Final Reflection

Jenny Gordon

12/5/11

Final Reflection

            This semester I have learned a lot about leadership and myself.  I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve as an Executive Director in the Clubs area in BYUSA.  I know that the skills and life lessons I learn here will stay with me throughout my entire life.  By working in the Clubs area I was able to work with my coordinator, Vice President, my fellow Executive Directors, Program Directors, committee members, and various club presidents.  Through office hours, the student development class, and working closely with those around me I was able to learn a lot about divine-centered leadership, focusing on results, and personal capabilities.

            Before serving in BYUSA, I had never heard the term divine-centered leadership; I had only heard of servant leadership before.  Divine-centered leadership is an extremely important concept and became the focus of the clubs area.  In the clubs area we are leaders of leaders.  Through this role we are able to serve others so they may act.  For example, we serve the club presidents so they can run their club more effectively and serve their members.  We provide resources for the presidents to put on their meetings and activities.

            Lastly, part of divine-centered leadership is sharing an inspired vision.  In the clubs area we have a vision, which is the driving force behind all of our actions.  It reads, “The BYUSA Clubs Area strives to serve the Lord and serve those around us at all times. We are advocates of the BYU student service association in reaching out to students in need, and in creating a sense of belonging across campus. We lead with Charity in our hearts, and guide student leaders in their pursuit to involve those around them." This vision truly helped me throughout this semester by constantly reminding me what the purpose of all my decisions should reflect. 

            This past semester I have had a lot of projects that I have been working on, all of which had deadlines.  It was important for me to focus on the results of the projects so I could be efficient and still produce high quality products.  I worked on t-shirts, a commercial, care week, and club banners and logos this semester.  With all of these projects going on it was important for me to set deadlines for things to get done. 

            It was difficult to figure out a time that worked for me, the club president, and the designers at Campus Life Design to all meet to discuss the club’s banner and logo design.  At the beginning of the semester it was extremely difficult but then I decided to just email the designers to see what worked for them and the president and it was easier to find a common time.  Next semester I hope to find out who needs a banner at the beginning of the semester so there is more time to meet and discuss their design.  I will do this by having all of the Executive Directors talk to their presidents during the first two weeks of the semester and find out when the last time they received a banner. 

            From working with different designers and vendors for the t-shirts, banners, and the commercial, I learned that it was important to be very clear on what was expected for the final product.  For the commercial there had to be a few changes towards the end of the product because I was not clear enough with the editor. 

            At the beginning of the semester it was difficult for me to work on Care Week because I did not have a vision for it, because of this the planning was a little behind schedule.  There were some issues with my Program Director, which I avoided to confront.  This created unnecessary stress that could have been solved if I had spoken with my Program Director sooner. This transitions to my next topic of personal capabilities.

            For my 360 project, I focused on building relationships.  After speaking to Adrian, I realized that I need to work on accepting conflict because it can be a healthy thing.  I used to avoid conflict like the plague but now I am accepting it and standing up for my own opinions.  I am not afraid to voice what I think and explain how I am feeling now.  Devin, Joel, Haley, Steven, Ashley, Shelby, Laura, and Ryan have all noticed a big difference in this.  Devin pointed out that I am not as timid as I was at the beginning of the year. 

            With my Program Directors I hope to be more upfront about what I expect from them and if they are not following through on commitments then it is important that I address my concerns.  I know that by doing this, things will be able to get done more efficiently.  It is important that I continue to build a strong enough relationship with them that we are able to have the difficult, but necessary, conversations.

            Next semester, I hope to be a more effective leader by taking what I have learned this semester into account.  I want to continue to be a divine-centered leader by keeping the spirit of charity in mind as I serve and work with the club presidents.  I also hope to focus on the end results of my projects and share my vision with my program directors and committee members. By doing this they will be able to be inspired and understand what is expected.  Additionally, I hope to build strong relationships with all of those that I work with so I am not afraid to have healthy conflict with them.  It is important that I express my opinion while taking theirs into consideration.  I have learned so much this semester and I am excited to expand my learning and leadership knowledge this next semester in BYUSA. I know that this experience will help me throughout my entire life and it is something that I will cherish forever.