It was strange tonight organizing my backpack for my first day of school. While proud of all my new accessories for school, at age 31, I have to be careful to not steal the glory from the 7 and 5 year old in my house who are equally eager to show off their new clothes and find my fancy in their new footwear.
But just the same, here I am, wrapping my lips around the nozzle of the blue fire hose at the beginning of the first semester in pursuit of an MBA. During orientation, I learned a lot about leadership. One of the keynote speakers was Sherry Dew who, at our opening social held at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni Center, taught some principles of an effective leader. I learned that leaders create experiences which influence belief. It is only the influence of belief that can drive action to deliver results. The misconception of many leaders is the shortsighted focus only on actions and results. True leaders drive change and progress by cultivating experiences that impact belief.
I've certainly seen this scenario play out over and over again in my role to mentor people as they seek to discover happiness in their life. It is my experience that true change only occurs when individuals choose to honestly recognize where they are in relation to where they desire their best selves to be. Once this discrepancy is in sight, then it is more clear what experiences can best cultivate a belief that real change and progress are attainable. Often, the required action involves sacrifice. Giving up selfish endeavors is the hallmark of crossing the gap from where we are to where we desire to be.
It is with this mindset where I begin this climb. My desires are to strengthen my character and example for my children. Feeling professionally incomplete, I embark on this exciting new road prepared to make the sacrifices of time, commitment, and means to bridge the gap and refine the leader that is within me.
My Class of 2012
