedience to the honor code? 

There are too many to enumerate. I would say that one of the greatest blessings that has come to my life as a result of the honor is the simple fact that I am at BYU. Prior to my mission, I attended a private college in LA. Though I enjoyed my experience there, on my mission I realized that I simply did not want the remainder of my college experience to be in an environment where I was constantly surrounded by drugs, drinking, and promiscuity. It was this desire for a wholesome, clean environment that made BYU so appealing and erased my other qualms of attending BYU. I can therefore say with sincerity that it is because of the honor code that I am at BYU. Coming to BYU has changed my life in unestimable ways and I am eternally grateful for the experiene that I have had hear.

3. Through your role in BYUSA, in what ways can you 'inspire and educate' other students about the Honor Code?

I can inspire others to live the honor code and other educate others about it by:

• Always living my life as a sterling example of adherence to the honor code.
• Encourage others to live the honor code in all manner of settings, whether it be in the office or in my apartment at 11:59PM.
• By sharing my story about how the honor code has been a shining blessing in my life in contrast to some of my more xxx experinces at Occidental

Being a Divine-Centered Leader of Leaders

In what ways am I a leader of leaders?


Leadership has been defined as “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task." However, I don't believe that this definition fully encapsulates what exactly it means to be a leader. To me, leadership is more all encompassing. It is not simply the to get people to do things but it is any influence one exerts over others that helps them become something. 


Therefore, in a very real sense, everyone with even a modicum of social influence is a leader with his or her own sphere. 


By taking this definition of leadership, it is obvious that we, as executive directors are leaders of leaders. Not only do we directly influence our program directors, we have influence of other executive directors, committee members and and volunteers.

How can the love which I reflect, reflect to volunteers?


President Thomas S. Monson is a prime, modern-day example of letting the love he reflects reflect to those he leads. Using Thomas S. Monson as a model, there are three ways in which President Monson accomplishes this:

1. He demonstrates moral authority: It is very apparent to all that know President Monson that he lives that he teaches. He is an example in word and deed of the love that he so eloquently teaches, advocates, and inspires us to have.
2. The organization which he leads is closely aligned with the values he espouses: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints not only teaches love but it puts it into action in many different ways. If this were not the case, it would be difficult for us to truly know that President Monson loved us. But because the organization he leads embodies the principles that he declares, it is apparent and transparent that love is the guiding motivation of President Monson. This criterion is also directly applicable to BYUSA.
3. He has the image of Christ in his countenance: I love the words of Alma that speak of the importance of having the image of Christ in your coutencance. Christ taught a similar concept when he taught "he light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness." It is often easy to see someone's heart by the look of their countenance. 

As I seek to emulate these three things, I believe that the love I have will be reflected to the volunteers within BYUSA.

How can I be more divine centered leader of leaders?


There are many ways in which I can become a better divine centered leader of leaders but I will focus on three:

• By studying the life of Christ--the supreme example, in fact, the very essence of divine centered leadership--in the holy scriptures.
• By supplicating the Lord for direction from the Spirit in my leadership decisions and for divine assistance in my capacities.
• By consistently evaluating my progress and making SMART goals to improve in areas where it is deemed that I am not performing to the standards that I have set for myself.

While these are three specific actions that I can do to become a better divine centered leader, the most important thing is having the desire to become a divine centered leader and having the Faith that I can, with the Lord's help, become one.

Conflict Resolution

Courtesy of bestteambuilding.com

Prepare


There are many crucial skills that dictate the effectiveness of conflict resolution. Among these, timing is one that is easy to study and implement.


There is an maxim that goes: Praise in public, criticize in private. I am not sure who attributed but I believe that it conveys an important principle of conflict resolution. I think it is important to resolve conflict to a private situation in which those parties directly involved in the conflict are the only that are involved in its resolution--except in the case when a third party moderator is needed.


Consider the following as another aspect of the importance of time in conflict resolution:

"While most studies on peaceful settlement of disputes see the substance of the proposals for a solution as the key to a successful resolution of conflict, a growing focus of attention shows that a second and equally necessary key lies in the timing of efforts for resolution."

It is important to view conflict resolution as one that must occur at a "ripe" time. Some aspects that may constitute a "ripe" time are:

• When passions have died down
• After both sides have had time to more fully consider their situation
• When there is adequate time to fully address the issue. Attempting to come to a hasty resolutions can often exacerbate the situation at hand.
• Awaiting a time when the discussion can occur in private
• Allowing time for both sides to collect their thoughts and truly understand the position, attitudes, thoughts, and ideas that they want to convey
• In cases when one party is at fault, allowing time for the spirit to work on the individual can make a huge difference

There are likely more situations that can help time be "ripe" for conflict resolution but I think the principle skill that needs to be developed is a) being able to identify when a ripe time for conflict resolution is and b) being able to have the self control to wait for that time.

Pounce

I practiced and applied the principle of proper timing in conflict resolution with my little sister this past week. The details of the situation are somewhat personal but essentially, there was a minor conflict within my family. Allowing tension to remain unresolved in family relationships is extremely difficult for me so I wanted to immediately "fix" the problem but I had to use restraint and wait for the "ripe" moment in order to resolve the situation. Currently, the situation in only partially resolved by the timing is not right yet so I will continue to excercise control, patience, and try to be sensitive for the right time to completely resolve this conflict.

Present

I taught what I had learned about this principle to Rachel Smith and explained to her the situation in which I implemented this skill.

What's in a Brand?

“A brand is not a logo. A brand is not a product or a visual identity system. A brand is a person’s gut feeling about a product, service or organization.”—Marty Neumeier

The above quote expresses to me the essence of what a brand truly is. Peoples experiences with an organization are the building blocks that establish their feeling toward your organization.  It takes numerous positive experience to entrench a good image but only one bad experience to tear all of the block down. It is for this reason that consistency of action, attitude, and performance is crucial for constancy of feeling.

I think the importance of being consistent is further driven home by this quote:

"Organizations can give life to brands, nurture and influence them, but they cannot control how people perceive them. Ultimately, it is the people who come in contact with or consume a brand’s services who determine that brand’s meaning and value."

After reading the Marketing and Style guide, the two things I learned that stuck out to me most were:

1. The numerous places methods that are available to us to advertise such as the TVs by Jamba Juice, advertising through the service squad, and WSC table tents.
2. That working with an advertising consultant must begin more than 5 weeks before an event. I just never realized that the timeline for advertising was so long. It is something that is very important to keep in mind.

Group Development

Courtesy of aspireforsuccess.com

Forming, storming, norming, and performing... I really like this model on group development. But like most models, I think it is a useful way of thinking about something and not necessarily a realistic representation of group development. In my opinion, the model captures the reality of group development if it is thought of more of a cyclical, simultaneous process, rather than linear. With this in mind, I think that, to a certain degree, our area time is simultaneously going through each of these stages. Let me illustrate:

• Forming: Our group is still working out more of the fine details of who is responsible for what and how each person will "fit" into the whole.
• Storming: There has actually been very little outward storming--everyone in our group is quite tactful--put I do think that some internal storming has been occurring.
• Norming: Groups patterns, culture, and protocol is currently being established e.g. Fiesta Friday, "irregardless," and how to best correct others.
• Performing: I do feel that our groups is being productive and performing to a certain degree.

As I said, I am not sure that a group can ever completely be entirely in the performing stage but I will do my best to help my team stay primarily in the performing stage by working hard, being respectful of others, following group norms and protocol, and by seeking to compromise and avoid contention whenever possible.

Similarly, I will do my part to help BYUSA as a whole stay in the performing stage by doing these same things but by also working diligently in my defined role, encouraging others to do the same, and by seeking to always help newcomers assimilate by befriending, welcoming, and including them. 

It Aint About the Money...Well Sort Of.

In what ways can BYUSA's financial processes help me in managing my own finances?

Most sound advice on personal finances is that the most thing about personal finance is not--contrary what most people would think--how much you make but what and how much you spend. If someone can master the way they spend, they will be able to be successful in their personal finances.

I am sure that there are others but I am sure that it is in this way that BYUSA's financial process can help me in my personal financial endeavors. in the following three ways:

• All expenses in BYUSA fit within a larger budget:
• All expenses are deliberate:
• All expenses are recorded:

How will you makes sure each new person in your area is trained and held accountable for our financial processes?

I will make sure that each person in my area is trained and held accountable for finances by:

1. Giving clear, concise training--in addition to the certification process--on how BYUSA's financial processes are to work. 
2. I will review and references these principles in regular meetings and interactions.
3. I will follow up and  require reports on finances during my personal stewardships with my PDs 

Volunteering to Help Create a Zion Community

Courtesy of  http://www.volunteerscreening.org

Why do I volunteer?
I volunteer for so many reasons. I volunteer...

• to gain experience
• to feel as if I'm a part of something greater
• to give back in anyway I can for all that I have been given
• because I feel good when I do
• as a way to get to know other people
• it is a commandment to serve
• because I know it is the right thing to do.

In what ways do you contribute to the culture of the office?

I personally contribute to the office culture through my Tweets, being friends with others, saying hi, trying to be friendly and positive, attempting to work hard and stay of task....Actually, as I think about it. A better question is: In what ways do myself and others not contribute to the office culture? I can't see any.

In other words, every action--in some way--contributes to the culture that we are creating in the BYUSA office this year. Thinking about it this way makes me feel a lot more responsibility towards the way I uphold myself while in the BYUSA office.

What can you do individually to help make our BYU a Zion community?

Courtesy of http://www.mindtools.com

I hope this counts as answering the question but there I want to answer this question in a slightly different direction. There are a lot of things that I can do, but there is one thing that I want to set a strong goal to work towards and that is consistently greeting--at minimal smiling at--people as I walk by them. The people of Sierra Leone taught me an amazing lesson: To greet people, even complete strangers, as you pass. In fact, if you pass someone there without greeting them, they will get offended and feel that you are rude. Everyday, we pass numerous people. Imagine how much more friendly the world would be if we just took half a second's thought to smile and wave...

Getting to Know Someone's Heart

I really appreciated Brittanie Steele's invitation to get to know the heart of a fellow member of BYUSA. It is my opinion that, to often, our relationships hover around the superficial and mundane. As a result, we frequently "get to know people" without even coming close to scratching the surface about who these people are--their hopes, fears, attributes, and opinions that make them a special, unique individual. It is for this reason that I was grateful for such an assignment. I am goign to take some liberty here and write about two special people that I feel that I have gotten to know their heart, at least to a small degree.

Brittanie Steele:

Brittanie is a very interesting person. She is one who cannot easily be put into any single personality category. She is organized, with strong will and determination, yet extremely kind and sensitive towards others. She has lofty goals and aspirations but she serves because she truly wants to help and make a difference. She is very friendly and social but refuses to get on Twitter. But most importantly of all, I know that Brittanie loves others because she loves the Savior and tries to be like him.

Andrew Grisson:

Is likely one of the most genuinely kind people that I have ever met. His smile and excitement at meeting others radiates his love and concern for them. Andrew is one of those people being around them just makes you feel better. 

I am excited for the opportunity to get to know Andrew and Brittanie better as well as the rest of the BYUSA gang!

Professionalism and Protocol

Professionalism implies a level of skill and competence in order exceed in a professional setting and to contribute to the values and aims of an organization. Professionalism is both a code of conduct and an overall approach to being productive and creating value. Credibility implies trust and trust is built through a consistent pattern of behavior. When professionalism  permeates an organization, that organization acts in a consistent manner in which all can rely. It is in this way, among other, that professionalism builds trust.

Organizations use protocol because they function best when organizational friction is the least. Organizational friction occurs when there is a lack of understanding or absence of confidence in systematized processes. By establishing concrete, tested, and sustained protocol, business can avoid many of the inefficiencies that result form a lack of these crucial characteristics. Protocal creates an environment where all people within an organization know and understand what route to follow when there is something to be done. But the need for protocol is even deeper. Protocol permeates interpersonal relationships, technology, cultures, etc. It is an enabler of connections. For example, language, one of the most essential mediums of communication is, in essence, protocol. Another example is computers. Protocol is what enables computers to communicate, connect, and share effectively. It is clear then.

Divine Centered Leadership

I both love and wholly endorse what President Spencer W. Kiball taught when he taught "we will find it very difficult to be significant leaders unless we recognize the reality of the perfect leader, Jesus Christ, and let him be the light by which we see the way!"

So how can I better bring my leadership in line with Christ's great example? As instructed on Wednesday, a lot of it has to do with two things: our motives and who we are-- the core of our person, character, and being.

So what is my motive for service?

I serve for many reasons and some are certainly better than others. It's certainly not admirable but I wouldn't be being completely candid if I didn't admit that a small portion of my motive for service is worldly accolades and recognition. Another motive is duty because I believe that I am obligated to serve others by the commandments that I believe and have committed to live. Another motive that impels my service towards others is the feeling of satisfaction I get, the "warm fuzzies" that come from lifting a heard that hangs down or brightening someone's day. Finally, the best and most pure motivation for serving others is the love that I have for them and for God. Unfortunately, this motive is not always at the front of my mind and I certainly would benefit from kindling the fire of this motive. I pray that I serve this year, this will become the most prominent of my motives for service.

My Reflection on the BYUSA Mission

What the BYUSA Mission means to me:

A Sense of Belonging: belonging to me, is one the things that can completely determine how one feels about their college experience. If one can--their through their own engagement or the fellowship others--feel that they belong to a campus community, their college

       Refined Skills and Talents: College is all about this. it is a time to better prepare yourself intellectually, emotionally, and physically to prepare you for a fulfilling and meaningful life.

       Divine-Centered Leadership: One of the best things about serving is BYUSA is that we truly can recognize Jesus Christ as the great example of leadership and collectively work towards following Him.   

       Meaningful Contributions: Success in any organization doesn't come from the one but from many. I think believe that it is very important for all BYU students contribute to the larger campus community in their own unique way.

       Commitment to Future Service: Enter to Learn Go Forth to Serve. I love this BYU motto and I wholly endorse it and believe that it is because of the principle of this model that BYU exists today.

       A Spirit of Honor: This is probably one of the single biggest reasons that I came to BYU. I love the honor code and the honor that it represents in all other aspects of our lives.

My To-be List

Lynn G. Robbins remarked that "many of us create to do lists to remind us of things we want to accomplish. But people rarely have to be lists." In response to this counsel, here is my "to-be list" in progress:

1. Be Humble
2. Be easy to be entreated
3. Be Patient
4. Be diligent
5. Be knowledgeable 
6. Be a better friend
7. Be good listener
8. Be a man of integrity
9. Be reliable
10. Be committed
11. Be disciplined
12. Be sincere

RACE: A Tool for Success

RACE is a systematized process for conceiving, planning, implementing, and evaluating events. Race prepares us as individuals to become a more successful leaders by helping us be more organized and effective in our event and logistics carry out. As we learn and familiarize ourselves with the RACE program, through implementation, our overall organizational effectiveness will improve.

I plan to use the RACE process on a larger scale as an undergirding foundation for the design and implementation of the Bright Ideas program. I also intend to use it on a smaller scale for each individual focus group. It also may be a useful tool for surveys but I believe that I must better familiarize myself with both the RACE method and the Surveys program before I know how to do so. Obviously right now, this response is a bit nebulous. However, I believe that these ideas will crystallize as I move forward and gain a better understanding. When this happens, I will update this post.

Implementing the Vision

The BYUSA vision reads:

"As a part of a BYU education, the Student Service Association's vision is to be leaders centered on Jesus Christ, who contribute to the building of Zion communities which are united in heart and mind that there be no intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, or physically poor among us."

This vision surely captures the high reaching goals, aims, and objectives of the Brigham Young University Student Service Association and seeks to define the ideal of what we are working to help BYUSA become. The vision simultaneously inspires in the abstract while conveying fundamental, solid principles and values by which we can obtain this vision. 

This year, I have committed to serving as an executive director in BYUSA, in making such a commitment, integrity requires that I not only commit to the mundane, more superficial "requirements" of the position but that I also dedicate myself to helping accomplish the more lofty aims of the organization. As such, it becomes important to answer the questions: How will I implement the BYUSA vision in my role as an Executive Director for the Student Advisory Council?   

I will not pretend that I truly know the full extent of the answer at this point; experience will undoubtedly give much needed insight. However, I know that it will in involve at least three commitments:

1. I will first seek to learn, understand, and subscribe to the vision: How can I implement a vision as a leader if I, personally, do not understand it and have not bought into its ideals? The truth is: you can't.
2. I will seek bring personal life in agreement  with the principles laid out in the BYUSA Vision: I know that as I seek to center my personal life on Jesus Christ and work towards building Zion-like communities in my apartment, family, social circles etc., these efforts will manifest themselves in my leadership. 
3. I will commit to amenably support and sustain my leaders in both their own efforts and guidance: Sam Rayburn, the longest serving Speaker of the U.S. House of Representative, declared "you cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too." 

I look forward to an exciting and engaging year of service as I work to contribute, in my own small way, to seeing the BYUSA vision come to fruition.