Leadership Without Words

Ah yes, summer. Some of my friends are relaxing at home, rejuvenating from a busy semester. Others are studying abroad. Then, there is the hand-full that stay in town to take summer classes. All of these are common ways to spend your summer, however there is also what I would consider the most common summer option for college students…working!

 

This summer on June 1, I started my summer internship with Cargill Meat Solutions in Wichita KS.

 

What have I been up to in my internship? Well, they haven’t had me making copies or filing information yet, so I would say I am pretty fortunate thus far (that, or they just realized early on I am not good with printers, copiers, or many other forms of technology).

 

Actually, I am a Human Resources intern specializing in the Learning and Development side of HR. Another term you could call this position is a corporate trainer. Here in Wichita, there unfortunately are no other corporate trainers. Due to the economy they had to downsize, so as of right now, I’m the only one out of the thousands of employees in the Wichita offices working on training curriculum for the next year.

 

Some people in my situation may be nervous and timid to really run with the opportunity of being able to do all the curriculum development on their own. Well, some people may feel that way, but as you have probably already guessed, that isn’t at all how I feel! I am LOVING having the freedom to really be creative and use my past experiences and knowledge to develop curriculum that can be taught by others at plants for their new hires and supervisors.

 

I would love to tell you in detail everything I have created thus far; however, I would have to kill you. Ok, maybe not that drastic of a result if I tell, however my brain and thoughts completely belong to Cargill this summer…so it kind of is top secret. J

 

One of the coolest experiences I have had thus far was this past week which I spent in Springdale Arkansas touring their plant. Springdale has 1,300 Cargill employees—kind of like a small city as the HR folks there described it. During the week I spent there I got to tour all the Ag Live Operations (the hatchery, growers, and feed mill). My proudest moment was walking into a barn of 6,000 mature tom turkeys weighing around 45 lbs. each! If I said I wasn’t scared then I would be lying BIG time! No worries, I made it out with all ten fingers and only managed to lose three toes.

 

  Another part of the week I spent touring the processing plant. IT WAS HUGE! The HR Manager of the operation, Carlos, gave me my tour. As we went through the many different rooms we passed countless employees. Carlos would wave, say hello to them, joke around, and ask about their family or weekends.

Now remember, there are some 1,300 employees there! These workers represent 13 different countries and there are 9 different languages spoken. Carlos had been working at this plant for almost 3 years. I was BLOWN AWAY by how connected Carlos and his employees are. Carlos is in upper management, yet he strongly believes in spending quality time on the floor with his employees. While we sat in his office to discuss some future training programs, workers would walk by the window and wave with a really big smile!

 Carlos is bi-lingual, yet his connection with his employees has no limiting lines. The people working at the Springdale plant in Arkansas are a perfect example of what it means for a company to truly value and appreciate their employees.

 

One of Cargill’s goals is to value differences. The most powerful part of my visit in Springdale was learning about the many different cultures and how they all can come together to produce their end product harmoniously. There are positions in the plant call “frontline supervisors.” These supervisors are in charge of different lines of the plant. For example, the line that packages the ground turkey is a line. Many of the lines are made up of some 6-14 employees. As you can image, not all of these employees speak the same language. Not all of the supervisors speak the same language as the people they are leading. However, these supervisors have found ways to lead their people using a language different than words.

 

Walking through the plant Carlos pointed out a middle aged man who is now in charge of the shipping and receiving department. “That is Steve. He started out as a line supervisor,” said Carlos. “He has been one of my best. He only speaks English, and yet his people loved him. He just knows how to make employees feel valued without saying it in words, but showing it in actions and a constant smile.”

 

Steve was goofing around with some of the employees as we were walking by. It was clear that they all absolutely adored him, and yet none of them spoke English. Amazing! Leading people is hard enough as it is, but perhaps we make it harder than it should be. People like Steve don’t need any fancy words to impress their constituents. No, rather they choose to capitalize on the simpler things like smiling, sharing their lunch, playing innocent tricks on each other, and making yourself an equal rather than a superior. All of these are the non-verbal ways a leader succeeds.

 

My Springdale trip taught me many different lessons: 1) keep your toes covered when in barns full of adult tom turkeys, 2) People don’t have to come from the same place to work together to create a superior product, and 3) leaders can be successful using more than words.

 

“There are no language barriers when you are wearing a smile.”—Allen Klein

 

I look forward to the many more new lessons this summer’s internship teaches  me. Whatever you have chosen to do this summer, remember that our greatest learning’s can be in the most unexpected places! 

There are only so many places you can see all the different type of tears: tears of joy, tears of sadness, tears of uncontrollable laughter, tears of excitement, and tears of relief.

 

If there is one place that is guaranteed to shed this variety of tears, it is the Kansas FFA State convention. There is a special spot in my heart for this celebration that brings together roughly 1,300 students from across the state. It was the first time I truly understood the magnitude of the benefits FFA has to offer.

 

This year was my first year at the convention in a new role. Instead of being a member wearing the jacket, competing, or facilitating workshops, this year I was a behind the scenes gal. Not to brag, but someone must really like me because I got what I would consider one of the best jobs available for convention volunteers. My job was to be the assistant to the nominating committee that selects the new year’s six state officers, as well as be in charge of taking care of the 14 candidates throughout the week. Basically, I would consider my role as the “mom” to the state officer candidates!

 

I had a blast getting to know those 14 phenomenal individuals. From playing games in the holding room, to one-on-one conversations that really let me see what a great person each individual is.

 

Congratulations to each of you, the candidates, on your leadership and drive to serve others. Whether you were successful in gaining the title of state office or not, you make the choice in how big of an impact you will make in the future. Yes, if you have the title of a state officer you are handed a circle of influence (the KS FFA members), and without the title you must create your own circle of who it is you will target to serve and help grow this next year.

 

My definition of success is not based on the title stitched on your jacket, but rather in your genuine heart to serve and take action on the needs of those around you. Making a positive difference, even if in the life of just one other individual…that is what I consider true success. 

Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind:

 

“Every calling is great when greatly pursued.” –Oliver Holmes Jr.

 

“Caring about others, running the risk of feeling and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness.” –Joe Menchin

 

“To succeed we must first believe we can.” –Michael Korda

 

“I feel the greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more.” –Jonas Salk

 

In life, our plans are guaranteed to not always go as we originally thought. At first, we may be upset, frustrated, and sad, thinking there is nothing else great planned for our future. We have all been there at some point in our life. We are put in these situations to truly test how motivated and committed we are. In these moments of our lives we can take two approaches:

 

1)    Give up and accept a “go with the flow” lifestyle

2)    OR, we can choose to pave our own route

 

The exciting part of option #2 is…you get to take that much more ownership in whatever it is you choose to pursue. Work hard and I promise that the rewards in the end will be worth it.

 

We are all faced with challenges, and it is then that our character and perseverance has the best ability to grow.

Infatuation with Pleasing

Four words…thank goodness it's summer!

Yes, I LOVE Kansas State, more than anything, yet sometimes you just need a break. Adults take vacations…us students-well we take the entire summer! Of course for many of us summer isn’t just laying around on a beach with a coconut drink in our hand.  As a matter of fact, I would say that the majority of students spend their summer making money working hard, or gaining valuable career experiences through internships. 

The summer is overall a great catalyst to remind ourselves of who it is we should really be pleasing.

You may be thinking, “What are you talking about? I please number one, myself and that is it!” Well, for most of us this is not true.

It is human nature to desire to please others and receive positive affirmation I return. That may mean striving to please your parents, teachers, boss,  or friends. However, does it ever get to the point where your infatuation with pleasing others takes over your life?

 

A few weeks ago I was sitting in a work meeting when my boss asked who would be available to work a Saturday for a special banquet. While the other employees waited to respond (I’m sure because they were thinking about their previous plans), I eagerly volunteered—thus cancelling out any other plans I had for the day.

 

It wasn’t until Friday this past when my boss asked me how the semester ended up for me? Somehow, that question spurred into a conversation about me spending time in areas I really deemed important verses always trying to please other first.

 

It was at this moment that I realized my infatuation with pleasing others.

 

Whether it is being the team leader in a group project or volunteering to work for others on my days off, I love serving others! This is good to an extent, yet too much of anything is bad.

 

During my recent reading in the book A Purpose Driven Life, I have come to really reflect on whom I am trying to please. It is important to be our best for everyone—yet it is also important to please the one that really matters. It feels great to have others praise your hard work, yet if your hard work is not serving something larger than yourself, larger than us, then is that really how you want to spend your energy?

 

As the summer begins, it is a perfect time to re-evaluate who we are trying to please. Forget about those expectations of your family, forget about those few percentages that make up your grade for six months of your entire life, and think about how you will please that relationship that it truly important to you?

 

What are my summer plans? Well, as of right now I am sticking around Manhattan for two more weeks to assist with the KS State FFA Convention, and then on May 31^st leaving town to serve in an internship with Cargill in Wichita KS doing corporate training. During my term in Wichita with Cargill I hope to gain a new insight into a career I may be interested in, but more importantly I hope to take the extra time working on personal improvement. My goal is to work on improving my personal discipline in mind, body, and spirit (no, I have not become a hippie, just some one interested in being the best me I can be).

 

This summer, choose to say no to your infatuation with pleasing everyone around you, and ask yourself how will you improve who you are as a person? How will you serve those who really matter to you? Don’t just let this summer be a break from classes, but really use it. How will you be a better person when you return to school? Who do you really want to be and how can you get there?

 

I'll be working on it….will you take part in this journey? The choice is yours. 

Here is to you!

People walk in and out of our lives, but only true friends leave footprints on your heart. 

Finals week is here! No only are many of us students wishing we had doodled less in class and listened more, but we are also realizing that the summer is nearing! Exciting...but also a bit sad. This Saturday is KSU Graduation, a time where friends celebrate their hard work and relationships they have built the past years. 

Although I am not graduating, some of my dear friends are. To those of you who will be leaving us here at KSU to join the "real-world workforce," thank you. You will always be with me in my heart-I couldn't ask for better friends. 

For those of you staying around...can't wait to create more KSU memories together and enjoy living in the purple city just a little bit longer! 

A Snapshot of You

Every Wednesday I attend a two-hour leadership course at Kansas State University called “Leadership in Practice.” This Wednesday was our final class, and a powerful one at that.

Heather, one of our teachers, decided to show us one of her favorite inspirational videos called “Celebrate what is Right with the World.” It is a story told by a National Geographic photographer who has learned many different life lessons through his photo shoots across the world.

While watching this clip, I couldn’t help but jot down quotes the photographer made about his journeys.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

 

“You won’t see it until you believe it”

 

“Celebrate what is right with every situation”

 

“Be the best YOU for the world”

 

“Light shines not on us, but from within us”

 

“Change equals possibilities. Times of change have the most potential.”

 

“It is on the edge where we find the wings to take us higher”

 

“There is a difference in living for success and for significance”

 

While the photographer made MANY good points, there are two that really stuck in my mind: 1) Be the best YOU for the world, and 2) It is on the edge where we find the wings to take us higher.

 

1)   Be the best YOU for the world.

Yesterday I bought and began reading the book called A Purpose Driven Life. The title is pretty self-explanatory as to what the books point is all about. What is your purpose here on earth?

The first chapter mentions how we are all put here on this planet to fulfill a specific purpose. You were no accident, but rather specifically created to serve this world in a unique way only you can. Every talent you have, skill you develop, personality trait you posses, and even your appearance has been designed to help you serve your purpose. 

Our photographer friend found his purpose photographing the world to share with others. He mentions how he strives to find the unique beauty in every situation—he knows it is there he just has to find it.  He changes his angels and point of view to shoot an even better picture for his audience to enjoy. Our photographer friend strives to improve for the world, not for himself.

In order to find and fill your purpose you must strive to improve yourself not for you, but for the world. Who are you to keep all your god-given gifts to yourself? They are meant to be shared to make this world a better place.

So, in times you are seeking motivation—think of the world. Those people living right next to you each day should be your motivation, your reasoning for working hard and striving for continuous growth. Even if you don’t know what exactly your purpose is yet, that is ok, by improving yourself eventually it will all fall into place.

2)   It is on the edge where we find our wings to take us higher.

Two weeks ago I saw a clip from a commercial for Honda engines. It has a race car driver talking about taking racing to the limits. She mentioned how there is a find line between going your fastest to win the race and driving to the point of recklessness. Every time she practices she pushes that  boundary, taking it to the point where she is as close as she can be to driving without crashing the car, and then she goes just a little bit farther. This is what the truly successful car drivers must do to continue to improve. Push to your limit, and then push just a little but harder to create a new dividing line for next time.

 

No, I am not telling you to go out and start drag racing the first person you see. Rather use this theory of “pushing to the edge” in other areas of your life. Perhaps you do this by deciding to run that extra mile you feel you are too exhausted to run. Maybe you take on a new project at work that stretches your current knowledge base.  Possibly you make a decision to take a heavier course load of classes next semester and make the commitment to study a set amount of hours a week.

 

If we are always on stable ground, we will never find the wings to really take off and fly into something even better than what we are experiencing now.  Settling for status quo is boring! Push yourself and feel the job of achieving a new bench mark in your overall goals!

 

Think about it…

 

Be the Best YOU for the World,

and

Push Yourself  to the Edge and Find the Wings to take You Higher.

Say Yes and Enjoy!

The name of this website’s collection of blog is “Choose to Live.” This was spurred by my personal mission statement which is centered around making those daily choices to live life—take hold of as many opportunities as possible and embrace the experiences!

This is one of the ways I strive to live my life, but like everyone, we are not always perfect.

The past few weeks I have found myself saying yes  to more and more work/club related activities. Somehow if there is a group project in a class, I receive the automatic “leader of project” status and add yet another task on my check list. For those over-achievers like myself, this sounds wonderful at the time. We can go for weeks working our tail off and feeling good because we are productive; however, there comes a point where that brick/steal double plated wall smacks you in the face! You suddenly realize that you have been saying “yes” to too many of the wrong things. YES should come more often with those experiences that don’t go on your task list, but rather on your calendar as an exciting event you can’t wait for!

This Saturday night after a long week of work and meetings, I decided to take a personal night. I went to a redbox and rented the movie “Yes Man,” with Jim Carey. First off, anything with Jim Carey can put a smile on my face, so that was a bonus before the movie even began! Second, whether you are a movie person or not, this movie has a message everyone should hear!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes I picked up on:

“You say yes to the world and you will receive yes in return.

When you say yes to things, you embrace the impossible."  –“Yes Man” program Creator

“When you say no, you say no to life."  –“Yes Man” Program Creator

“Every time an opportunity presents itself, you will say yes."  –“Yes Man” program Creator

“The world is a playground! We knew this as children but some how we forgot it.” –Girl Jim Carey Likes

The core message of the “Yes Man” movie is the get out of your normal routine and say yes to new experiences! My favorite quote was said by the character in the movie who Jim Carey ends up liking. She relates the world to a playground. For some reason, the older we get the more professional-minded we are conditioned to be. Because of this, we often forget about just how fun the simplest of activities can be. Swinging in an old tire swing, having a water fight, rolling around in the mud, or even just taking a hike and appreciating the beauty that surrounds you.

 

The key to stepping onto that playground we call the world…you must say yes. This doesn’t mean say yes to more work-related activities, no, I am talking about saying yes to those non-work and life-fulfilling engagements. The next time a friend asks you to go for a walk or dress up goofy for a movie premiere—say yes. Even when you think you want to say no, once you go you will not regret it.

IDEAS TO TRY:

-Take a Hike and see a sunset/sunrise

-Go to the park and play on the playground—they aren’t just there for kids!

-Start a book-study with friends

-Sign up for a run/walk that benefits a non-profit group

-Take a day for just you and some friends! Go fishing, shopping, take a road-trip, etc.

-Learn to play an instrument

-Hang out with that acquaintance you see in class each day; ask them out to coffee

-Do something random and special for a friend

-Buy flowers for your bedroom

-Have a dinner party with friends

 

I am guilty of being struck with the “over-achiever syndrome.” Yet, the important things is to be aware of when these over-committed times come and work to fix the way you spend your time. Why? Simple, because your happiness depends upon it.

 

Today, find time to say yes to a rejuvenating, fun, and out-of the-box life experience and “Choose to Live.”

 

 

Connectedness--Power to Change the World

You’ve probably heard the saying that we are all six people away from knowing everyone in this world. Just this past year I met someone who is good friends with Chuck Norris’s mom, a person who has a friend that is related to Osama Benladen, and the neighbor of  Randy Owen from the country band Alabama. Through the people we know, and they people that they know, we could be connected to all 6.8 billion people on this earth.

Right now you may be thinking “Well that is neat Becky. But why should I really care?”

You should care because of this fact’s power.

For example…

Yesterday I was sitting in my boss’s office when one of my friends, Ashley, walked entered. Being a girl, I naturally looked down at her shoes (yes, I know, don’t make fun of my feminine behaviors).

“Are those TOMs Ashley?!"

“YEA! You have any, because if not you totally need to get some!”

With a confused face, my boss interrupted “What are these TOM shoes?”

 

Ashley then went on to tell us in the office about how TOM shoes is a company created to provide footwear for children in third world countries. TOM Shoes have a “One for One” philosophy. For every pair of shoes purchased, they provide a pair of shoes to a child in need.

 

I had heard about TOM shoes before, yet never really took the action to go online and order a pair. Seeing Ashley sporting her canvas green TOMS reminded me that this is something I had been wanting to do for some time. On their website (www.tomeshoes.com) it talks about how 4 out of the 6 billion people in this world live in conditions unthinkable to most.

A man named Black Mycoskie traveled to Argentina and found that many of the children there had no shoes. In order to reach food, water, and medical care they would often walk many miles barefoot. It was after Black’s experience in Argentina that he grouped together a group to create the TOM Shoes company. Today, TOM Shoes has delivered over 140,000m pairs of shoes to those in need. In 2009 their goal is to reach 300,000 shoes.

How is TOM Shoes going to be able to reach this goal to help our world’s children? Two words, our connectedness. When one person buys a pair of TOM shoes, they have the capability to wear that pair and share the story with their friends and family. Just as Ashley caught my eye and encouraged me to buy a pair of TOMS, you can do the same. If we are all truly six people away from knowing everyone in this world, why don’t we use that statistic to the advantage of others?  Why don’t we use our connections to others to serve those in more need than ourselves?

Just today, after doing my research, I have ordered my first pair of TOM shoes! They should be arriving to my house later this week, and when they do, you better believe I will be sporting the fashion of service and spreading the word!

Thank you to Ashley, and ALL those who use the power of our interwoven lives to promote the importance of helping others. All of us in this world, no matter our heritage, language, color, or demographic location, are connected somehow. Make the choice to serve our brothers and sisters, even in the smallest ways. Who knows, it could all start with a pair of shoes. J