Brother Cox's Lesson on Good to Great Leaders

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?
Well this is a convenient question because Tamara ask me to make a list of the strengths that I have to share with others. I made a list of ten and so I think I will just share them all.

1.) I am good at listening to others' ideas, worries, and experiences.

2.) I have a deep love for those around me, and try to make sure I am always being mindful of them and what they need most.

3.) I have excitement for life.

4.) I am good at one-on-one conversation.

5.) I am good at making people feel needed and of worth.

6.) I am good at seeing the good in others and knowing what each person would be good doing.

7.) I am good at keeping commitments. How I spend my time reflects what I care about.

8.) I am good at being happy around others even when I am not happy on the inside.

9.) I am good at innovation and trying new ideas in hopes of making things better.

10.) I am good at acknowledging others' opinions and applying them to what I am doing.

2. Why do you think General Norman Schwarzkopf felt that character is more important than strategy?
I think he feels that character is more important because it doesn't matter how much strategy you have, if you don't have character you will not be a successful leader. Character is such an important component of leadership that you cannot be a good leader without it. Strategy is nice, but you can still be a good leader without it. Another reason is that one can learn strategy through others, but one cannot learn character. Character has to come from within and is linked to your desires.

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 think in BYUSA I will choose being happy around everyone as my "hedgehog". I think this is something that can be hard at times, but is very necessary to having successful events and event leads. I think people need to feel good about what they are doing in order to do their best. I think people are more willing to work hard on something if they are encouraged and feel like they are good at what they do. People often live up to the standard you set for them. I want everyone that volunteers under me to give their very best because I was excited about what they were doing and they felt encouraged and empowered by me.

Divine-Centered Leadership Class

This class was taught by Nathan Ward on September 13. He sent us the following questions to respond to:
1. Motive is the central element of the Divine centered Leadership Model. Please describe what motivates you to volunteer as a leader in BYUSA.
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.
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 responses to the questions are as follows:
1. I think the main thing that motivates me to be a leader in BYUSA is the service. I love to see the effect that service in BYUSA has on the people who volunteer within the office. I also love to see the effect that the service has on the students they serve as well. It is a wonderful cycle and every single person benefits. On a more selfish level I serve for the people I get to interact with on a daily basis. The people within BYUSA are the best of the best! They are always inspiring me to be a better person and I know that I would not be the person I am today without their influence in my life. Finally I serve because of the BYUSA vision. The idea that we are building Zion communities that are united in heart and mind gives me chills! It is such a wonderful concept and I want to be a part of it!
2. This quote instantly reminded me of the quote by Sister Hinckley that says,
"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.

I love this quote because that is exactly how I feel and I need to remind myself of this daily. I want to make sure that I am always getting down into the Arena. That I am being a part of everything that is good. I cannot put things off for tomorrow. I must do them today! I plan to be in the Arena this year by going to all of the events and volunteering as a regular volunteer. I plan to do this for the rest of my life by always getting involved with what is "virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy". I do not want to ever turn away from a good thing because of the difficultly or the time burden. I will always do my part and join in with those who are doing good.
3. One person that I can think of that is not a conventional leader in my life, but definitely a leader in my eyes is my Aunt Kirsten. She is a divine-centered leader in my life because of her example. She is literally the person I want to be. She is so caring and loving towards all that she meets. When you talk with her you can tell she is listening and wants to be talking to you. While she lived in Provo she would come and pick me up every Monday evening to have dinner with her and her husband. She truly cared about me and showed it through her actions and commitment to spending time with me. She also always put the Lord first in her life and you could tell just by a simple conversation with her. She would always find a way to reference the Savior. I will forever remember her guidance in my life and discovering who I want to be and how I want to live my life. I will do the same thing through small acts of service. I want those that serve around me to know how much I care and appreciate their work through my actions. I want them to always feel the love I have for them through my attentive listening and through asking questions about their lives with genuine interest. I think as I follow these steps that those I serve will feel that effort and that it will better their experience as I come to know their hearts and reach out to them.

Welcome to My Lessons Learned Blog!

Bekah's Lessons Learned is a blog to record my experiences in BYUSA while striving to become a divine-centered leader. I am excited to record the lessons that I learn during my service with BYUSA. I learn so much everyday and I think it will be good to record it for reflection and guidance later in life. I hope you enjoy reading as well!