Finding Love and Forgiveness in the Workplace

From class Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007:

I really gained a lot from our discussions on Tuesday. Sometimes it seems that everything in the world is teaching the same subject; this week's subject seems to be teams. The neat thing is that I'm finding a lot of applications to the things I've been learning.

It was interesting to discuss "love" in an organization. I thought about the different forms of management that are around. From personal experience, the carrot dangling isn't always effective. I worked construction last semester, and we had a bonus system. We could have ended up with a few thousand dollars, but... Bonuses are sweet, but it's tough to stay constantly motivated.

Whipping into shape doesn't work well for me either. I remember working on my Eagle, and I was not allowed to get my drivers license until I got my badge. Oh, how I kicked and screamed and hated life. As a result of my miserable life, my parents' lives were also miserable to a certain extent as well. I remember another time that we had moved just before my senior year of high school. I was definately bitter about it, and resolved to get in my car and move back. My mom didn't like that, and told me flat out that the title was in her name, and that if I left she would call the cops on me for auto theft. I was trapped, and it was not pleasant. Once again, I made life unbearable for my parents. It took some time to change my attitude and come around. Force may work at times, but it does have its costs.

Putting a blinder on.... well, in theory it should work, right? I have a few issues with that, however. What would have happened if blinders had been placed on Adam and Eve? They would have been forced to be righteous, and as a result, they'd probably still be in the garden and we wouldn't be here! Ultimately, putting blinders on removes choice and accountability, and we know that without choices we are nothing. Clearly that's not the way to go either.

That leaves us with what? Love. Charity. Kindness. It's a fairly new idea to me to include those concepts in the workplace, but it makes perfect sense. What makes Stephen Covey so successfull? He's applying gospel principles without saying what they are. So why can't we be successful as well, and just apply our religion to our lives? When someone loves you and honestly wants to help you, barriers are broken down and people are much more willing to cooperate.

Also, where is forgiveness in the workplace? Love and forgiveness go hand in hand, do they not? We need to be more understanding of people's mistakes, and be more like our Savior when working with others. This includes seeing people as who they really are- God's children- and not just as some object or thing.

If we'll incorporate these principles- love, forgiveness, understanding and kindness- we'll see a change in our lives, as well in the lives of those around us. People will be more willing to help and work with us, and we'll be closer to our Savior in the end as well.

Lessons in Leadership

The best lessons I've had in leadership have come from experiences in my mission and marriage. They sound like generic things, but they have both been powerful experiences that forced me to be a leader.

My mom has always been an incredible communicator, and I have learnded a lot through her patient example. Also, I am constantly amazed at the General Authorities and how they're able to teach the people of the world so effectively, which is no small task!

I've been part of countless organizations. First came family. Boy scouts, cub scouts, church, schools, choirs, service clubs, missions, Macey's food and drug, Shopko, Tom Addis Ford, BYU-Idaho Career Services and Human Resources, and now also my own family. The list is endless as we are always part of one organization or another.

My experiences in these have taught me to be a much better person. I've learned hard work and integrity, coupled with cheerfulness. Ultimately, my participation has taught me to be who I am today.

I believe that the traditional American hotdog is best when covered in ketchup, mustard, and sweet relish. There is nothing better that relish can be on. Now, if you add chilli and cheese and sour cream on top.... words can't describe what a beautiful thing that can be!

I have moved probably around 11 times since birth, excluding my mission. I was born in Blackfoot, and moved to Sandy and then Riverton, Utah. At the end of my junior year, my family moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (no, I was not happy!). I now obviously live here in Rexburg where my wife and I go to school.

I am really proud of the changing table that I built for my wife for Christmas. I took her brother's old desk and totally refinished it, which I hadn't really done before. I never even really saw a baby changing table but knew what it was and went to work. It turned out great.

I am really interested in working for the church in some form or another. I would love to work here at BYU-Idaho (which is probably in part because I work for the Human Resource Dept.) I am interested in human resource management, and would like to learn more about exactly what organizational consulting really is.

As far as goals are concerned, for a short term goal I just want to get through my wife's pregnancy and still make it through school as well. I also want to be totally debt free within 3 years and be preparing to buy a house.

This is me!

Hello everyone! Ben and Michelle are now gone worldwide!

Here's a little about us. We met Winter semester '06 at BYU-Idaho. We went on our first date January 28 and we have seen or talked to eachother every day since! It wasn't long before we knew it was right, so we were engaged on February 28. We were then married April 28, 2006 in the Bountiful, Utah temple.

We are still living in Rexburg, Idaho. Michelle graduates in April '07 with a BS in University Studies; Ben is working on a BS in Communication and will finish July 08.

Little Rachel Brooke is preparing to make her big debut on May 4, and her parents couldn't be happier! Their world revolves around the unborn princess!