This week's lecture was on leadership principles. Adrian Clemy outlined some of these principles:
1) Take Action
2) Vision
3) Integrity
4) Sacrifice
5) Courage
He presented several examples for each principle but the one example that really stood out to me was that of taking action. The example that was presented for this principle was Winston Churchill. Although he had many talents in other areas such as in the letters (he won a Nobel Prize in Literature) he chose to take up the mantle of Prime Minister and take on the extremely challenging responsibility of leading the country through one of the greatest wars in human history. According to Clemy, he abhorred idleness and passivity. He was a man that lived by the adage, "paralysis by analysis" and thus he valued industriousness. That is not to say that he was not careful to make sure that the decisions that he made for the welfare of his country were well-thought through. He made good decisions, but he did not unnecessarily prolong the process.
That is something that I would like cultivate not just in my leadership style, but also in my lifestyle as well. That is not to say that I will not have socializing time. It simply means that I will put boundaries on my socializing. If there are opportunities to socialize when I must do some homework or some project, I will work on that project. If I have all things done and can afford a little time, then I will indulge in socializing. Because my roommates and I stick so much together, putting clear and concise borders on our collective socializing time would be beneficial for all of us.
Oh! An update on the status of my roommates: I have tried much harder these past couple days to be productive and to not have a moment of laziness. Though I was not perfect, I can see the impact of my efforts on my roommates, who are constantly observing me. These guys have been working a lot harder than before, and though I know it would be a very big act of idiocy if I claimed their efforts as results of my efforts, I DO know that my efforts are not pulling them down. I would perhaps even go as far as to say that my roommates obtain some strength from my attitude of industriousness and positivism.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Great Leaders throughout History: Leadership Characteristics of Notable Leaders - Nathan S. Ward
This week Nathan S. Ward, Assistant Director of Student Leadership, gave us a lecture titled "Great Leaders throughout History: Leadership Characteristics of Notable Leaders."
Some things that were impressionable in my mind were some quotes that he gave us.
"the best leaders inspire people to rally around a change, while poor leaders have to push, cajole, or even threaten employees to accept change." -John H. Zenger & Joseph Folkman-
"who you are affects how you lead."
For the past week I tried to live a life of example. It was very difficult sometimes when I was extremely tired to read my scriptures before going to bed. But I managed to read a chapter of New Testament and a chapter of Book of Mormon every morning and night no matter how tired I was. Sometimes, I feel that I ought to be doing more than just living my life in my role as a leader, but when I try to think about what I ought to do to lead, I realize that I really have nothing to offer my roommates as a leader, except my own example. However, one thing I have tried to do is be humble, positive, and uplifting. Many times this week, I felt very distressed and cynical. However, I made efforts to find the silver lining in the cloud and I let my vision be filled with the silver lining. I think that's how I got through this week - by being positive. And I could tell that my attitude could have much influence on the attitudes of my roommates. When I was happy, they became happy. When I was down, they became down. Attitudes are contagious, and I was able to uplift them by motivating myself to be positive. So instead of trying to push them and cajoling them to be positive, I inspired myself with a positive attitude, and in turn, I was able to "rally" my friends around my banner of positivism. Though on scale and in importance, this fades compared to the accomplishments of other leaders, I look upon these experiences as every-day stepping stones to acquire experience and attitudes necessary to brave through the harshest storms. Hopefully, I can continue what I am doing next week as well.
Some things that were impressionable in my mind were some quotes that he gave us.
"the best leaders inspire people to rally around a change, while poor leaders have to push, cajole, or even threaten employees to accept change." -John H. Zenger & Joseph Folkman-
"who you are affects how you lead."
For the past week I tried to live a life of example. It was very difficult sometimes when I was extremely tired to read my scriptures before going to bed. But I managed to read a chapter of New Testament and a chapter of Book of Mormon every morning and night no matter how tired I was. Sometimes, I feel that I ought to be doing more than just living my life in my role as a leader, but when I try to think about what I ought to do to lead, I realize that I really have nothing to offer my roommates as a leader, except my own example. However, one thing I have tried to do is be humble, positive, and uplifting. Many times this week, I felt very distressed and cynical. However, I made efforts to find the silver lining in the cloud and I let my vision be filled with the silver lining. I think that's how I got through this week - by being positive. And I could tell that my attitude could have much influence on the attitudes of my roommates. When I was happy, they became happy. When I was down, they became down. Attitudes are contagious, and I was able to uplift them by motivating myself to be positive. So instead of trying to push them and cajoling them to be positive, I inspired myself with a positive attitude, and in turn, I was able to "rally" my friends around my banner of positivism. Though on scale and in importance, this fades compared to the accomplishments of other leaders, I look upon these experiences as every-day stepping stones to acquire experience and attitudes necessary to brave through the harshest storms. Hopefully, I can continue what I am doing next week as well.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Interview
I had the opportunity to interview a man named Byungsuk Luke Yoo. Well, okay he's my dad, but he has been and continues to be one of the greatest sources of inspiration in my life. For the purposes of professionalism, I will refer to him as Luke from now on, instead of dad.
Professionally, Luke is the Chief Executive Officer of NuSkin Enterprises, Korea. As a man that holds such a title, automatically it can be assumed that he must have some form of a successful leadership style. Although I could go on and on about the qualities that he has and how these have helped him to succeed professionally, I would like to focus on just one of his qualities that I find to be very heart-warming and inspirational. He is a man that is full of love.
It can be argued that love is a weakness in the business field of ruthless competition, but I believe that it is possible to love without being weak. In fact, I believe that leaders that show love command greater legitimacy and thus willing obedience from their followers. One of the reasons I believe that this is possible in the corrupt world of today is because of the example of this man.
Luke loves the people in his company. He does not view his company and his employees as machines existing to make money. He has a view of the company as an organization that can not only provide quality services and products to the public, but as an organization that lifts the thousands of men and women so that they may be able to make a living and pursue happiness. Most companies in Korea suppress their employees - longer work hours, more stress, and harsh criticism that ultimately means less family time, less personal time, and less energy to do anything else. However, in Luke's company, he makes them work their hardest from 9 in the morning to 12, then let's them take care of everything else from then until 6 PM. After that, he shuts off the electricity in the building so that nobody can work after that period of time. The result is, that these employees work extremely hard in that short amount of time to finish the tasks that they have been given, then go home early to their families to spend personal and family time. Not only that, but Luke gives extra support from the company to those who want to attend night classes to increase their level of competitiveness. The result is, that Nu Skin Enterprises, Korea makes the highest revenue per employee in the country. Churning out the greatest amount of efficiency, while maintaining the happiness of the employees is something that is possible because of the great love, and great leadership that Luke employs in the management of the company.
Professionally, Luke is the Chief Executive Officer of NuSkin Enterprises, Korea. As a man that holds such a title, automatically it can be assumed that he must have some form of a successful leadership style. Although I could go on and on about the qualities that he has and how these have helped him to succeed professionally, I would like to focus on just one of his qualities that I find to be very heart-warming and inspirational. He is a man that is full of love.
It can be argued that love is a weakness in the business field of ruthless competition, but I believe that it is possible to love without being weak. In fact, I believe that leaders that show love command greater legitimacy and thus willing obedience from their followers. One of the reasons I believe that this is possible in the corrupt world of today is because of the example of this man.
Luke loves the people in his company. He does not view his company and his employees as machines existing to make money. He has a view of the company as an organization that can not only provide quality services and products to the public, but as an organization that lifts the thousands of men and women so that they may be able to make a living and pursue happiness. Most companies in Korea suppress their employees - longer work hours, more stress, and harsh criticism that ultimately means less family time, less personal time, and less energy to do anything else. However, in Luke's company, he makes them work their hardest from 9 in the morning to 12, then let's them take care of everything else from then until 6 PM. After that, he shuts off the electricity in the building so that nobody can work after that period of time. The result is, that these employees work extremely hard in that short amount of time to finish the tasks that they have been given, then go home early to their families to spend personal and family time. Not only that, but Luke gives extra support from the company to those who want to attend night classes to increase their level of competitiveness. The result is, that Nu Skin Enterprises, Korea makes the highest revenue per employee in the country. Churning out the greatest amount of efficiency, while maintaining the happiness of the employees is something that is possible because of the great love, and great leadership that Luke employs in the management of the company.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Defining the Role
I do not have many leadership qualities. However, I read somewhere that the best leaders are always looking to improve. Hopefully, that is one characteristic that I do have: a recognition of my shortcomings, and a desire to make strong my weaknesses. With that, I hope to become a greater leader. This semester I find that I can exercise a tremendous amount of leadership as a roommate. First, I think it would be appropriate to explore the nature of rooming together with someone.
Roommates, quite obviously, live together. They most often eat together, sleep together, go to the same ward, and if you're one of those lucky ones, indulge in deep conversations that go late into the night. Sometimes, roommates share a bond, that improve through a progression from shallow pleasantries, to a sense of rapport, to some conflicts, and finally to a relationship that has been tested of time, stress, and pressure. Out of all these things, the aspect that I would like to emphasize in this entry on the nature of roommate relationships is the aspect of example. Roommates, interacting so much on such a basic level, cannot help but become somewhat similar to each other. Starting from the small things like whether or not you make your bed, to big things like doing well on your academics, or becoming very social. Depending on the habits and characters of each roommate, some of these habits and qualities will rub off on the other roommates. For me, I think this is a wonderful opportunity to exercise leadership, through my own example as a roommate.
To give some more background information on my roommates, I have three roommates. Two are Korean friends that I met during the spring and summer terms and one is an American student who, understandably, might feel a sense of pressure from being surrounded by three students from unfamiliar cultures and who speak a language different from his own. Although I am fluent in English and thus, can communicate well with our single American roommate, my two Korean friends are not very comfortable speaking English, nor with the American culture. Even in that one description, I can already see a leadership opportunity.
Although this opportunity poses a relishing challenge of communication and having our roommates get along despite the language barriers, I see a greater opportunity for leadership that holds dearer to my heart.
My Korean friends, as Korean citizens and as Church members, are required and obligated, respectively, to serve a two year draft in the Korean military, as well as a two year mission for the Church. Being already required to sacrifice two years of their time for their country, it could be seen as a greater decision to serve a mission for the Church for these two Korean roommates. However, from the many things I have heard from fellow Korean saints, many Korean men, though determined to serve their missions before serving their military draft, after having gone through two years of military, decide not to serve missions. It is understandable that they would come to such a decision, but I cannot help but feel much sorrow that these men will not be able to experience for themselves the wonderful joys and blessings that come with serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And as such, my concern is for my roommates, who will have to go through the same decisions. As of now, they are set on serving missions after their military service, however I know, from the warnings of many RM's, that Satan can and will try to deter my friends from serving their missions. I love my friends, and as such, I cannot bear to watch them not serve missions. In the end, it is their decision and I must respect their agency, however, I also know that example is a strong motivator.
By living a life that is consistent with those principles that prepare a man to enter the holy temple and serve a mission, I seek to be an example to my roommates, so that when the time comes for them to make this difficult decision, they will have, as extra support, my example. Thus, it falls on me to set a strong example for my roommates, so that it may give them the strongest motivating factor that I, within the bounds of my abilities, can possibly provide. That is my leadership role this semester, and I seek to accomplish it by doing all the things necessary to prepare myself to serve a mission and by communicating to my roommates on such matters.
Roommates, quite obviously, live together. They most often eat together, sleep together, go to the same ward, and if you're one of those lucky ones, indulge in deep conversations that go late into the night. Sometimes, roommates share a bond, that improve through a progression from shallow pleasantries, to a sense of rapport, to some conflicts, and finally to a relationship that has been tested of time, stress, and pressure. Out of all these things, the aspect that I would like to emphasize in this entry on the nature of roommate relationships is the aspect of example. Roommates, interacting so much on such a basic level, cannot help but become somewhat similar to each other. Starting from the small things like whether or not you make your bed, to big things like doing well on your academics, or becoming very social. Depending on the habits and characters of each roommate, some of these habits and qualities will rub off on the other roommates. For me, I think this is a wonderful opportunity to exercise leadership, through my own example as a roommate.
To give some more background information on my roommates, I have three roommates. Two are Korean friends that I met during the spring and summer terms and one is an American student who, understandably, might feel a sense of pressure from being surrounded by three students from unfamiliar cultures and who speak a language different from his own. Although I am fluent in English and thus, can communicate well with our single American roommate, my two Korean friends are not very comfortable speaking English, nor with the American culture. Even in that one description, I can already see a leadership opportunity.
Although this opportunity poses a relishing challenge of communication and having our roommates get along despite the language barriers, I see a greater opportunity for leadership that holds dearer to my heart.
My Korean friends, as Korean citizens and as Church members, are required and obligated, respectively, to serve a two year draft in the Korean military, as well as a two year mission for the Church. Being already required to sacrifice two years of their time for their country, it could be seen as a greater decision to serve a mission for the Church for these two Korean roommates. However, from the many things I have heard from fellow Korean saints, many Korean men, though determined to serve their missions before serving their military draft, after having gone through two years of military, decide not to serve missions. It is understandable that they would come to such a decision, but I cannot help but feel much sorrow that these men will not be able to experience for themselves the wonderful joys and blessings that come with serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And as such, my concern is for my roommates, who will have to go through the same decisions. As of now, they are set on serving missions after their military service, however I know, from the warnings of many RM's, that Satan can and will try to deter my friends from serving their missions. I love my friends, and as such, I cannot bear to watch them not serve missions. In the end, it is their decision and I must respect their agency, however, I also know that example is a strong motivator.
By living a life that is consistent with those principles that prepare a man to enter the holy temple and serve a mission, I seek to be an example to my roommates, so that when the time comes for them to make this difficult decision, they will have, as extra support, my example. Thus, it falls on me to set a strong example for my roommates, so that it may give them the strongest motivating factor that I, within the bounds of my abilities, can possibly provide. That is my leadership role this semester, and I seek to accomplish it by doing all the things necessary to prepare myself to serve a mission and by communicating to my roommates on such matters.
An Introduction
Hello! My name is Heeje Yoo and this blog is going to be about leadership and its role in my life, as well as my take on some of its principles.
Firstly, to give a better background on who I am, both my parents are Korean, and I was born in Hawaii. I lived there for about five years, attending kindergarten there, then about 2 and a half years in Utah. In the middle of third grade I moved to South Korea and attended an international school, up until I graduated high school and enrolled at BYU for the Fall 2008 semester. Here I am, and I am currently planning on serving my mission right after this Fall 2009 semester. From this class, I expect to learn more about the different styles of leadership, what works and what doesn't, and how we can always exercise leadership in everything we do. I am especially interested in learning more about Christ-like leadership, if that is going to be a topic of discussion in this class. Hopefully, I will be able to share all the things that I learn throughout this semester through this blog.
Firstly, to give a better background on who I am, both my parents are Korean, and I was born in Hawaii. I lived there for about five years, attending kindergarten there, then about 2 and a half years in Utah. In the middle of third grade I moved to South Korea and attended an international school, up until I graduated high school and enrolled at BYU for the Fall 2008 semester. Here I am, and I am currently planning on serving my mission right after this Fall 2009 semester. From this class, I expect to learn more about the different styles of leadership, what works and what doesn't, and how we can always exercise leadership in everything we do. I am especially interested in learning more about Christ-like leadership, if that is going to be a topic of discussion in this class. Hopefully, I will be able to share all the things that I learn throughout this semester through this blog.
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