Response Questions: Sept 27

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.

The most recent example I can recall was within the BYUSA office. In a stewardship, Sterling challenged me to delegate responsibilities to my EDs so that I am less stressed and my EDs would have an opportunity to learn and then delegate to their PDs. I had a stewardship with Morgan and he told me that he is having a hard time finding people for his film team. I told him a way I found branding committee members last year was I announced in an advertising class about the opportunity to serve on a branding committee. I also told him that since he wasn't directly over the committees, he should have his PDs make announcements in the specified classes.

2. 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 and use specific personal examples to add merit to your claim.

a) Has a clear vision of desired results
b) Planning and organization
c) Creates high-performance team


a) Without a goal, the other attributes would benefit nothing. On my mission, when planning a baptism for an investigator, my companion and I set a date for them prior to our lessons and planned out the necessary steps for them and for us to work towards their baptism. If we didn't set a date, the steps we knew were necessary for a baptism to occur would not have been accomplished efficiently, or even at all, because there was no motivation for an end result. 


b) In relation to my first example, once a goal is selected a plan is essential to ensure that the goal is accomplished by the select deadline. Also with planning, minor details are recognized and not overlooked. 


c) An example of a good leader is one who motivates, not directly, but through their own performance and attitude throughout the project. What is important to point out is the fact that the leader is not just a leader, but also a participant. I feel that many people within a team can be a leaders, everyone has their different strengths. A personal example is when the presidency worked on Involva-palooza. Chris was a great motivator. He made assignments and dealines and was diligent in following up with each of us.

3. 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?

As mentioned in a previous response, I learn from my mistakes and I like for all of my projects to be perfect. I do my best to look at the project as a whole and map out the steps that I will need to take in order to achieve my desired outcome. I tend to notice operations that could be more functional, whether it is an unorganized space or process of paperwork.

With my team, I hope to notice dysfunctions or opportunities for growth quickly. I also hope that I can gather my team early with a project, point out our goal, map out our steps, and assign duties for each step. It is also important to create deadlines to keep everyone on task. This is most important when working with a team.

Response Questions: Sept 20

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 really don't like pointing out my strengths because some people may not recognize these qualities in me.
a) But I have noticed, and it's been pointed out to me, that when I am given an assignment and first dont' succeed, the next time I have the opportunity to perform the same task, I learn from my failure and improve my performance and outcome. I generally tend to go above and beyond what is expected, and then I tend to shoot too high and don't complete all that I need. But then I learn from experiences like that where I plan out my steps the next time.
b) This is something that is a bit on the personal side, but another quality that has been pointed out to me. In my patriarcial blessing it states that I will be of compassionate service to others and people will come to me for guidance. I feel that I have in some ways lived up to my potential. Thinking back to high school, I have a lot of friends that came to me for solace. Maybe because I grew up as the only Mormon in my graduating class and total of 3 other members in my high school, so most of my associations were with non-members that maybe saw me as someone which a greater perspective. I also felt that I had an extra measure of expectation upon me, so i behaved accordingly, and that's maybe why others felt they could come to me to share their troubles or find advice. I think that because many people came to me with their problems, and all I could do was listen since I didn't know how to help them, I have developed an understanding and compassion for others. I try not to be judgmental and be more understanding of others' behavior, beliefs, values, and circumstances in life.

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

I think that if one focuses on their character, then strategy will come. I feel that they define strategy as the guts to why and how. But without focusing on those details, if someone has a true and strong character then a strategy will be natural in the how and what they do. 

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 hope to be able to not only explain the BYUSA vision with great spirit and passion, but I also hope to portray it through my service and interaction with others in the office and even outside of the office and school.

I also hope to be a leader of respect and fun. If I could be the best at anything, I would want to have the perfect mix of being bold, responsible, welcoming, happy, and an example of divine-centered leadership

Week 3 Class: Brother Cox

Basic Principles of the Extra-Ordinary Leader

1. We will not focus on weaknesses

2. You don't have to be good at everything

3. Two or three strengths will set you apart from the crowd

Compare a Show Horse and a Plow Horse

What kind of leader are YOU going to be?

Response Questions: Sept 13

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

When I first joined BYUSA in 2007, I initially intended to volunteer my time and effort in order to contribute my ideas to benefit the students. I also felt it was a great way for me to practice advertising since I intended that to be my future major. In the same sense, when I began volunteering again after my mission, I wanted to be part of a group who also developed creative and effective advertisements to help promote service across campus. I did not join BYUSA intending to be a leader. Becoming the Assistant to the President of Communications was not a position I strongly desired to have, mainly because of the large time and energy commitment required. However, I felt it was the next step for me to grow and contribute my talents by helping communicate to BYU students the opportunities for them to serve and to promote the divine-centered vision of BYUSA. I am grateful for my opportunity to be in a leadership position, but am more grateful for those I associate within the office because of their examples of leadership and service.

2. 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.

To be "In the Arena" is to be a fully-invested participant. If you want something done, you cannot be a spectator. You have to get into the situation expecting to give whole heart, mind, and strength; sweat a little, get dirt on your face, and you may get hurt, but you'll get back up and do better.

The way I plan to be "In the Arena" this year in BYUSA, is to be fully focused on my duty and responsibilities in my area. I will remind myself of the vision so that all my projects and efforts reflect the purpose the organization as a whole. I also want to be sure I concentrate my time in the office to the duties expected of me so that project are carried out quickly and efficiently. And as many ideas I have and as much as I would want to take a lot of the credit for the accomplishments this school year in Communications, I also want to allow other student volunteers in the office the same amount of opportunities and growth available.

In applying the concept of being "In the Arena" to the rest of life, when faced with a challenge or an opportunity for growth, I want to put forth my whole heart into it and to not be afraid to get hurt, tired, stumble, or fail. As long as I persevered until I have accomplish what was necessary, I know that I have done what I needed to do.

3. 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?

My Young Women's President!! I love her dearly! When I was the Laurel's president, I worked with her closely to understand the needs of the girls in Young Women. She supported me in my calling, but also was interested in my schooling, work, dance, family, and boy life. She was not just a leader, but also a friend for me. I really appreciated her love expressed for me because there were times when I did not feel like anyone else cared about me. I remember one particular time during my senior year of high school that she took me out to lunch. I will always cherish her friendship and Christlike example of knowing individuals and knowing what I needed. Because of her example, it encouraged me to be more focused on the girls I was to focus on and serve in our Young Women, especially in Laurels. She helped me know how to be a good friend, gain trust and respect, and to express love and gratitude for those I was called to serve.

I hope to be the same leader to those I serve in the BYUSA office by not just seeing myself over an area and over people, but to understand each individuals' needs and be their friend. I don't want to just lead, but also follow. I feel that I can learn a lot from those that are in the office, even if they only come into the office once a week as part of a committee. I am excited for those that I will be meet throughout the semester and hope to gain a stronger character because of the examples around me.