i'm a leader: part two

Divine- Centered/ Servant Leadership Lecture
Neal Cox, Asst. Dean of Student Life

In preparation to Bro. Cox's lecture, we were sent "Divine- Centered Leadership" to read. There were two phrases in the beginning that really got the point of across to me of the difference of a great leader, and a leader who follows the example of Christ.

"..five practices of exemplary leaders are
(l) inspiring a shared vision,
(2)challenging the process,
(3) modeling the way,
(4) encouraging the heart, and
(5) enabling others to act."

"..rewritten to more effectively encompass how the Savior led. Each
of the practices would become, respectively,
(1) sharing an inspired vision,
(2) challenging unrighteousness,
(3) modeling the way, the truth, and the life,
(4) knowing each heart, and
(5)serving others so they may act."

As leaders, there is always something we can do to be better. As we strive to follow the ultimate example, Christ, we notice the difference between a great leader and a servant leader. The simple differences between these two lists change the way you think of things.

Brother Cox focused on motive. What stood out to me the most was all the great examples of servant leaders we have that have such pure motives.
An obvious example is our church leaders. Someone we all can look up to is is our current Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I especially enjoyed this quote that Brother Cox shared with us-
"As your humble servant, I desire with all my heart to do God's will and to serve Him and to serve you." -TSM, April 2009. That quote perfectly shows what I believe are his simple intentions, as well an excellent example of the attitude a servant leader should have.

When talking about example in class, I kept thinking about my dad. Let me give you a little background about Dave. I am the oldest of five children. Our family started when my parents got married in the St. George. Weeks later they were moved and living in Sioux City, Iowa. Here my dad played basketball and my parents both finished up their undergrad. Then, they took off to Iowa City where Dad went to med school. Enter the favorite child, me. I was born, Dad became a PA, then we traveled back to Sioux City. Fast forward to the present day. Dave and Robin are happily married and now have five children. My dad has been plenty of callings, but lately he has only been in leadership positions. A bishop, and then soon after a member of the Stake Presidency, and has been Stake President for about seven years now. Plus add on the fact we have an extremely large geographic stake, covering parts of Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska, and just my personal opinion but our stake is pretty needy. So, just that says a lot about what's on his plate. Then, he has a job of course. He's a PA at a community health center that is extremely busy. He's sees a great amount of patients everyday, patients with horrible, sad, and depressing backgrounds and stories, easily adding stress to everyday. Oh yeah, and he's the Assistant Medical Director. Another leadership position, another thing to pile on. Plus, he coached my basketball team from 2nd grade to 6th grade, as well as all my siblings. He's involved in the community, helps put on a basketball tournament to fundriaser for our youth basketball program, and has served on several boards and committees. He's also the priesthood leader that serves our home. Just getting that all out took a lot more effort than I though.
When it all comes down to it, he doesn't lead because he needs something to do. He doesn't lead because he even thinks he's the best person for the job, although usually he is approached for jobs and positions because people respect him and know he will do the job right and well. He doesn't lead because it pays way well. He is my perfect example of a leader because he leads to serve. He knows he has the titles, but at the same time I'm not sure that's what he's thinking about. He thinks about every individual he is leading serving. I'll never forget when I drove with him to a church leadership meeting he had in Des Monies, 3 hours away. He was calling all of the bishops and branch presidents in our stake and seeing how things were going, but asking about specific members in each unit. I know our stake is small, but I still think that is amazing. It's one thing to know the members, but as we learned he knew their hearts. He knew their struggled and he was concerned with them. I think this that is pretty cool.
I could go on and tell many more stories about his strong relationships with patients and players and what I've learned from having him lead me in so many ways. But in all honesty this post is already way too long. I'm grateful for what I've read, listened to, and applied this past week, and what I've learned through not only being in this class but applying what I've been taught.