The Art of Leadership

This article includes content from Business News Daily, Levo League and About.com

What is leadership?

The word "leadership" may bring to mind images of power and authority, but that's not always the case. Think about a leader in your life-perhaps a friend, co-worker, or family member. Are they in a position of authority? Not necessarily.

How do we define leadership?

Business News Daily asked 30 business owners and experts to define what leadership means to them. Their ideas may just lead you to create your own definition of leadership. Take a look at what they said.

"Leadership is having a vision, sharing that vision and inspiring others to support your vision while creating their own."

"Leadership is the ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision that leaves them still feeling empowered and accomplished."

"A true leader is secure in creating a framework that encourages others to tap into their own skills and ideas and freely contribute to the whole of the project or company."

"Leadership is actions committed by a person or group that produce an output or result. It simply helps people to get things done. It is not based on position in a hierarchy."

"Leadership is employing your skills and knowledge, leveraged by your attitude to get the results you desire."

Leadership is like art. There is more than one way to define leadership, just as there is more than one way to be a leader. Tiffany Dufu of Levo says that a leader is someone who uses their leadership, who "inspires people to live their best selves and their best lives," and that "artful leadership is knowing others and knowing yourself."



How do we become better leaders?

We want to see our Aggies across the globe leading the pack in establishing the qualities necessary for a happy, successful life. Whether you are in a technical position of leadership or not, you can be a leader everyday. There are many ways to improve your leadership-all of which can be started right now.

Learn More About Your Leadership Style. Understanding your current leadership style is essential. What are your strengths? Which areas need some improvement? Once you've determine which areas need some work, you can begin looking for ways to improve your leadership abilities.

Serve As a Role Model. Inspiring leaders exemplify the behaviors and characteristics that they encourage in their followers. They walk the walk and talk the talk. As a result, group members admire these leaders and work to emulate these behaviors.

Have a Positive Attitude. Leaders who facilitate change have an upbeat, optimistic attitude that serves as a source of inspiration for followers. Even when things look bleak and your followers start to feel disheartened, try to stay positive. This does not mean viewing things through rose-colored glasses. It simply means maintaining a sense of optimism and hope in the face of challenges.

Listen and Communicate Effectively. Good leaders should express sincere care and concern for the members of their group both verbally and non-verbally. By keeping the lines of communication open, these leaders can ensure that group members feel able to make contributions and receive recognition for their achievements.

Encourage Creativity. One way to foster creativity is to offer challenges to group members, making sure that the goals are within the grasp of their abilities. The purpose of this type of exercise is to get people to grow and stretch their limits without being discouraged.

Keep Trying New Things. Who says leadership is a one-way relationship? As you work toward honing your leadership skills, don't forget to look to your followers for feedback and inspiration. Pay attention to the things that have been effective in the past and always be on the lookout for new ways to inspire, motivate, and reward group members.

Go get 'em, Aggies. We're rooting for you!

A Story of Hope: Three USU students survive in the Philippines

McCall (left), Morgan (center), and Lyssa (right), pose for a photo with their students on October 18th. 

A week ago today, a record breaking Typhoon hit the islands of the Philippines. Three Utah State students were living in Thomas Oppus, Southern Leyte in the Philippines doing their student teaching when the storm hit.

Lyssa Bevan, McCall Eldredge and Morgan Parrish were shaken but unharmed by this storm. 

Leyte was the hardest hit, and thousands are dead in the city of Tacloban. These three women immediately set to work helping where they could.

"Lyssa and the two other students are in a unique position to help," stated Stacie Bevan Cannon, Lyssa's sister.

"All three have come up with this tremendous idea on how to help.  They have no way of getting into the hardest hit areas, however they all have international bank accounts.  They have asked friends and family to spread the word that we are taking monetary donations and depositing it into Lyssa's account. The girls can then withdraw the money and buy much needed supplies (i.e. clothing, food, water and medical supplies) over there, with no shipping costs or transfer fees. Therefore 100% of every donation goes straight to the relief effort."

Lyssa, McCall and Morgan had no way of knowing that their student teaching experiences would turn into an international crisis. But they are making the most of their resources and have become a blessing to the local Filipino.  The school they were living and teaching at, Southern Leyte State University, has been set up as a gathering place for supplies, where helicopters can load up and deliver supplies into the harder hit area of Tacloban (roughly 60 miles away).

"The town they are living in was one of the the very few that had little, to no damage, so stores are still standing and Lyssa, McCall and Morgan can buy supplies. They have been in contact with local church leaders to find out who in the immediate area is in need of assistance and are taking some of their supplies to these families as well," said Stacie. 

"Lyssa served a mission for the LDS church in the Philippines and has a great love for the people there," said Stacie,  "and the Philippine people have been endeared in the hearts of my family and me as well."

Below are three ways YOU can help in the Philippine relief effort.

1. If you would like to donate to Lyssa, McCall and Morgan's relief efforts 

Donations can be mailed to 

Philippine Relief Fund 

c/o Stacie Bevan Cannon (make checks or money orders out to Lyssa Bevan)

P.O. Box 4001

Logan, UT. 84323

    

2. The Beven family business is also accepting donations online for Lyssa's fund.

Through americanrealestaterentals.com or email Stacie Bevan Cannon for more information stacie.cannon811@gmail.com.  

3. Donate to a local church or the Red Cross  

A photo of the island where they are teaching, Taken November 2nd. Five days before the storm.
Photo Courtesy of Facebook, with permission

Lyssa poses for a photo with "Big Blue" on October 29th.

McCall (Top left), Lyssa (Top center), and Morgan (Top right), pose for a photo with Professors at Southern Leyte University on October 18th. 


Update: 
PHILIPPINE RELIEF UPDATE
Lyssa, Morgan and McCall have been able to buy 198 liters of water, 100 kilos of rice, (One kilo of rice is about 2.2 pounds and can typically feed a family.) They have also been able to purchase and donate powdered milk to feed infants, canned goods, biscuits and more.   Southern Leyte State University has allowed the girls to use a van and provided  them with a driver to transport the supplies. They have been in contact with a few different local church leaders who know of more people in need of food and supplies. Lyssa, Morgan and McCall are splitting the supplies they acquire between SLSU (and therefore Tacloban City) and the people in need in their immediate area.
Lyssa's family would like to thank everyone who has donated and made these relief efforts possible.