Communication. Communication. Communication.

Communicating is something I know I struggle with, but it's something I'm working on so hopefully I'm improving.  As leaders we should realize that communicating effectively goes hand in hand with being trusted, and that's one reason why it's so important.  We can communicate better by listening.  Not just listening to what you want to hear, or even just to what is said; instead we must listen to what we see and what others feel (as we listen to what people say as well, obviously). Communicating as a leader requires an optimistic attitude; seeing everyone as above yourself and treating them that way. Then you just need organized thoughts and planning, and your communication skills as a leader will help you build trust with those you lead.
I need to be a better communicator in my calling.  I know that I can be better about communicating with my co-chair.  We both have busy schedules and if we communicated a little better we could get a lot more done in our free time.  Also I know that I should be more accepting of others ideas, and that is something I'm working on.  This may be my calling, but I realize that that doesn't make my ideas the best.  Communicating with love and acceptance is the only way I will really be able to do the most I can with my calling.

Interviewing A Hero

Today I interviewed a friend of mine, an astounding religion professor at BYU, on different aspects of leadership. He has been such a great example to me over the last few years because of his genuine concern for others and positive attitude towards life.  Brother Hank Smith is someone that I have learned loads from and I feel honored to even know him.  He has taught me about the

 importance that literally every person holds. 

Because of his incredible sincerity and friendship, 

 I was able to see my own worth and realize how much my Heavenly Father loves me; something that has made an immense difference in my life.

As I interviewed him today my respect only grew.  Brother Smith is the perfect example of someone who lives the principle of Divine Centered Leadership.  He sees that his leadership role as a father is the most important position he holds.  He is always showing concern for the one who needs it, no matter who they are, as I have been blessed to witness first hand.  I admire him so much because he has a way of letting everyone know that they are important, and investing fully in the people he meets.  To top it all off, because of Brother Smith’s humility, he has a way of making the people he leads want to be more like the Savior and create a stronger relationship with Him.  To me that is the true sign of Divine Centered Leadership: someone whose main goal in leadership is helping others come unto Christ.

Because I know Brother Smith, I now strive to be a better 

listener, friend, teacher, and all around good leader. 

"A day that begins with Victory. . . "

My Dear Alarm, 

I've decided to make a change in my life.  I realize you have been trying to be my friend and I will no longer be ignoring you for the first 5 times you try to talk to me in the morning.  I've been giving the snooze button far too much attention and you have every right to feel betrayed.  I will be better. 

Sincerely, 

          Sarah Jane

So how do I learn to love my alarm?

Step #1: Make a playlist of happy songs that I will enjoy waking up to in the morning.

Step #2: Set my alarm for a reasonable time. 

 (Setting it for 30 minutes earlier than I  actually plan on waking up just isn't going to work anymore. . . .)

Step #3:  Go to bed at a decent time.

"A day that begins with victory is on its way to many others; 

and a day that begins with defeat is on its way to many others." -Author Unknown

   

Divine Centered Leadership

I was able to really get to know a girl in my ward this week, to an extent deeper than I would have thought I could.  She was going through a hard time and I made the decision that I was going to be there for her.  She is someone I look up to so much, and I just wanted to really get to know her heart. So, I decided I needed to do more than just pray for her.  As I sat at home with some friends I had a thought to go visit her, since I knew she was having a rough time.  I stood up and walked to her apartment to ask her how she was doing; I sat listening and comforting her the best I could. Through the rest of the week I checked up on her, and did my best to let her know I cared; along with praying for her to find the strength she needed.  I have grown to love her so much this last week as I have seen her incredible spirit and come to know her heart.

This experience has been another witness to me that as we serve others we are able to see them as the Children of God that they are; and as we recognize God's Children, and see them the way He would, I believe that we are able to lead more like the Savior would.

Leading Now?

Most of us think of leaderships as something more than just who we are.  Leadership is holding a high position in a club or organization.  Leadership is planning activities or service.  Leadership is teaching. Google defines it as 
1. The action of leading a group of people or an organization.
2. The state or position of being a leader.

As I've thought about the ways that I could be leading now, I've more fully realized that leadership is simply acting in a way that someone somewhere will see as an example, whether good or bad.  And even though most of us don't realize it, we are always being leaders and we decide through our actions what kind of leaders we will be. 

I am a leader in my home and in my callings. In the way that I treat the random people I meet.  I am a leader by attending college and going to my classes.  Mainly, I consider myself a leader with my friends.  Not because I think I am an incredible example, but because they allow me to be the person I know that I want to be. I am a leader throughout my life because I choose to be. And I choose to be a leader who will influence for good. 


The main leadership quality I posses is the ability to care.  I've recently realized that it is such a gift to be able to look at people I don't even know and love them before I even know them.  I believe that as we first meet people we should assume that we are going to like them, and find all the good things we can in their personality and in their actions.  Instead of making people prove that we should love them, we assume we will love them and keep loving them even if we are proven wrong. 


The place of leadership I am trying to improve, and that I will use this class to help me improve, will be leadership in my church calling. I have just been called to Co-direct the Spring Sing for my ward.  This means I will be leading as many people in my ward as I can get involved with our ward's 7 minute musical. I am super excited to apply the principles I learn this semester to this calling!