Dean Heperi

1.  Describe three different ways that you have made your love for students you lead visible through work you have done.

I think the biggest way I have shown my love for students is by trusting them, allowing them to take the lead and possibly stumble a bit but learn in the process. I have also shown them love in the time and effort I put into my calling. Another way I show love is through the respect I show students. I don't talk down to the or ignore their opinions and input. I respect them and the leaders they are as individuals.

2.  Dean Heperi talked about the importance of truly loving those you work with enough to help them improve.  Please describe a time when you have had to help someone by having a difficult conversation about their need for improvement.  Please identify what things you said that helped you in this experience.

I was struggling with someone I've been working with not pulling their weight. It was hard to approach them because I know they care so much and weren't intentionally slacking. I didn't necessarily have a conversation with them but I slowly gave them responsibilities and if they didn't get it done I did't do it for them either. I realized that I had been holding them back earlier by enabling their actions and covering for mistakes. As I let them stubble and figure out their own solutions they grew as a leader and became much more efficient and trusted to get the job done.

Sue Murie

1. Sue described several myths about careers.  One myth she spoke of was the one that identified the major you choose now will lock you into your career.  Describe at least two different career paths you have had interest in throughout your college career.  What classes have you taken that have exposed you to possible career paths?

This has been a big issue with me in my experience here at BYU. It took me a very long time to finally choose between the two career path option. The first one was nursing. My dad is an ER Physician so work in the medical field has always interested me. I had taken and loved biology classes as well a chronic disease class while at BYU. I also love public speaking so broadcast journalism has interested me and is what I ultimately chose. I have already taken my 3 prerequisite classes here at BYU and throughly enjoyed them. I can't wait to get started in the program.

2. "When I find my calling, work will be bliss." Please describe how this statement is a busted myth.

This is something that I always struggle with. It is easy to get stuck in the mindset that as soon as such and such happens "I will be happy." However, that is just simply not true. If you allow yourself to get caught in that trap I truly believe you will never find happiness. President Monson has stated that we must "find joy in the journey." I believe this applies to our individual career paths. No matter how much you love your job or how great of a fit it is there are going to be days you don't want to go. That is just life but you can still enjoy the moment and find joy as you go rather than plan on it in the future. [ Easier said than done :) ]

3. "Focus your work on blessing and serving others rather than getting rich or being noticed, and you’ll find great success and become extraordinary at whatever you do."  Please describe how your service in BYUSA has helped you in adopting this type of focus as a leader.

Wow. I have feel like BYUSA has taught me just that. This entire organization is about serving; that is why we are here, to serve the students of BYU. What an incredible opportunity! I have learned how to "forget myself and go to work." The lessons I have learned here through serving and through the examples of others I will take with me my entire life and I hope to apply that service to every aspect of my life.

President Samuelson

1. President Samuelson warned of the dangers of waiting to serve until you are less busy.  Describe how you will make yourself available to serve, even in the midst of a ever increasing schedule and responsibilities.

This is something I have been thinking about and working on a lot lately. I still not think I have a sure answer, but I am improving. What I have realized makes the most difference is a change in mindset. When I think about there HERE and NOW, saying to myself that I am serving NOW it makes an incredible difference. I have notice that starting small and working your way up also makes a big difference and makes serving not quite as daunting with a busy schedule.

2. In sharing his experience in speaking at a funeral, President Samuelson encouraged those in attendance to have the courage to say what needs to be said, when it needs to be said.  Describe a time when you have had to stand alone in your role as a leader.  Please include how you will respond to future opportunities to stand alone as a leader.

I have had to stand alone many times in the type of media that I am comfortable viewing and listening to. It can be very difficult sometimes because I am with people that are members and understand the church standards so it can be intimidating. But by standing for what I believe and the standards I have I have noticed others respect for me and also seen them make changes because of my example and they have done the same for me in other areas. I hope to always have the courage to stand for what I believe in be that in social activities, work, school, play, etc. I think if I decide what I believe now and where I will not yield it will be easier to make those decisions to stand alone in the future.

3. President Samuelson shared an important lesson he learned about making assignments in his role as an Elders Quourm President.  Please identify what you believe made the difference in the outcome he described going from having to complete the assignment himself to having others take accountability.  How will you apply this concept to leadership roles you have in the future.

This is a huge thin BYUSA has taught me. Previously I had a very difficult time trusting others to get the job done and found it easier to do it myself. However, BYUSA has taught me the importance of delegation. By giving others opportunities to lead I also allow them learn, grow and discover their own capabilities. I also learn to lead leaders which is an incredible experience and I feel further develops my strengths as a leader. I hope to continue this idea of delegation and have the opportunity to see others develop and grow as leaders.

Dr. Ben Wilson

1.Dr. Wilson spoke about the effect working in Student Leadership at BYU had on helping him become a "grown up."  Please describe the ways that your involvement has helped you develop as a leader from when you started serving until now.

I spoke about this briefly in my last post but I always say that BYUSA has taught me to take initiative. We aren't necessarily always told what to do, how to accomplish a task or even that a task needs to be completed. I learned to trust myself and have the courage to act. It is such a fulfilling experience. I have also learned in turn to trust others with tasks. That is something I've always struggled with. I usually want to just do things myself so I can be sure they get done, but in BYUSA I have learned to delegate and the power in that. I have also learned so much in interacting with so many individuals and to have the courage to meet and talk to new faces even people in authority.

2. Dr. Wilson shared his experience serving an internship in Jerusalem.  This experience was not part of his program, but was approved because he was willing to do additional work to make it possible.  Please describe the ways you can be effective in advocating for change or making improvement in existing programs.

I feel like I have experienced this a lot this semester. I believe the biggest program I have felt that with was planning Captain America. It was completely new and we hadn't done anything like that for Honor Week before. It was such a rewarding experience to see the visions and ideas my committee and I had come to life. I have also experienced it in Honor Campaign. This program was completely new. Everything Shawn and I have done has been new ground and new experiences. It has been so great to see it be successful and I can wait to see it continue to grow in years to come.

Brother Cox

Brother Cox's 13 Tips:

1. A huge tip that stuck out to me was the importance of not forgetting what was important. Of not forgetting those you love and your standards. I think it gets so easy to get caught up in how busy you are in BYUSA and life in general that you forget the small but most important things. I think it is huge to remember the people you are working with and make them feel loved and significant.

2. I also loved when Brother Cox spoke about taking initiative because that has been one of my very favorite things about BYUSA. I feel like I have learned how to create solutions. This is something I believe I will use thoughout the rest of my life. This will be important throughout the rest of my schooling, in my career and with a future family. I have learned how to act without necessarily being told to.

Judge Griffith

1. Judge Griffith spoke about the importance of remembering the "least" among us.  Describe how you can apply this concept in your leadership role today in BYUSA.  Also, describe how you intend to apply this focus on the "least" in the future as you serve in leadership roles.

I really think this is key in serving as a leader, emphasis on serving. As we strive to focus on the "least" of these our impact and strength as a leader and a group will have that much more of an impact. It bring to mind, "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

2. Judge Griffith talked about how we learn what God wants us to learn from listening to those who speak to us through talks, lessons and home teaching. Please describe how it is possible to learn from those who might night have the same level of education.  Identify and describe a time in your life when you have learned from an individual with a differing educaitonal background.

I absolutely loved this. It completely changed my experience and perspective in church last Sunday. I focusing on what was being said and listening to the Spirit I learned far more than I ever could have. Fellow students were able to teach and edify me because I was willing to listen. I had and open mind realizing that they had so much to give. I have had so many experiences where those with a differing educational background were able to teach me. I have especially seen this in my younger siblings. They are such great examples to me not just in word but in deed as well. It could be easy to say that I have more experience and knowledge but as I listen to their advice and follow their examples I improve so much and in turn help them.

3. Please describe something you learned about leadership from Judge Griffith's presentation.

I thought it was such a moving lecture. The largest lesson I took from it was motive. Leadership and your success as a leader largely depend on what motivates you. If your drive is money and recognition you are in it for the wrong reason and you will not be happy or as successful. But as your focus becomes Christ-centered you will be able to better serve and impact those you interact with for the better.

Leading Change

1. Please describe a situation where you have watched a someone successfully lead an organization through a change.  Identify what went well and how they helped the process succeed. 

I think a great example of someone leading through change is Kylie this year in the Student Honor Area. I think, first of all, that it shows a sign of a great leader that she show something that she wanted to change and improve and she didn't. Just doesn't just assume that the way things are done in the best way but she is consistently looking for ways that our area can improve and that we as leaders can improve. The organization of Student Honor and the way assignments are delegated are pretty different this year. But I feel like it has gone successfully. Through the whole experience she has remained confident and calm as a leader. She also always excepts and truly listens to feedback. She is constantly trying to improve and change herself as a leader as well.

2. Please share the three discovery statements that you wrote down as you completed each of the challenges.  What do those statements help you understand about your abilities to lead change and what insights do they give you on how you can be effective as a leader in a changing environment.

Discovery Statement #1: The change felt very awkward and shlowed me down a lot. However, I was excited to try something new and switch things up.

Discovery Statement #2: This made me nervous and a little disappointed because I was excited to draw the picture but felt like I couldn't with my eyes closed.

Discovery Statement #3: It was uncomfortable and I also felt self-conscious. I definitely didn't feel normal.

While we were doing the various activities I didn't feel like I was learning anything thing about myself as I learn, but that they were just fun and entertaining. However, as I went back and read what I had written it was very eye-opening. I saw that although change is difficult and overwhelming at times it excites me because I like meeting a challenge and overcoming it. I saw that I like to have a clear picture and plan infront of me though, and it can overwhelm me to not have a good idea of what will happen next and an ability to plan ahead. I do get self-conscious and nervous of making a mistake infront of others which can hold me back in certain situations. That is something that I need to work on because at times I feel that it holds me back from reaching my true potential as a leader.