Monday, February 7, 2011

Dr. Neal Cox - Director of Student Leadership

Select at least three of Brother Cox's 12 career hints and report what you are currently doing to follow his recommendations. Be specific in describing how you are living each hint.
Then select one or more hints from Brother Cox's presentation upon which you feel a need improve your focus. Be specific about your plans to better incorporate this hint into your life.

1. Family First
2. Leave it better than you found it.
3. Don't fear to contribute and invite others to do so.
4. Do more than is expected.
5. Be prepared before opportunity knocks.
6. Be willing to start from ground level.
7. Don't measure success by fame or fortune.
8. Don't value security more than opportunity to serve.
9. Deflect praise to others.
10. Sprout deep roots.
11. Try new things.
12. If you don't love it, leave it.



3. Don't fear to contribute and invite others to do so.
I love this one. Put your best foot forward in your service and invite others to do so. I gained a great testimony of this one last year as I was specifically over volunteer outreach and placement in HR. It was my duty to make sure events were fully staffed and that things were rolling right along. I was able to meet so many people and match them with opportunities that interested them. I made some wonderful life long friends in the process too.

6. Be willing to start from ground level.
I came into BYUSA asking Adam how I could become president one day. He recommended that I find a volunteer opportunity and that's when I began experiencing more with BYUSA. Through the last three years here I have been involved with many different aspects of our organization. Because of that, I have some unique insight and knowledge into how things work and of how to build off of our past. Had I been upset with Adam and felt entitled to an ED or VP position from the start, I would not have had the same type of experience here at BYU and would not be the same person that I am today.

10. Sprout deep roots.
AMEN! This has been my exact attitude in coming to BYU. I knew that I was going to be here for a few years and that by reaching out to those around me, my experience here would be improved. I really like getting to know people and learning about random connections between us. I can also see that the relations I make today are going to carry far into my future. It's incredible that I can now travel almost anywhere in the world and be able to find someone that I know.



9. Deflect praise to others.
I can't get enough of praise. After reading The Five Languages of Love this summer, I learned that I prefer to be praised with words of affirmation. Because of this I mounted a cork board above my desk to remind myself of my accomplishments and of my personal worth. This isn't vain or wrong, but because these compliments mean so much to me I realize that they may have a greater impact on others. As part of my Leadership Development plan this year I am working on expressing my gratitude more. As I do this, I will be better able to see the hand of the Lord in my life and have a more cohesive and cooperative team.

Judge Griffith

Judge Griffith spoke about his career and how he had moved around to different opportunities seeking to find his passion. Please describe what you feel you are passionate about today and where you think these interests will take you as you start your career path.

I am very passionate about public relations. I'll find out if I was accepted in about ten days and from there I'll be able to see what kind of path I'm going to be on in that field. I love networking and being in the know. I can see these skills carrying over as I continue in the emphasis.


Judge Griffith quoted several versus in Jacob 2, in reference to the pursuit and use of wealth. How will you apply the concepts that Jacob shares with us as you experience success in your career.

As I experience success in my career I plan to continue to pay a full tithe to the Church. I would also like to give back to BYU in gratitude for all the opportunities it has afforded me. I can do this by donating to the Annual Fund, or by creating an endowment.

I also know that I would like to play a leading role in my community. When my children are school aged, I plan to be an active member in PTSA and possibly in our local government. If I can see a place where my influence would be a benefit, and it won't interfere with my other responsibilities, I would like to lend a helping hand.


Please share something you learned about leadership in your career from Judge Griffith’s presentation.

I learned that leadership in my future career is going to inevitably come my way. Though my future is slightly uncertain, I can accept where it will lead me and embrace the opportunities and experiences that will come my way. I also know that I want to work on gaining a greater knowledge of both the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the theological positions of other faiths to be able to converse on a variety of topics intelligently.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Leading Change

1. Considering your role as a leader, please describe who you view as your “customers” and how you practice the idea of meeting the needs of those customers.

Because I assist BYUSA with its public relations, I see myself relating to a lot of different customers. I get to interact with the love, hate, and swing students on campus through organization outreach and the BYUSA blog. Through Service Squad I have the opportunity to interact with general BYUSA newcomers. With my relations with the Daily Universe I need to act in a very professional role to assist those writing our campus newspaper with the most factual and accurate information at my disposal.

To meet all of my "customers" needs, I strive to know them and what their needs actually include. My program directors need direction from me on the mission, vision, and BYUSA processes. The Daily Universe needs to know what is going on; I need to communicate with our beat writer in order to have announcements and coverage. New volunteers need a great experience through a structured and organized activity that allows them to feel the spirit of this association.


2. Please describe a time when you have been involved in a significant change. Identify what those who were leading the organization did to help make the change successful or unsuccessful.

I'm currently in the midst of a significant change. I've been evaluating myself and I didn't like the pathway I was on. Through a lot of prayer, fasting, scripture study, journaling, and continual goal setting, I'm re-honing myself to be the person worthy of my patriarcal blessing.

To make this change successful, I'm changing my routine. I am more careful where I give my word and make commitments. I am working at placing feasible deadlines for myself, and then giving myself a moment to celebrate when I achieve them. Probably the most important thing, I am taking time for me.


3. Describe why you believe that Networking with others, is a vital part of leading change.

Networking with others is a vital part of leading change because it gives you the foreknowledge of what needs to change. Through a network, you can ask others in a professional atmosphere about perceived weaknesses and strengths. It is through your network that you'll get the right people on the bus (Good to Great). Networking with others also offers greater resources to you as you lead change.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Overview of Leadership Model

I definitely have weaknesses; however, in the Zenger-Folkman Leadership model, you are asked to build upon strengths. One strength that I have developed that sets me apart from others is that I am very outgoing. Not too many things scare me. I also welcome large challenges and responsibilities (sometimes I seek after them).

General Norman Schwarzkopf felt that character would be more important than strategy because character is the ultimate motive. Character influences strategy and the way you carry out the task.

In BYUSA, I am working to be the "hedgehog" with our public relations. I'm still learning about PR processes, but I have vested interest in both PR and BYUSA. By learning more about PR I help BYUSA; by praciticing PR in BYUSA, I'm able to experiment with and solidify my skills.


Welcome back Christy! I've missed you and am very excited to get to WORK!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Divine Centered Leadership

I volunteer with BYUSA because I believe in the vision and mission. I am motivated by my love for my fellow students and by my belief that together, as students, we can create a "Zion community."

Theodore Roosevelt gives credit in life to those who are “In the Arena.” To me, being in the arena means being the one that is making the effort to be involved. I plan to be in the arena this year by giving my best during my service within BYUSA. I serve with BYUSA because I see the good that it does for the students at BYU. In my life, I know that I will remain in the arena by staying involved in my community in my church service, in my towns, and in my home.

Divine-centered leaders need to know each heart. I know that I've really appreciated the time that leaders have taken to know me. I'm very grateful to Lauren Lytle and Chad Johnson; when I began my experience at BYUSA they were the ones that welcomed me and wanted to be a real friend.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

If you'd like to hear about me...

I'll be talking about myself at my new blog cierrabrooke.blogspot.com

Love to see you over there!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Cierra Brooke Nye's Leadership Development Plan

In my student leadership class this semester, we've been studying traits of extraordinary leaders and seeking to develop their skills and talents in our own life. For our final, we were asked to create a Leader Development plan. Over the course of the next semester, I will be working to implement characteristics to improve the manner in which I lead.

If you see ways in which I can improve and better serve others, please comment and let me know.


Extraordinary Leader Development Plan

My Strengths
(Which differentiating competencies do I demonstrate at or near the 90th percentile?)

Helping Other Succeed
Inspiring and Motivating Others to High Performance
Taking Initiative
Building Relationships

displaying high integrity and honesty
practicing self development
establishing stretch goals
taking initative
inspiring and motivating others to high performance
collaboration and teamwork

Potential Fatal Flaws
(Do I have a serious deficiency in any of the differentiating competencies?)

keeping a broad perspective
communicating powerfully and prolifically
drive for results

need to establish deadlines and goals- creating a plan
need to get outside comfort zone
need to balance enthusiasm with professionalism
helps with too many things

Passion and Organizational Needs (How will I make a unique and lasting contribution?)

I will make a unique and lasting contribution by focusing on the needs of others. By serving them, our organization will be able to meet its goals and execute events with accuracy. We’ll be reaching out to the students and be able to create a memorable BYU Experience.

Choosing One Competency (Which differentiating competency do I want to focus on?)

I want to focus on Helping Others Succeed. In human resources my duty is to help volunteers find opportunities to serve and help officers find those that will meet what their individual area needs.

Competency Companions
(Which competency companions make the most sense to work on? Why?)

As I develop this competency, it also makes sense to become more organized, improve my communication skills and to further my network. I can also delegate more effectively, be motivated by the success of others and practice self-development. As I increase these competency companions, I will be more able to meet my goal of helping others.

Ideas for Practice (on or off the job) (How will I practice the new skills in order to improve?)
Brainstorm:

WHO will support me? Kelin, Christy, other EDs, my PDs
WHO will hold me accountable? My PDs and Kelin
WHO will I practice on? My PDs, incoming and existing volunteers
WHEN will I start? As soon as possible- next Monday or over break further organization skills
WHEN will I check progress? Every 2 weeks
HOW will I know I’ve improved? When communication works and we cease to hit walls
HOW will I stick with the plan? By having it posted where I can see it and reference it frequently

Business Impact (How will I know I’ve made progress? How will I measure my success?)

I will know that I’ve made progress when volunteers are able to find opportunities to serve. The office will be flowing: a volunteer will come in, they’ll be matched with an opportunity to serve, we’ll hear how things are going and be able to account for them.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Goals & Gifts

M. Russell Ballard said, “What are your goals for the next few years? Will you pay the price for excellence? I would hope that every one of us is wise enough to realize that we can be excellent, that we can reach the top, that we can be the very best if we are willing to pay the price. We must be willing to establish in our minds this fact: In order to be great in whatever we attempt to do in life, we have to decide in advance that it is all worth it. Have you set your priorities? Are they solidly and clearly defined in your minds? Were they clear when you got up this morning, and will they be clear tomorrow morning and each morning?” “Is It Worth It?,” New Era, Jun 1984, 38

If you were having a conversation with him, how would you respond to his questions? Write as if you are writing to him.

Dear Elder Ballard,

I'm still figuring out what I'd like to do with my future. I have general goals- graduate from BYU, marriage, family, and continue to serve others. I'm working to create specific goals for myself. I've actually been trying to for awhile- since the beginning of the new school semester. I don't like to make goals at New Years like everyone else in the world. It's too cliché for me. New Years goals, at least for me, set themselves up for failure.



This last Saturday, I had the opportunity to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Sitting inside, I was able to reflect on myself. I had a notebook with me and just started writing.

All of the goals I was recording had to do with others. I love people. I want to be able to have the skills to touch others in their times of need. Everyone has a bad day and by being available to serve and love them, I can become more like those who are examples to me.

I gave a talk a few Sundays back about love. Love is, or at least I'm striving to make it, the core of all my actions. Love is why I serve. Love is why I'm friends with other people. Love is why I wake up each morning.


My priorities would then be others. I am willing to sacrifice to help myself reach this goal.

Humbly,
Cierra Brooke Nye


Look over the Defining Behaviors for “Focus on Results” on pages 60, 74 and 82. Which 2-3 behaviors are you particularly good at? Can you give examples? How have these behaviors enhanced your leadership style?

I'm very willing to volunteer for a difficult task or assignment that requires you to stretch my current capability. One example of this would have been when I accepted Kelin's invitation to me to serve as the event lead over Involv-a-palooza. I'm great at being open and having the time to take on these responsibilities, however, I lacked skill and training to carry it out fully and in a timely and accurate manner. IVP really stressed me out at times. But, by being willing and open to take on this responsibility, I was able to learn skills to help me if I were to do events in the future. I learned planning techniques and saw immense amounts of teamwork during crunch-time.

I'm very willing to work longer hours to meet a commitment. I'm often in the office before 3 and don't mind staying past 5 if I have a task that I'm still working on. I'll also stay longer if another person in the office has an issue they need to talk out.

I strive hard to practice what I preach and to expect at least as much of yourself as you do of others. This applies especially to my life and living the Honor Code. As stated in a previous post, everyone is watching me simply by the nature of who I am and what I associate myself with. There are certain expectations surrounding me, yet more than the expectations and opinions of others, I strive to keep the Honor Code as a personal choice.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Personal Capability

Our group focused on "Takes Initiative."

One way Human Resources takes initiative is by delegating ownership and allowing the individual to create and lead the programs. Especially because HR is such a new area to BYUSA, we're not just trying to get through the year, we are setting a high standard for our future successors.

One example of somebody in our area that takes initiative would be Charlie Lambert. Elise asked him to make a volunteer plan for every event in the month of October to which Charlie replied, "Oh, I've already done it."
Elise's jaw dropped to the ground.
"ELISE!" Kelin exclaimed. "We need to get you to the hospital asap!"
He threw the Jeep keys to Cici. "Kelin, I've never driven stick before!"
"Cici, I trust you. Believe in yourself as Hiro the Horse of integrity always has."
***fade in cowboy music*****
"Gee willickers," Elise let out.
"Jimmney cricket!" Kelin proclaimed with authority.
"And amen." added Cici.
Each nodded in agreement as they galloped off into the H'Rizon.

Inside of BYUSA, the Human Resources (H'Roffice) area has experienced many successes as it has grown. By taking initiative, the volunteer plans have been more organized and students have felt a greater sense of belonging in consequence of having a knowledge of their responsibilities. Zionize. Jointify.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Pygmalion Effect

Describe a time in your life when you felt the power of the Pygmalion Effect.
In kindergarten, I really struggled with reading. This was quite troubling to me especially because the ESL students in my class were achieving benchmarks much higher than mine. In first grade I had an excellent teacher, Ms. Downey. This fine woman expected a lot of me including 15 minutes of reading each night. As she expected more of me, I was able to achieve more and I soon I began to rise within the reading groups. When I entered 2nd grade we had a reading test. At its conclusion my teacher asked our class if we'd like to know who the best reader in our class was. Of course we all chimed in wishing to know who this student was. I was elated to learn that this student was me. Directly because of Mrs. Downey and her added time and attention, I found that I was able to achieve things that I could never thought were possible.
Looking back, the skill of reading has carried me through advanced classes and into my current college career.

Identify a strength you see in three other people.
Lauren Lytle is excellent at recognizing others and giving them the recognition that we each seek.
Elise May is incredible at loving others for exactly who they are.
Jessica Hart is great at listening to people and remembering what is going on in their lives.
Each of these women does know that these are their unique strengths and that is why they strive to interact with others on a daily basis and build up personal value in others.
To help these girls better visualize their strengths, I can verbally praise them and identify these skills they possess.

Mark Twain once observed, "Thousands of geniuses live and die without being discovered, either by themselves or by others." What did he mean by this observation?
In this observation, Mark Twain asserted that we need to be the ones to notice the greatness in ourselves. We each need to develop our talents and then share them. It's so important. We need to lift up others wherever possible.



Monday, September 21, 2009

Reflection 1

What was your motive for serving in BYUSA?
Originally, I came to BYUSA with the full intent of running for president. I didn't fully understand the organization; I just wanted the position and the power that came with it. Now after approximately a year of service with these wonderful people I've gained a greater understanding of all the work that goes into helping the student body. BYUSA and service with the group is not a cush-cush thing as I had originally perceived it.

My motives have changed. Drawing from my patriarchal blessing I've gained a greater understanding on why I am to be here. Service is and will continue to be a very important part of my life.

How will you apply the Divine-centered leadership principles in your home, community, and future career?
In my home I will strive to create a more loving environment. It is very important that when we have roommate council meetings and decide to enact new standards (ie making sure we're really doing our dishes) that I live up to what I committed to. I will need to be sure that I'm seeing others through the eyes of Christ.