Divine-Centered Leadership

Divine-Centered Leadership was probably the best 44 page text I've ever read. I am so pumped to have this knew knowledge and perspective on leadership! And I really think that this lesson will help me to become a better leader as well as disciple-scholar. I hope to embody the characteristics of a divine-centered leader this semester and for the rest of my life. I'm really glad that a hard copy was available for me to hold on to too so I can read it again later or share it with people. I think my dad, who I interviewed for my paper, would really love to read it. He and my mother are definitely two candidates for great divine-centered leaders that I know. My father has always done his best to model the way, the truth, and the life. While my mother has always been incredible at knowing each of her kids' hearts. And both did an awesome job of sharing the inspired vision of the gospel and its restoration, and they have done so much for my siblings and I that they have surely served us so that we may act. They also served us by teaching us which better enabled us to act and in doing so they also challenged unrighteousness by instilling righteous values in us. And most important to me was their motive, they did all these things for me, my brother, and my sister, so that we may grow and come to be more like our Savior so that we may return to be with Him. They're motive was love, at its purest degree. I think this is why the thing that stuck out the most to me in the reading is the motive that a leader bases their leadership on. I thought the concept of "What Would The Lord Have Me Do?" was so cool and that is something that I look forward to applying to my leadership role and life. Another part of divine-centered leadership that I really want to improve on and apply in my leadership role is Knowing Each Heart the best I can by really getting to know all the guys on my floor. And then I hope I can challenge unrighteousness by encouraging them to adhere to the Honor Code and do things that invite the Spirit in preparation for their missions. I plan to model this for them the best that I can so that I live what I encourage them to do. Lastly, I plan to make it known unto each of them that I am always available to help and serve them. I really look forward to becoming the best divine-centered leader I can and coming closer to God in the process.

Leaders from History Help Teach us Today

Today, we talked about the impact of historical leaders on the way we lead in our lives today. We can learn much from their examples because we can see the outcomes of their leadership efforts. Certain patterns of the most effective, good leaders can also be brought to light. They all had something to offer their followers and they were going against the grain when they voiced their visions and goals. What I liked most about our discussion today was talking about how a great leader is either classified as good or bad. The difference we established was that good leaders that are great at their leadership efforts have a concern for the whole and want everyone to benefit from their goal and actions. Comparatively, a bad leader is willing to neglect, abuse, or enslave a group in order to get gain for only their followers or themselves. Some wonderful examples from class were Gandhi and MLK Jr. as good leaders and Hitler as a bad leader. They all were great leaders but the difference was how they achieved their goals. Another great side note from today was that attitude is not taught, but caught. Accordingly, I feel that I can apply all these things to my leadership role for the semester. It will be important that I be sure to communicate and promote the activities and other things that the Floor Council will have to offer the guys. Furthermore, the activities that we plan can be a little more creative than the norms. Additionally, it is important that I make sure that as a council we keep everyone's interests in mind and work to please the floor as a whole and be sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and benefit. Also, I need to keep in mind that the attitude that I have about the things the council is doing or planning will diffuse to those around me. In these ways I believe I can apply the things I learned today in class to my leadership role.

Effective Leaders Lecture Application

This week's lecture helped me learn new and remember old ways for leaders to be effective in their leadership efforts. It was a huge help to establish some traits and characteristics of an effective leader in class and then reflect on how I measure up to those characteristics and identify areas where I need improvement. I am still working on reorganizing my hall's Floor Council and selecting individuals to serve as members of the Council. However, as I work on this I have thought about how I need to present myself from the start in order to be an effective and respected leader by first showing respect and love for those on my floor that I serve and especially those that I ask to serve with me. I definitely have become more conscious of my image in the best ways possible and think about what it communicates to those around me.

Finalized Leadership Role Definition

So I have had the opportunity to become my Floor Council President in Helaman Halls On-Campus Housing for the second semester. I feel that in this leadership position I will have the opportunity to influence others, specifically the other young men on my floor of Merrill Hall. As Floor Council President I will have the opportunity to reorganize the Floor Council for this semester and put others in leadership positions within the council to help them grow as leaders among their peers. I will plan and administrate floor activities approved by our floor's RA and work to increase activity attendance from last semester. I will see to it that needs of the members of our floor will be brought to attention so that we may work together to assist one another. Ultimately, my goal in this leadership position is to unify the members of my floor and establish life-long friendships.

Leadership Role Definition

Still workin on this one, I'd like to brainstorm or talk with Tamara or Selina a little today in Lab. However, I do have some ideas:
         -Serve as/ improve as a leader to my siblings.
         -Serve as/ improve as a leader in my calling as Ward Activities Leader's Assistant (probably not my first choice).
         -Serve as/ improve as a leader in my on-campus housing complex.
         -Serve as/ improve as a leader to my roommate and close friends on my floor.

Mind Bloggling...

Woohoo!

Still workin on deciding on a leadership role...