Monday, April 9, 2012

Networking

What part of networking do you find most difficult? How do you plan to make it less difficult for you?
I find that the most difficult part of networking is making that first initial contact with a person. I will make this less difficult for me by finding ways to network that are comfortable for me. For example, I feel more nervous asking people directly for help, so instead I will build up a relationship through Linkedin or through friendships  that will help me to more easily network.

Now that it is the end of our class, how would have networking helped you as a leader in your leadership role?
Networking would have helped me in my role as Program Director for Service Squad by giving me the opportunity to invite more people to Service Squad. We don't get a large turnout for this program and so if I had a larger network, I could have invited more people to come, which would have made Service Squad more popular.

What will you do specifically to help overcome the fears you identified?
I will try harder to make networks now, such as forming more friendships both within and without my spheres. This will help me develop a habit of forming networks, which will help me connect with others when I need to find opportunities. For example, with the upcoming Spring and Summer terms, I can talk to more people and make new friends, so those people can become a part of my network.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Ethical Leadership

My Personal Code of Ethics: 
     I will strive to emulate the example Jesus Christ set in all of the ethical choices that I make. I will cultivate a love of humankind and I will respect each individual as the child of God that they are. I will express my love for others through selfless service and I will extend grace to others because Christ has so willingly offered me His divine help. I believe that the most important people in my life are my family and I will only make those choices which support the potential of my eternal family. I will gain these attributes of love and respect through being exactly obedient to the teachings of Jesus Christ. I know that He will lead me by the hand in making ethical decisions as I am humble and recognize that my life is in the hands of my Savior. In every choice I make, I will strive to lead myself and others to the true happiness that the Gospel brings.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Self-Respect and Moral Actions (for my Honors 240 class)

       Research has observed that 85% of the world population gets married at least once (Eaves & Robertson-Smith, 2007). Within these statistics, a significant number of people engage in extramarital affairs or abuse their spouse. Considering the various factors that contribute to these inappropriate behaviors—unhappy family lives, addictive behavior, loneliness, the need for excitement, feelings of neglect, and the inability to resist temptation—an underlying foundation for each of these explanations is low self-esteem.    
       A study was conducted in 1985 which researched the correlation between self-esteem levels and maritally violent men. The study was conducted by Diane Goldstein, a private practicing psychologist in St. Louis, and Alan Rosenbaum, an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of the Marital Research Program at Syracuse University. A recent estimate approximates that five to six million children, spouses, and elderly adults are abused in the United States each year (Goldstein & Rosenbaum, 1985), and one-third of marriages are plagued with marital violence (Goldstein & Rosenbaum, 1985). Low self-esteem has long been a factor associated with aggressive behavior in marriage, but this correlation has never before been empirically validated. This study was designed to compare the self-esteem levels of wife abusive men with non-abusive men from both satisfactory and discordant relationships. Goldstein and Rosenbaum hypothesized that the abusive husbands would have lower self-esteem than the non-abusive husbands. Further, it has previously been noted that individuals with low self-esteem may perceive certain situations as threatening to their self-esteem, which will then produce violent activity. Because of this, a second hypothesis was proposed which stated that abusive husbands would be more prone to interpret interactions with their wife as threatening to their self-esteem than their non-abusive counterparts.
       The research was performed through questionnaires taken by 20 abusive husbands, 20 satisfactorily married husbands, and 18 martially discordant husbands. To determine levels of satisfaction in the marriage, a self-report test called the Short Marital Adjustment Test was employed. To determine the self-esteem of the subjects, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale was utilized. To address the hypothesis that abusive husbands perceive their wife’s actions as self-esteem threatening, the Spouse Interaction Test was given, which presented hypothetical scenarios of common conflicts between spouses. The husband then assessed whether he was hurt or insulted by the situations. Each of these three tests used were valid and reliable. 
       The results of the study concluded that abusive husbands did score lower on their self-esteem than the non-abusive husbands. There was also no difference in self-esteem levels of the two non-abusive groups. Further, the results showed that abusive husbands perceived significantly more situations as self-esteem damaging than did the remaining two comparative groups. The results determined a correlation between wife abuse and low levels of self-esteem.
       A second study was conducted in 2007 by Susan H. Eaves and Misty Robertson-Smith, two graduates who received their PhD in Counselor Education at Mississippi State University, which researched the correlation between self-worth and marital infidelity. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant correlation between self-esteem and infidelity.  A questionnaire was submitted to 300 participants and 186 people responded. The participants stated whether they had ever had an extramarital affair, which was defined as kissing or being emotionally intimate, with someone other than their spouse. They also completed the Rosenburg Self-Esteem Scale, which measured the participant’s positive or negative self-concept. The results determined that men with lower self-esteem were more likely to cheat than those who had higher self-esteem levels. Of the women who answered the questionnaire, there was no significant difference in self-esteem levels for faithful and unfaithful wives.
       General Authorities of the Church have taught the doctrine of self-esteem in conjunction with having an inner knowledge of who you are as a child of God. In the October 1973 General Conference, Harold B. Lee gave a talk entitled “Understanding Who We Are Brings Self-Respect.” He made note that many individuals in the world today lack self-respect, or high self-esteem, and they display their lack of understanding through their dress, manners, and permissiveness. They disregard the virtues of chastity and morality, even though these very principles are our anchors in this tumultuous world. President Lee quoted Sir John Frederick William Herschel and Samuel Smiles concerning their views on self-respect: “Self-respect—that corner-stone of all virtue;” and “Self-respect is the noblest garment with which a man can clothe himself, the most elevating feeling with which the mind can be inspired.” President Lee also quoted a mother who wrote him a note that read, “I love America, I love my husband, I love my children, I love my God, and why is this possible? Because I truly love myself.” He expounded on that statement:
Such are the fruits of self-respect. Conversely, when one does not have that love for himself of which this sister speaks, other consequences can be expected to follow. He ceases to love life. Or if he marries, he has lost his love for his wife and children—no love of home or respect for the country in which he lives, and eventually he has lost his love of God. Rebellion in the land, disorder and the lack of love in the family, children disobedient to parents, loss of contact with God, all because that person has lost all respect for himself.
     President Lee explained that we can come to know who we are when we deeply understand the doctrine of the revelation that we are children of God. He mentioned Abraham and his insight that we were intelligences before the world was created. Because we are on the earth at this time, we are considered noble and great. When we realize who we truly are, we will gain lasting and eternal self-respect for ourselves. Having this self-respect will nurture self-esteem and when we think highly of ourselves, we are less likely to be dishonest, immoral, or uncharitable towards others.   

Monday, March 26, 2012

Leading Change

How have you implemented change or would implement change in your leadership role? 
    Considering that there are less than 12 days left in the semester, I think the greatest change that I could implement at this point, would be a change in the individuals who come to Service Squad. BYUSA's purpose is the create leaders centered on Christ and to build Zion communities. I would like to implement this change within the Service Squad volunteers. I think this is the greatest and most enduring change that should be made. If I can help my volunteers become more Christ-like leaders who serve others, I would consider my job well done. 
     I will implement this change by increasing my service towards my volunteers and by showing forth a greater example of divine-centered leadership. I will increase my serve by seeking out each volunteer individually and writing them a personal note, thanking them for their service and example in my life. Doing this will help them realize that they are precious individuals who can make a difference in other's lives. I will also increase my example by striving to be a more Christ-like leader. I will seek out the "one" and strive to give others the opportunity to lead, just as Christ trusts us to lead. Giving others more opportunities will help them serve and lead others. I will start asking other committee members to share spiritual thoughts and to share the vision and mission of BYUSA at the beginning of Service Squad. 

Monday, March 19, 2012

Public Speaking

1. Where have you implemented public speaking within your role?
     I have implemented public speaking every Wednesday when we meet for Service Squad. I have to conduct the meeting and welcome every one for the night. I also share a spiritual thought and talk about what we are going to do that night. Last semester, I was really scared to do that. I decided to have courage this semester, though, and I have enjoyed doing it.

2. What aspect of public speaking are you going to improve on?
     One aspect of public speaking that I want to improve on is to learn to love public speaking. I want to stop being so nervous and to understand that it is just like having a conversation with other people. Instead of worrying so much about what people think of me when I'm speaking. I want to have the motive to help people learn. I need to change my perspective about public speaking.

3. What did you like best or was surprised to learn in Diona’s presentation?
     The only aspect of the presentation that really surprised me was the principle to converse with your audience when you give a presentation. That really is all public speaking is and when I think back on all the lectures or presentations I've seen, the best ones were where the presenter interacted with the audience and acted as if he were just talking with us.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Conflict Management

1. Write down what physiological responses you have when you know you are in conflict.
     When I'm in conflict, my palms start to sweat and I blush. I ALWAYS blush. I also have a difficult time thinking of what to say.

2. List 4-8 steps you can follow to help you manage your thoughts and emotions in a productive way to manage/solve your conflict.
     a. Take deep breaths.
     b. Remind myself that the situation doesn't have eternal significance.
     c. Remind myself that I'm a child of God and that no matter what I say, or if I don't say anything, I am still important and greatly loved.
     d. Remind myself that everyone else is a child of God and that they are important and loved.
     e. Pray for help in staying calm and at peace and to have help in knowing what to say and do.
     f. Take my time in sharing my opinions. I don't have to answer right away. I can think about it for a second and then answer.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Motivating Others

Of the leaders you interacted with, which leader stood out most for you? Why?    
     I didn’t attend class on Wednesday, but looking over the list of leaders that was assigned to my classmates, one of the leaders that stood out most to me was Mahatma Gandhi. He stood out to me the greatest because he sacrificed a lot for the cause he stood for. He also led his followers through his example of sacrifice, which is the essence of servant-leadership.

What did you learn about motivating others from researching your leader?
     The leader I was assigned to research was Marilyn Monroe. I admit that I have never considered her a leader. However, based off of the definition that leadership is influencing another’s agency, Monroe did influence a lot of people. She is an icon and even though I don’t necessarily agree with all of the images and ideas she represented, I cannot argue that she was not an influential leader. What I learned from her about motivating others is to use your credentials and reputation to make a difference. She came from a very impoverished background, but she built herself a reputation and then she used that to influence those around her. I read that she really helped launch Ella Fitzgerald’s career by making a deal with a popular nightclub to have Fitzgerald sing if she (Monroe) would take the front table every night. She used her reputation to help Fitzgerald go after her dreams and goals. This was quite selfless of her because I’m sure it must have taken up a lot of her time to help Fitzgerald.

What new element of motivating others will you apply in your leadership role? How?
     I think it is important to build a good reputation and those credentials will make people more likely to follow my lead. To do this in my leadership role, I will follow through with my responsibilities, be organized and kind to everyone, and willingly volunteer to help others. As people notice these characteristics, they will be more likely to offer me opportunities to lead and this experience will give me the reputation needed to motivate others.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Decision Making

1. Use the 6 C's or Dr. Nielsen's process to discuss a decision you have made in your role. (Go step by step)
     One of the decisions I have made in my role, was my initial decision to accept the opportunity to be a program director for Service Squad. This was a somewhat significant decision that I had to make because being a program director would take some time out of my week and so I wanted to make sure that I wasn't accepting something that I couldn't personally handle. Looking back on my decision making process, I recognize that I used Dr. Nielsen's, or the Lord's, approach to decision making.
          a. identify the problem: the problem I identified was the decision I had to make whether or not I had time to be the program director. My desire to accept the opportunity wasn't in question. I really wanted to get involved. I just had to determine if I had enough time during the week to commit to this role.
          b. pray for guidance: When I found out about the opportunity, I prayed to be guided in making this decision. My involvement as a program director and in other areas within BYUSA is really important to me and it is something I am highly passionate about. Because I was already involved, I prayed to know if being program director for Service Squad was something that was the Lord's will for me to do, or if it was just something that I was interested in.
          c. study the problem: I didn't take too long on this step because this decision wasn't highly significant, but I did study my problem out. I looked at my average weekly schedule to see if I could commit to be in the office during the week and to see if my Wednesday nights were usually conflict free so I could commit to do Service Squad.
          d. make the decision: When I realized that I could orchestrate my time to commit to this, I decided to be a program director.
          e. pray for confirmation: Once I realized what I truly wanted to do, I prayed again to see if it was really the right thing. Immediately, I felt really peaceful about accepting this responsibility and I felt really excited to begin being a program director.
          f. act--do it: I immediately told Mallory that I wanted to be a program director and since then, I've followed through with my commitment to be at stewardships and committee meetings and to be there Wednesday nights to conduct Service Squad.

2. Why can a model like RACE help activities or events run smoother?
     I think that having  a specific outline of what you are supposed to do to conduct and carry out an event is really helpful. People are able to know that they need to research and train, create an action plan, carry out the event, and then evaluate the event. This will make it run smoother because people won't be wondering what the next step is to take, and they will be able to move forward without wasting time.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Balance and Time Management

1. Based on Tamara's lecture, our discussion, and the advice given by your classmates what new goals or time management adjustments are you going to be making and why?
     I was really impressed by Tamara's lecture. One of the points she made that stood out to me most was to change your attitude. I've always thought about managing time as "juggling time" and I loved how she said that we should instead think of it as "conducting or orchestrating time." Juggling time sounds overwhelming and I think it has a negative connotation. I love knowing that you can orchestrate your time into something beautiful, while prioritizing certain parts and making some areas in your life louder than others. A goal I am going to focus on is developing the attitude that it is okay to focus more on certain aspects in my life than others. Sometimes, I feel like I have to do it all and I have to do is all perfectly. However, there are some things in my life that need to take priority and I need to remember that as well as remember that priorities change. If I do this, I will feel less bad and guilty when I feel like I can't do it all. 
     I also really liked what Macy said about being accountable to the Lord for every minute that He gives you. We really are accoutable and it is important to be wise stewards. I've made the goal of reporting at the end of the day to the Lord about how I spent my time. If I do this, I think I'll be able to better control bad habits, such as going on facebook or taking unneeded naps.

2. Define balance and how you implement it in your role or your life?
     I think that balance is best found when Christ is at the center. Imagine your life as a bicycle wheel. In order for it to properly work, you need a center circle that all the spokes lead off of. If Christ is at the center, I think you would realize what is important in your life. I don't think balance is having a certain number of credits or a specific number of hours that you spend with friends each week. I believe that everybody's definition of balance is unique and your personal "balance" can be found when Christ is at the center of your life. In order to implement balance in my life, I strive to make Christ the center of everything I do. I study the Gospel, pray, attend my Church meetings and the temple, and fulfill my Church calling. By doing this, I'm closer to Christ and the Holy Ghost is my constant companion. This means I can receive the personal revelation to know how I should be using my time.
    
3. Give an example in your role where you have had to be an excellent time management leader.
     As a program director for Service Squad, I manage my time by realizing that I can't spend countless hours doing my role. I'm a student, as well as a friend and daughter, and I need time to fill those roles as well. I manage my time as program director by recognizing how many hours I spend in the BYUSA office, so I don't spend so many that I don't fulfill my other responsibilities.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Utilizing Strengths and Weaknesses

1. Give an example of when you have utilized a strength or weakness in your role (you or someone else).
     I have the strength of remembering details that need to be accomplished. This helps me in various aspects in my role as Service Squad program director. I'm able to remember details that need to be discussed during stewardship meetings. I also am able to remember everything that we need to talk about with my committee during Service Squad. I can remember which forms we need to fill out, such as EAFs or meal docs. Remember the details is important in order to be completely organized and on top of things.

2. Think about the strengths of your GPT and how they are working to better your results.
     My Group Project Team has many strengths. Each person contributes something to our group. Cameron is very knowledgeable about business aspects and he is extremely innovative. Matzen is good at delegating responsibility and in taking action. Josh is very creative and is good at coming up with smart ideas. Skyler is good at brainstorming and his soft-spoken manner draws the group together. Everybody's combined strengths compensate for our individual weaknesses.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Teamwork

1.Choose and describe in detail two of the four teamwork stages (forming, storming and norming, performing) you have seen in your group project teams and how it has affected your teamwork.  
   In my group project team, I noticed the forming stage. When we were first assigned our teams, we got to know each other and we learned about each other's strengths. We talked about each person's leadership involvement and why they were taking this student development class. We talked and joked around. This forming stage of our group really brought our group closer together. I think that once a group gets to know each other, then it makes brainstorming and performing the designated activity much easier; you feel comfortable in discussing and sharing your ideas and in addressing conflict.
     I've also noticed the norming stage in my group. This stage is where you know what your project is and as a group, you plan to carry out the project. Once we realized what we were going to do for our service project, we were able to discuss how we were best going to fulfill that. We were able to assign tasks based on group member's strengths. For example, Cameron is really involved in business, so he is going to look into some forms that we can give to the businesses that we ask donations from. Josh is really talented on the computer and so he is going to be in charge of designing the logo of our project.

2. Pick one dysfunction (Ryan's lecture) you have seen in your leadership role and what you are going to do to turn into a function.
     In my leadership role as Service Squad program director, I have noticed the dysfunction of the "inattention to results." This is characterized by forgetting the group's purpose. In Service Squad, our purpose is to serve others and promote the vision of BYU/SA. I think that the volunteers sometimes forget that they are serving others and instead, they focus on just doing the people's dishes or seeing how many trashes they can take out. In order to turn this dysfunction into a function, I will focus more on the end result of serving others by encouraging the volunteers to incorporate this service experience into a life-long habit of service. At the beginning of the meeting, I will ask the volunteers if they had any experience with service or leadership during the past week. By doing this, it will help the volunteers keep a continuous and broad perspective of the purpose of Service Squad. Focusing on the end result, will allow the goals to align themselves in accordance with the purpose of the program.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Communication

Do you think you are effective at communicating and how can you improve?
     There is still much work that I need to do in order to improve my communication skills. I am good at taking initiative to get work done and translating my messages to fit the audience. I'm also good at following through with my responsibilities so others can gain integrity and trust in me. However, I sometimes struggle with involving others and having positive optimism. I need to remember that everyone has ideas that need to be shared. I will try harder to be willing to ask for other's ideas and to be receptive to those ideas. I will also work on communicating messages of hope and inspiration. I will look at the good and positive in every situation, instead of focusing and communicating the negative aspects. Incorporating these skills into my communication within Service Squad will help me become a more Christ-like communicator.

What are some new or different ways you learned to communicate that you will apply to your leadership role?
      I had never heard of having analytical skills in your communicating. I think that is an important quality to have. I will work to listen to what every volunteer in Service Squad and those on my committee say and then gather all of those ideas and incorporate them into the big picture and mission of Service Squad and BYU/SA. 

Realistically, what kind of listener are you? What can you do to become a better listener?
     I am progressing in my listening skills. Oftentimes, my thoughts wonder when I listen to people and I start to think of how I will reply to their questions and comments. However, I need to not do this and I need to fully listen to what people are saying and then after they finish, I can take a couple of seconds and think of my own comments.

Establishing a Vision and SMART Goals

Establish a vision for your role.
  The volunteers who come to Service Squad will feel the Spirit as they serve others, develop their own divine-centered leadership characteristics, and gain a testimony of the mission of BYU/SA.

Which SMART goal do you need to specifically work on or improve?
  I want each person to gain a testimony of the mission and purpose of BYU/SA, which is to develop more divine-centered leaders and to establish Zion communities. I will accomplish this, by teaching the volunteers a quick lesson each Wednesday night about the mission and vision of BYU/SA, so when they go to serve that night, they can share that message with those they serve. I will encourage and help each person understand the mission, so they can feel comfortable in sharing that. I will encourgae them by setting an example and being the first person to share the message with the people we serve.

Use the SMART goals to solve a problem in your role.
  One problem with my role, is I find it difficult to speak in fron of all the volunteers (i.e. conducting the meetings). I will solve this problem by forcing myself to conduct the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month, while Jessica, my co-program director, conducts the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. I will prepare to conduct and share my thoughts on leadership, and then afterwards, I will ask Mallory (my ED) and Jessica which areas I need improvement in.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Divine-Centered

Talk about who you met, what you learned, and what was the most valuable part of the experience.  
   I'm program director for Service Squad and every Wednesday night at 7:00, I have the opportunity and responsibility to serve students at BYU. When the volunteers arrive, we divide into pairs and go to a pre-determined housing complex around campus and knock on their doors, offering our service for the night. I went to Service Squad every week last semester, and I always had a good time, but Wednesday night, I decided to truly get to know my partner's heart. Bromwyn is a senior studying plant and wildlife science. Although several days later, I don't remember where she was from or other details from her personal life, I remember that she is kind and she has a good heart. She wants to be a teacher and she loves serving others.
       I had a wonderful experience that night. I was feeling overwhelmed and stressed when I went to Service Squad that night, and had hoped that some service would lift my spirits. However, I found that the joy and gratitude I gained did not come from taking out some student's trash, it came from talking to Bromwyn, making her feel comfortable and welcome, and truly getting to know her heart. Although, I've had many partners for Service Squad that I didn't know before, I always talked to them because I was program director and it was my duty. I didn't have the right motives. But on Wednesday night, I wanted to get to know Bromwyn because that is what the Savior would've done if He was in my position. He would have loved her because He knew her heart. I made that my goal that night: to learn to love her heart, even if I didn't necessarily know everything about her. I think I realized that goal. I greatly enjoyed my time spent with her that night. Most importantly, I realized that when you have charity for others, you can more easily feel the Savior's personal love for you.  

How will you apply the principles of Divine Centered Leadership to your role?
   As program director for Service Squad, I have the opportunity to be one-on-one with a volunteer each week. I will use this opportunity to truly get to know their hearts. I want to develop Christ-like love for those people and serve them by making them realize their potential as leaders and as children of God. Throughout the coming weeks, I will try harder to get to know other's hearts and have the right motive as a leader.

What does being a “servant leader” mean to you?
     Being a "servant leader" means that instead of bossing people around and giving out orders, you do as Christ did: serve them. Christ was a "servant leader" because He served others and let His example and kindness do the leading. A "servant leader" is someone who devotes all their efforts to serve those who they have stewardship over.  

Monday, January 9, 2012

Intro/Leadership Role

What leadership roles do I have now? 
   I have several leadership roles. I have the continuous roles as a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I serve as the Relief Society meeting coordinator in my ward. I am the vice president on the 3200 hall council in Helaman Halls. I also serve in BYU/SA. I am the program director for Service Squad within the Communications area, and I am also the program director for Honor Choir within Student Honor.  

What leadership qualities do I possess?
   I have the ability to set good examples for others--people notice my actions. I am organized and good at remembering tasks I need to complete, as well as details that need to be attended to. I possess the ability to delegate responsibilities to others. I am good at being realtistic, and realizing which ideas will work for a specific situation and which ones will not. I am compassionate and I truly care for other people and I have the desire to help others reach their full potential.

Which leadership role will I focus on to apply the principles I learn in this class? 
     I will focus on my leadership role  as program director for Service Squad. I choose to focus on this role because I love BYU/SA so much and I aspire to be an executive director. I feel that the necessary skills I learn in this student development class can aid me in becoming a more divine-centered leader of the volunteers in Service Squad. I want to do my very best, so I can prepare for the possiblity of being an executive director.