Situational Leadership

This week's lecture was interesting. I don't usually think of leadership under the four quadrants Adrianne described. Usually I think about it as more of an inspirational and motivating thing, but now as I look at the four quadrants, I understand better what he means by applying these things in different places and for the different people we lead.

Directing: The example I thought of in my own life of directing was in my new job last semester. I worked for BYU catering and went in not knowing quite what to do. So, my first day I worked with a "Captain" who was trained in how to do everything. She had to tell me exactly what to do, where I could find things, and how to do the tasks right. She didn't really fulfill the supporting role for me because there was a task that needed to be done quickly so she couldn't quite cheer me on which was fine. Because I didn't know what I was doing she had to supervise me closely, but once I started getting the hang of things I was able to also help support some other new comers. The roles are always changing.
Coaching: One instance in which I saw coaching was in my English class last semester. My teacher was very helpful in making me a better writer. Because I wasn't all that great of a writer, she told me how to write and what things I needed to include. She let me come to her and we would revise my papers together, therefore creating two way communication, a big key in coaching. I was so thankful for her coaching because you don't usually get that with a professor.
Supporting: I saw supporting from my student government teacher when I was on the Executive Board last year. My teacher trusted us to make good decisions and helped us when we needed it. Overall, the control of what was to be done was in our hands. We just had to go to her for approval. She let us make important decisions and facilitated what we did. As the executive board, we also played a supporting leadership role to the other class members. We helped them with the activities they wanted to plan and let them do it, with our approval.
Delegating: I think one place we see delegating a lot is in group projects, especially when group members are busy and the group can't meet with everyone as often as needed. You have to assign people to what they can do best and have trust that they will follow through on their tasks.

I think we should all consider the people we are working with and the events we are working in to decide how we should approach each situation with an appropriate leadership role. Sometimes you will even change your roles multiple times within a block of time and depending on who you work with. In every situation, we should be considerate to everyones' needs.

Leadership Interview

For my leadership interview, I decided to interview my twenty four year old sister, Lindsey Glauser. She got back from her mission to Richmond, VA about a year ago and so I thought she could tell me about some leadership qualities she had to have as a missionary. However, when I started asking her questions, she didn't talk about the mission as much as I thought. She talked a lot about how she has transformed into a better leader since she's been on the mission.

I asked her to define "leadership" and "leader" and this is what she said: A leader is somebody who instinctively stands out of the crowd, is able to make decisions quickly, and is also confident and willing to serve. She also said that a leader has to be willing to serve and also willing to step back and follow when needed. Lindsey defined "leadership" as a condition that is obtained by building your own qualities and becoming who you want to be. I also asked her about what she thought was the most important quality and her answer was CHARITY. One of the qualities that I admire in her is her willingness to serve and go help people out. She told me that for her, the most useful quality in serving others was to have a sense of humor and be able to laugh and be happy. She said that when you are willing and happy about serving, all the little things that might bug you will go away.

Another thing I asked my sister was to tell me about an experience where she remembers showing leadership. With that question, she talked about the time when she was Laurel president and helped a less active member. She said that she called her every week to come to the activity, went and visited her once a month, and tried her best to make her feel included. She remembered the one time that the girl came to an activity that they had so she would come. Lindsey remembered feeling that she had made a difference in that girls' life even if it didn't seem like much.

I also asked her about a leader that she admired and she told me about her mission president. Lindsey said that although he was put into that position, he was a natural leader. He loved people and seeing them progress - he loved peoples' successes. He also sincerely constructively criticized people and helped them know how to improve.

I admire Lindsey as a leader because she works well with people and can recognize when people are feeling left out, she loves to serve, and she is a positive person. She influences others through leading by example and serving all that she can. Lindsey also went from having a somewhat negative attitude to being positive. She said that it was a process to become a more optimistic person and that she had to decide to do it. She said that my mom told her that she could either sit and sulk or get up and decide to be happy and have fun. I think a lot of her leadership comes from her contagious positive attitude.

I want to be more like her and follow her example of being positive, being ambitious, and serving others. I think I can be more charitable as a leader and know that by making a concious effort to choose to be better, I eventually will be.

Leadership Role

For my leadership role this semester, I will be volunteering with the BYU Special Olympics. I will help out by attending meetings, going to sports practices, and helping out the Special Olympics players. I've already started helping out by going to bowling practices on Thursdays. They also have a tournament in February that I will hopefully be able to attend with the athletes. I'm really excited about getting even more involved with Special Olympics!

What is Leadership?

I think there are so many different kinds of leadership, but the kind I most resonate with is leading by example. I believe that sometimes a leader doesn't have to be the one that is loud and speaks out first all the time. I think that some leaders are better by leading through example. When someone else in the group sees you doing the right thing, they will follow. I think a good definition of a leader is someone who leads a group, considering all other group members' ideas, in striving to complete a common goal. I also believe that the best leader should not be the one watching other people do the work or the service, but they should be participating with the group. This is what King Benjamin did: "And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you." (Mosiah 2:14) I believe one of the most important parts of leadership is to serve the people you work with and ultimately help them. I hope that as I go through this class, that I will be able to become a better leader myself.