Pastor Trish McRae ~ Chollas View UMC

On Wednesday, I met with my Pastor, Trish McRae at my church, Chollas View UMC. She was able to help me understand the applications of my faith to leadership, as well as some really great pointers. Here's the interview! Enjoy:)

Q: Please provide a quick bio of your life.
A: I was born in Sacramento in 1958. I attended Sacramento City College. From there I went to Seattle Pacific. Afterwards, I attended Yale Divinity School. I then proceeded to work at La Jolla UMC as a children's director. Then I worked at Rolando Community Church. I then went to Chollas View UMC in 1991 and have been here ever since. I'm also the pastor at Lemon Grove UMC.

Q: Please describe your current job.
A: I am the pastor in charge of two United Methodist Churches (UMC). My job entails preaching, giving sacraments (communion, baptism), preforming marriages, overseeing funerals, leading (teaching the scriptures in five different bible studies, discipling (training people in the christian faith in an age range from youth to young adults to adults), pastoral care in the form of counseling, seeing to other people's physical needs, giving guidance, going to court on behalf of others, intervening in family needs, schools situations, and community problems.
***Wow! Did you get all that? She basically does everything!***

Q: What is your leadership style?
A: Humor! Yay! In other words, it is very informal and people orientated. It's not especially... how can I put it... "academic." I also believe that we should do things as a community. Instead of telling people to do things I really have to help people to identify their gifts using guidance as opposed to orders. However, I do have to set boundaries.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a leader?

Best. Selfie. Ever.

A: The advantages of being a leader are seeing people grow and become the people that God wants them to become. On the other hand, the disadvantages are when people don't like what you have to say and the lack of growth that sometimes occurs.

Q: Whom do you lead?
A: I lead all ages. As of right now I am also trying to teach other leaders.

Q: Who are your role models and/or a historical figure that you look up to? Who taught you how to be a leader?
A: Jesus is my #1 role model. My other role models include my spiritual mentor (Joyce), my husband as a spiritual mentor (Dr. Pastor Riley McCrae), a retired businesswoman that lived down the street that was also a Christian and had quite a testimony (Lillian), and a single parent with a real trust in God that really supported me (my Mom).

Q: What are your keys to successful leadership?
A: I'm very different. A lot of leadership deals with the intangibles. I would say that you have to turn to the Lord, trust in the Lord, keep your eyes on God, know that he is there, know that he'll fight the battle, be humble, and have humility.
1) Take up your position and do your homework (learn the facts, make a list of pros and cons, prayer, study, chew on the word, do whatever you have to do to be prepared).
2) Stand firm in your faith. You will want to run away at times out of frustration and discouragement.
3) See the deliverance of the Lord and understand what God wants you to do
DO NOT GET DISTRACTED by yourself or anything else, always be thinking of OTHER people.

Q: What advice do you have for me as an aspiring leader?
A: READ 2nd Chronicles verse 20. It states that you have to trust god and do what he says, worship God, praise him, look for him, and have faith.

Q: What skills should I be developing?

Having a discussion

A: You should be disciplined in reading the bible, after all the word discipline is derived from the word DISCIPLE. Get into the habit of reading the Psalms' and learning about God's love.

Q: How did you get to your position?
A: I had a troubled childhood, but God was there. I started off with the intent of being a missionary (didn't work out). I wanted to be and elementary school teacher (didn't work out). I wanted to be a biologist (didn't work out). I wanted to be a christian missionary (didn't work out). I wanted to be a foreign missionary overseas (didn't work out). I went to seminary and knew I wasn't going to get a Master of the Arts and Religion, so I took Divinity. I ended up helping out at a protestant service with a pastor and somehow ended up in ministry (FINALLY). After many trial-and-error opportunities, I finally ended up in the right place, the place where God wanted me to be as he fulfills the desires of our hearts (sometimes even the ones that we don't know are there).

Danielle Baldwin ~ Cox Communications

Special thanks to Mrs. Baldwin for doing this interview for me and Ms. Roya for setting it up. You guys are great!:)

Q: Please describe your current job.

Danielle Baldwin

A: I work for Cox Communications as a Senior Project Manager on the business side for voice products. In other words, I handle complicated phone services for businesses with all sorts of features. 

Q: What is your leadership style?

A: I am flexible, which means I listen and adapt to different people. For example, there are some people who always want direct, simple, straight forward, and to the point conversations and others that prefer softer, more "beat around the bush" techniques - it simply depends on the person and their style. You just have to make yourself accessible to people. 

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a leader? 

A: The advantages are that you get to help people develop and grow. The disadvantages are the difficult decisions such as firing/ letting people go. But, you know, you just have to go with your gut and know that they can't stay employed and even though it can be hard to make the decisions, they are necessary. 

Q: Whom do you lead?

A: Right now I don't have any direct reports, but at my old position I did have people that reported to me.

Q: Who are your role models and/or a historical figure that you look up to? Who taught you how to be a leader?

A: I really look up to John Wooden. Have you read any books by him? You should. * He's my hero and I just really love his style. I've had the opportunity to work with some really good leaders and some really bad ones and I just learn a ton from both. I emulate those that I like and I try to refrain from making the same mistakes that the bad ones make.

Q: What are your keys to successful leadership?

A: My style, again, is to listen  and use a socratic method at meetings. I live by the talk 20%, listen 80% method because to me it is important to help guide people towards their own decisions so that they don't feel like you're telling them what to do. You want them to make the decision themselves. In other words, give them all you can without taking over.

Q: What advice do you have for me as an aspiring leader? 

A: You're doing a great job! Listening, and continuing to learn are going to be the things that you need to focus on the most. I'm a big believer in that you learn your entire life and curiosity, passion for what you're doing, and just furthering your knowledge are incredibly important. You really have to want it and be willing to go for it!

Q: What skills should I be developing? 

A: Your communication, writing, presentation, verbal communication, and relationship skills are really key.

Q: Do you think leadership skills transcend the work place? How so?

A: Absolutely. All day everyday leadership skills are important. I am involved in lots of nonprofits. In fact, right now one of my projects is starting a charter school. There is a significant home importance. You have to be humble. Plus, you can apply your skill anywhere. 

Q: How did you get to your position? 

A: I actually had a set plan at about your age but life takes you in and spits you out and you end up somewhere - it's not always where you think you'll go either. You have to be passionate about what you're doing. In fact, when I was about 15, I told my mom that I would never work in sales. Look where I ended up! I actually took school pretty seriously and made it through grad school, which was really good for me but my point is that you have to take different opportunities (like I did) and know that your grand plan might not always work out and that life is a journey.

Q: Career path? 

A: Nope, that about sums it up. You just have to be passionate about it. My passion is helping people, especially because I find other people fascinating. 

Q: Were you/are you mentored by someone? 

A: I have been being mentored since my first day at my job and I still have several mentors. I have one in particular that is really significant to me and I meet with regularly that helps me to get insight when I need it and is really great.

*I actually have a book by him checked out right now!

Samaya ~ ASB President

Today I interviewed my friend Samaya, the president of our school (Roosevelt IB Middle School) ASB (Associated Student Body) as my first interview. This was very exciting considering it was the first interview for this project! I am scheduled for an Interview with a woman from Cox Communications this evening at 8p.m. Today I also met with my Seminar Symposium facilitator, Mr. Cortes, and I left with the excited feeling that this project is finally coming together. Again, special thanks to Samaya Elder for doing an interview with me!!!

Q: What does leadership mean to you?
A: I think leadership is being an example to others and guiding them in the right direction by nurturing, instructing, or helping them out.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a leader?
A: One advantage of being a leader is that great feeling that you get when a project/assignment/activity goes well and you know that you played a major role in the process of completing it. A disadvantage of being a leader is when a project/assignment/activity doesn't go well and you are criticized or blamed for it.

Q: Whom do you lead?
A: I lead the ASB (Associated Student Body) as their president.

Q: Who are your role models and/or a historical figure that you look up to?
A: I look up to my parents because they have taught me so many life lessons and some of my peers because of the quality work and the personalities that they have.

Q: What are your keys to success?
A: I think that a good leader respects others, refrains from being bias, is nice, and is themselves.

Q: What advice do you have for me as an aspiring leader?
A: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, be able to take criticism, and know that some people just aren't going  to like you no matter what. Also, sometimes you have to be bossy to get work done.

Q: Is the ability to speak in front of a crowd important to you? Why or why not?
A: To me it's very important to be able to speak in front of a crowd because sometimes you have to give instruction, host events, and to lead a group it's kind of necessary.

Q: Please provide a quick description of your current job.
A: I am the President of ASB, so my job is to host school dances, fundraise for events, be the "face" of ASB, and unite the student body.

Q: Please provide a quick bio of your life.
A: I was born and raised in San Diego, CA and have lived here my whole life. I am a 13 year old girl with lots of dreams that wants to be successful in life. I love Niall from one direction and watching videos on youtube. Yay!

Fun Question: If you could have dinner with someone, living or dead who would that be? Why?
A: If I could dine with anyone, it would have to be Dan Howell because he has inspired me to lead others by being myself and setting a good example. 




***A picture of her will be coming soon***

Listen for Potential ~ Quiet Leadership

"Talk with someone and see what happens..."

Today I spoke with Aylin, my science partner. We chatted about lots of things such as her favorite show now a days.., and somehow our conversation drifted to 1,000 ways to die and her favorite scenes. It was great just to listen and have a calm and cool conversation. We also chatted about nails and hair and dumb TV commercials. I found myself listening and joking with her. It was great. At some point in the conversation and that was fun too. I guess the point of this conversation was to enjoy chatting, though I'm not sure.

Quiet Leadership ~ David Rock

This is my third book for this project and well, frankly I'm excited to see what it has to offer me in terms of new or repeated information. If it is repeated then I'll know that there are common themes between people and that the information must be important. It's akin to what they say about the bible - how when things are repeated, or there are patterns then they are important.

Cover:
From just looking at the cover I get a pretty strong sense of what I am to find in this book. "Help people think better - Don't tell them what to do!" Is located directly below the title and so that seems to be what it will be about at first glance.

Inside Cover:
David Rock identifies his understanding of the frustration that comes with going around in circles as a leader and his goal to help break that cycle. This is a "brain-based approach" is to help improve the work of the leader and his colleagues. This book provides a 6-step guide to do so and so that you (the reader) can perform at their best.

Introduction:
In this introduction the author explains his intent to explain the 6-step guide for quiet leadership and helping to create better interactions between people. He also uses a disclaimer to show that he is going to use very scientific terms... but try to explain them all the while. (hmmm... this may be a deal breaker, we'll have to see...)

Notes:
There are some useful exercises that I might use! Look for them in later posts... I think that these are all that I'm going to use from this book due to the content.

Insights I Got From Noticing How I Listen to People ~ Quiet Leadership

As I listened to my mother talk about her work day and what she had/had not accomplished. I found myself listening for a chance to be funny because at some points in our conversation the tone dipped into a little bit of anger, depression, and frustration. I was listening to some external distractions, though I did try rather hard to block out both my brother's conversation with my father and the basketball game. I was listening to what was going on with her as to be supportive and a good daughter and howI could help (though in this respect it seemed that just talking it out with her was the most help). And, finally, I was listening to understand her problems/dilemmas. All in all, it was a pretty good conversation in that I was a fairly active listener - though after making these points I should definitely strive to be even better at this as listening is a HUGE part of leadership.

Mom & I in Kauai Zip Lining

Women Lead The Way ~ Linda Tarr-Whelan

My experience of reading more than half of "On Leadership" was not a pleasant one. It turned out to be a very dull and tedious book that in an overall sense wasn't very informative at all. Today I journeyed to the Chula Vista Public Library and I checked out several new books. From now on I will be skimming and scanning to pull the key information out of the text. My mother and I discussed this strategy and she was a big help in finding the new material. I am also hoping to get all of my interviews completed this week so that I am not extremely stressed in the next three weeks before this symposium project is due.

On the inside cover:
Linda states that her goal is to make the 30% plan happen (here she has not explained it) and to close the leadership gap between men and women. She also hopes that the book will help more women to either get into leadership or help aspiring leaders to improve their tactics and become more successful.

Foreword:
Marie Wilson explains how women are underused and only occupy between 16% and 20% of major leadership positions. She advocates for the 30% plan (though at this point I still have no idea what that is), tells that women are catalysts for change, and explains her relationship with Linda, the writer of the book.

Preface:
Linda explains her belief that having more women leaders can make a big difference. The book is supposed to be a guide to becoming a transformational woman leader. She tells of her own rocky journey and how she hope that this book will make the journey for others easier. The 30% plan makes it so that at least one-third of a decision-making group as women can have powerful positive outcomes ( Yay I finally know what that is!). She also explains how one of her other goals is to eradicate degrading and untrue myths for women. Also, we must help other women climb up with us to create equality.

Introduction:
She opens with a blurb on an inspirational pin that sits on her desk and goes on to explain the link between Rwanda's success and the majority of women leaders that is present in that country and the link that that has to its success. She then goes into paralysis of women in the home due to family responsibilities (though this does not apply to me now, it will in the future so it is a good point).

Takeaways:
* The 30% plan is essential to success (189 countries have ratified it, including the U.S.)
* Companies with more woman directors have more success
* Women bring fresh ideas (In India women brought huge change)
* Sometimes our climb to the top is stalled or very slow
* Much of our power and ideas remain unused
* Bring more leaders up with you to create faster change
* Nothing is impossible (The word itself says I'm Possible - hehehe)
* Do everything you can to decrease the possibility of failure
* Make a difference by being ready when opportunity knocks
* New women leaders is exactly what we need today
* You can never think too big