Week 9: Disciple Leadership

Entrepreneurial Discovery Diaries:

A Journal

by Nicolette Semmelmeyer

Week 9: Disciple Leadership

Embarking on Week 9 of my entrepreneurial journey, I delve into "Disciple Leadership," a theme that marries spiritual growth and entrepreneurial ambition. Drawing wisdom from various sources, I've discovered the profound impact of integrating leadership principles, moral fortitude, and the pursuit of excellence into my multifaceted role as a wife, mother, student, and aspiring entrepreneur. This journey through leadership lessons has illuminated the path to achieving greatness in business and enriching the personal and spiritual facets of life, laying a foundation for a legacy marked by integrity, innovation, and impact. Lessons from Reading In Elder David A. Bednar's devotional about BYU-Idaho being a Disciple Preparation Center, my crucial takeaway as an aspiring entrepreneur is the emphasis on discipleship in learning and living Christ's teachings. This approach, paralleling the focus and intensity of missionary training with rigorous academic and spiritual education, serves as a foundational principle for developing integrity, leadership, and resilience in entrepreneurial endeavors. Understanding the importance of a value-driven approach to business and life, rooted in spiritual growth and service, profoundly impacts my journey as an entrepreneur. From "A Message to Garcia," I learned the invaluable lesson of initiative and execution, attributes critical for any aspiring entrepreneur. Colonel Rowan's unwavering commitment to delivering the message without seeking further guidance illustrates the essence of responsibility and resourcefulness. This story underscores the importance of acting decisively and effectively in the face of ambiguity, traits that can distinguish an individual in any venture. It reinforces the idea that success is not just about having talent or education but the ability to carry out tasks with minimal oversight, a philosophy I aim to embody in my entrepreneurial journey. President Kim B. Clark's commencement speech left a lasting impact on me, emphasizing the significance of "leadership with a small 'L'" and providing timeless principles applicable in professional settings and within our families. His insights on leading by example, leading with vision, and leading with love resonate deeply, reminding me of the importance of aligning my actions with the values I wish to instill, connecting daily actions with eternal principles, and nurturing relationships with genuine care and compassion. Reflecting on his words, I am inspired to embody humility, vision, and love in my leadership journey, personally and professionally. I am grateful for the wisdom shared, guiding me as I strive to become a disciple-leader in all aspects of my life. From the summary of "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, my key takeaways are the critical importance of disciplined people, thought, and action in transitioning from good to great. The concepts of Level 5 Leadership and the Hedgehog Concept particularly resonated with me, emphasizing the need for humility combined with professional will and a focused approach to what a company can be the best at, what drives its economic engine, and what ignites passion among its people. This framework provides a powerful guide for aspiring entrepreneurs like myself to build companies that achieve greatness and sustain it over time by focusing on what truly matters and continuously striving for excellence in those areas. Delving deeper into the concepts discussed, I plan to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship by integrating the principles of disciple leadership and trust-building into my daily operations. For instance, facing the challenge of team cohesion and motivation, I will apply the "Level 5 Leadership" traits by fostering an environment where humility and professionalism will encourage collective achievement. Similarly, the "baker" mindset and "defaulting to yes" will guide me in building trust with partners and clients, ensuring our interactions are rooted in mutual benefit and respect. This conscious application of disciple leadership principles promises to solve immediate challenges and cultivate a sustainable and ethically driven business culture. Reflecting on the profound lessons from Elder Bednar's "A Message to Garcia," President Kim B. Clark, and the insights from "Good to Great," I'm inspired to apply these principles directly to my entrepreneurial journey. For instance, the emphasis on discipleship and integrity challenges me to evaluate my business practices and leadership style, ensuring they align with my core values. Facing the challenge of scaling my business while maintaining a culture of innovation and ethical integrity, I see the "Level 5 Leadership" traits as crucial for guiding my team toward sustainable success. Moreover, the initiative and resourcefulness exemplified by Colonel Rowan in "A Message to Garcia" is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-reliance and proactive problem-solving in navigating the unpredictable waters of entrepreneurship. These reflections deepen my understanding of leadership and fuel my commitment to embodying these principles in every aspect of my business operations. Lessons from Videos From watching Guy Kawasaki's talk on "Aspects of Building Trust," I learned the importance of initiating trust to cultivate trustworthiness. The key takeaways include understanding that trust is foundational and must begin with us trusting others first, exemplified by companies like Amazon, Zappos, and Nordstrom. Furthermore, adopting a "baker" mindset over an "eater" mindset promotes a positive, abundant approach to interactions and opportunities. Lastly, defaulting to "yes" and focusing on how we can help others rather than how they can help us builds stronger, trust-based relationships. From watching Frank Levinson's discussion on "Hiring Ethical People," I learned the significance of prioritizing moral values and niceness in building effective teams and sustaining a positive company culture. Levinson emphasizes hiring individuals who are not just skilled but also ethical and genuinely lovely, highlighting that such qualities are fundamental for teamwork and long-term retention. The approach of treating employees and clients with respect, valuing their lives outside work, and standing behind your product as a testament to ethical business practices are critical takeaways for any aspiring entrepreneur aiming to build a successful, ethically grounded business. From Carly Fiorina's "Leadership and Capability" talk, I learned that effective leadership hinges on three core elements: capability, collaboration, and character. Capability transcends mere skills and experiences, emphasizing the importance of inquiry and listening, with a particular focus on customer satisfaction as a leading indicator of business health. Leadership also involves a continuous commitment to innovation, risk-taking, and learning. Fiorina's insights underline leaders' need to remain adaptable, continuously seek new knowledge, and embrace change as a fundamental component of sustained success and growth. From Jim Ritchie's talk "Achieving Higher Ground," I gleaned insights into the essence of leadership and its transformative impact. As illustrated through historical and contemporary examples, great leaders possess the profound ability to elevate others, demonstrating moral courage, ethical behavior, and a commitment to justice and the greater good. These narratives underscore the belief that leadership involves self-sacrifice, the willingness to stand for truth, and the capacity to inspire collective action toward noble causes. As an aspiring entrepreneur, these lessons emphasize the importance of embodying these qualities to effect meaningful change and lead purposefully. From Jim Ritchie's discussion on "Good to Great," I absorbed the importance of transitioning from good to exceptional through a mix of leadership, strategic team composition, and passion for one's work. Emphasizing Level 5 leadership—marked by humility and determination—alongside ensuring the right team composition and having a deep belief and passion for one's product or service, Ritchie highlights a formula for achieving greatness. This approach, underpinned by setting ambitious goals (BHAGs), offers a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs like myself, stressing that greatness requires a harmonious blend of personal development, strategic vision, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Drawing from these insightful talks, I am committed to integrating the core principles of trust, ethical leadership, and continuous learning into the fabric of my entrepreneurial pursuits. Specifically, the emphasis on hiring ethical people resonates deeply with me as I consider expanding my team. By prioritizing candidates who exhibit competence and embody kindness and integrity, I am confident we can build a resilient and innovative team capable of overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities with grace. These lessons from videos will serve as guiding lights as we strive to make a business that succeeds commercially and contributes positively to the world around us. Reflecting on the rich insights gained from the videos, it becomes evident how these lessons are pivotal in shaping my approach to entrepreneurship. The wisdom imparted by Guy Kawasaki, Frank Levinson, Carly Fiorina, and Jim Ritchie illuminates my strategy for incorporating trust, ethical practices, leadership excellence, and the pursuit of greatness into the very fabric of my business. For example, embracing Kawasaki's 'baker' philosophy will guide my collaborative efforts, ensuring that we seek shared growth and prosperity. Moreover, Levinson's advocacy for ethical hiring reinforces my commitment to assembling a team characterized by skill, integrity, and kindness. Fiorina's discussion on leadership underlines the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning, while Ritchie's narrative inspires me to aim for lofty goals with persistence and dedication. These lessons will be instrumental as I navigate the entrepreneurial landscape, aiming to create a business that excels in profitability and positively impacts society. Pondering the teachings from the readings and videos, I'm propelled to infuse these valuable insights into my entrepreneurial ventures. As I contemplate Guy Kawasaki's advocacy for building trust, I acknowledge its immediate significance in my startup, highlighting the foundation of team dynamics and customer relationships. Similarly, Frank Levinson's emphasis on ethical hiring echoes my plans for team expansion, stressing the collective moral direction. Carly Fiorina's discourse on leadership and capability steers me toward a continuous learning and innovation culture, which is essential for staying ahead in the technological landscape. Lastly, Jim Ritchie's narratives of transcending from good to great serve as a beacon of visionary leadership. These musings will inform my future decisions, ensuring that the ethos of integrity, innovation, and ethical leadership are intricately woven into my path toward creating a thriving business and a life enriched by the lives it touches.