Today in lecture, we were pleasured to hear from Brittney about different attributes of Great Communicators. Brittney mentioned seven different types of how to become better at communicating. These include: building integrity and trust, involving others, making the message apply to the audience, taking initiative, being able to analyze situations, be able to innovate new ways to communicate, and have a positive outlook.
Luckily for me, I had the opportunity to see a real life application of the importance of communication. The bad news was that it was not a good example of communication and thus it didn't turn out so good. At work, I was assigned to pull weeds on the North side of the football stadium with Landon. We decided to "divide and conquer" in order to tackle this great task. We each took a side of the garden bed and began to work towards the middle. When we met in the middle we realized that our sides looked different. What went wrong? We had started with the same goal in mind and we both worked hard to fulfill our side of the deal, but we had failed to communicate. We forgot to define what a "weed" was. This small little detail resulted in a difference in scenery from one side to the other. He had pulled a plant that I would have defined as a flower, while I had pulled some grassy plant that he had left because it looked like a decoration.
Another example of the importance of communications can be found in the book of Mosiah from the Book of Mormon. In chapter twenty, some of the Lamanite daughters had been kidnapped by the priests of Noah. The Lamanites assumed that it was the people of Limhi that had taken their daughters. Without any reasoning as of why the war was being waged, the people of Limhi were attacked. So they took up arms and began to fight for their lives. It wasn't until after much destruction and death, that the Lamanite leader and King Limhi were able to meet together and talk about the cause of the war. It becomes evident that this lack of communication and of quick action is the cause of great death.
It is not very likely that a lack of communication in today's society will cause such great destruction and death that it did 2,150 years ago in this Book of Mormon story. However, this does not mean that communication looses it's importance. In roles of leadership, communication really is key to success. Without it, there would be no purpose for a leader, there would just be a bunch of people working by themselves trying to reach similar goals without achieving them. What a sad world that would be...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I'll Plan with You Til We are Blue
We haven't talked about this yet, but I noticed how important it is to be flexible and understanding when working in a group. Each person in our project groups had an idea of a project that they wanted to do. And after all the brainstorming it seemed like no one had changed their mind, nor were they going to anytime soon.
I think that some leaders have the misunderstanding that they are supposed to be the one in charge of everything and should get all the credit for the idea and the end project of the activity. They are the leaders right? So they should have the final say of what happens and how it happens.
I have to admit that I fell into this category of leaders at one point. As the Mia Maid class president, I took my calling very seriously. I ran the planning meetings and I wanted to be the kind of president that had everything under control. This worked for a while, but I soon learned that there were girls in my class that had different interests and desires. I could spend a lot of time and energy brainstorming, planning and organizing activities, but if I were to do it all by myself the activities would most likely be geared to my wants. It was then that I began to better understand why I had counselors and what my role as a leader was. I was not supposed to be doing it ALL! That sounds silly now, but it is important that a leader isn't always the one coming up with ideas and planning the activities. Sometimes the leader needs to stop and listen to what others have to say.
I think that it takes a good leader to rely on others sometimes. It doesn't make a leader weak if he or she is not the one coming up with the ideas. In fact, I think that it takes a better leader to lead along side a group of people (counselors, co-workers, etc.)because they have to be able to listen, they have to be selfless and put their ideas down, and they have to want the best for the people that they are serving.
I am not perfect at this, but I do admire these kind of leaders even if they are not the ones that get the credit for the end project.
I think that some leaders have the misunderstanding that they are supposed to be the one in charge of everything and should get all the credit for the idea and the end project of the activity. They are the leaders right? So they should have the final say of what happens and how it happens.
I have to admit that I fell into this category of leaders at one point. As the Mia Maid class president, I took my calling very seriously. I ran the planning meetings and I wanted to be the kind of president that had everything under control. This worked for a while, but I soon learned that there were girls in my class that had different interests and desires. I could spend a lot of time and energy brainstorming, planning and organizing activities, but if I were to do it all by myself the activities would most likely be geared to my wants. It was then that I began to better understand why I had counselors and what my role as a leader was. I was not supposed to be doing it ALL! That sounds silly now, but it is important that a leader isn't always the one coming up with ideas and planning the activities. Sometimes the leader needs to stop and listen to what others have to say.
I think that it takes a good leader to rely on others sometimes. It doesn't make a leader weak if he or she is not the one coming up with the ideas. In fact, I think that it takes a better leader to lead along side a group of people (counselors, co-workers, etc.)because they have to be able to listen, they have to be selfless and put their ideas down, and they have to want the best for the people that they are serving.
I am not perfect at this, but I do admire these kind of leaders even if they are not the ones that get the credit for the end project.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Motive as a Core
In class on Wednesday, Brother Cox asked a very thought provoking question: "Why do we serve?" We briefly talked about different motives I was caught up in my own thoughts of why it is that I have the desire to serve.
Looking back at past positions of leadership, more recently serving in the Relief Society presidency, I didn't start out thinking much about why I was serving, but simply if I was actually doing my part to fulfill my requirements. I wanted to make sure that those whom I was leading felt like I was a good leader and someone that they could trust. However, as I served and really got to know the girls that I was leading, I became to love them. Within a week of serving, my motive changed from fulfilling a duty to serving because I loved the girls. I learned that I was constantly searching for ways to serve the girls and even some of the boys in my ward because I had a hunger to help. And I have found that even after being released from this calling I still have the desire to help and to serve others.
While serving in the Relief Society presidency I learned that it was more important for me to be a servant leader, as Brother Cox called it, because it helped changed my motive. By serving the girls in my Relief Society, I had to get out and interact with them and I was able to get to know them. And when I knew them better I began to love them. And after a while, they began to love me and trust me.
With a different motive, such as love, a leader is more effective and the group is able to go somewhere and do something. I was able to see this in my ward as a leader, when we were able to report 100 percent in visiting teaching to the stake president for the first time. If I had tried to lead only to fulfill my calling, then I would not have been able to touch the hearts of girls in quite the same way and they too would not have had as much success.
As a leader, it is important to frequently check on your motive because if your heart isn't in it, it will be really hard to convince others to come along for the ride.
Looking back at past positions of leadership, more recently serving in the Relief Society presidency, I didn't start out thinking much about why I was serving, but simply if I was actually doing my part to fulfill my requirements. I wanted to make sure that those whom I was leading felt like I was a good leader and someone that they could trust. However, as I served and really got to know the girls that I was leading, I became to love them. Within a week of serving, my motive changed from fulfilling a duty to serving because I loved the girls. I learned that I was constantly searching for ways to serve the girls and even some of the boys in my ward because I had a hunger to help. And I have found that even after being released from this calling I still have the desire to help and to serve others.
While serving in the Relief Society presidency I learned that it was more important for me to be a servant leader, as Brother Cox called it, because it helped changed my motive. By serving the girls in my Relief Society, I had to get out and interact with them and I was able to get to know them. And when I knew them better I began to love them. And after a while, they began to love me and trust me.
With a different motive, such as love, a leader is more effective and the group is able to go somewhere and do something. I was able to see this in my ward as a leader, when we were able to report 100 percent in visiting teaching to the stake president for the first time. If I had tried to lead only to fulfill my calling, then I would not have been able to touch the hearts of girls in quite the same way and they too would not have had as much success.
As a leader, it is important to frequently check on your motive because if your heart isn't in it, it will be really hard to convince others to come along for the ride.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
"Oh, the Places You'll Go!"
Hello, my name is Karee and I am super excited to be in this leadership class. Though I know that the only way to really become a good leader is by getting out there and actually serving, I am really excited to hear from other leaders. I learn by example and I cannot wait to hear how they have served and some tips that they have for me on how I can personally become a better leader.
People are always watching, especially if that person is in a leadership position. That is why I have decided to name my blog "Oh The Places We Can Go" after the Dr. Seuss book, "Oh the Places You'll Go!" I choose this title because a to go anywhere a group needs a leader that can lead, but also a leader that can serve. A leader should not take all the credit, but should recognize the help that all the members make a contribution and are needed. A quote that my bishop used to say all the time applies to this concept, "I'll lift you, you lift me and we will ascend together." A leader needs to be humble and see that they are really nothing without the help of others.
I will be quoting from Dr. Seuss's book quite often to add some encouragement.
"You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead."
As a leader it is important that you set a good example for those that you lead and that you are living in a way that others can follow you. I am hoping that by the end of this course I will have a good idea of how I can go forward at the right speed so that others can follow me, but I am still able to stay close enough to help others along the way.
People are always watching, especially if that person is in a leadership position. That is why I have decided to name my blog "Oh The Places We Can Go" after the Dr. Seuss book, "Oh the Places You'll Go!" I choose this title because a to go anywhere a group needs a leader that can lead, but also a leader that can serve. A leader should not take all the credit, but should recognize the help that all the members make a contribution and are needed. A quote that my bishop used to say all the time applies to this concept, "I'll lift you, you lift me and we will ascend together." A leader needs to be humble and see that they are really nothing without the help of others.
I will be quoting from Dr. Seuss's book quite often to add some encouragement.
"You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead."
As a leader it is important that you set a good example for those that you lead and that you are living in a way that others can follow you. I am hoping that by the end of this course I will have a good idea of how I can go forward at the right speed so that others can follow me, but I am still able to stay close enough to help others along the way.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)