While I was studying Come, Follow Me in Dec, I read the story of Jane Elizabeth. She was a Black woman in the early days of the Church. At that time, the priesthood was not given to Black members. Because of her race, she was refused a seat on a wagon traveling from Connecticut to Nauvoo. And because of that, she had to walk more than 500 miles to get there.

Even after she arrived in Nauvoo, her situation did not become easier. No one in her family held the priesthood. She could have felt angry or unfairly treated, and that would have been understandable. However, instead of focusing on the unfairness, she chose to be more faithful.

Jane believed that this was part of Gods plan, even though she did not understand it. In uncertain and painful circumstances, she remained devoted to the Church and to her faith.

Jane passed away at the age of 95. During her lifetime, she never saw the priesthood given to Black members of the Church. Many years later, President Spencer W. Kimball announced Official Declaration 2. It declared:

Jane herself did not receive these blessings during her life. However, because she remained faithful, her family and her descendants were later able to receive the blessings of the priesthood and the temple.

Her story made me think about my own life. As a student and an international student, I often feel uncertain about my education, my career, and my future. Many times, I have wanted clear answers and strong reassurance from God. When I felt like there was no clear guidance, I sometimes felt disappointed or frustrated.

Through Janes example, I learned a deeper meaning of faith. Faith is not always about receiving immediate answers. Sometimes, it is about trusting God without conditions and without full understanding. Janes life taught me that sincere and consistent faith can bring blessings, even if we do not see them right away. Her story reminded me that Gods timing is different from ours, and that trust itself can be an act of faith.

Becoming a parent is an extremely stressful life occurrence. Whenever youre about to go into a new phase of life or achieve something, people always try to tell you how its going to be. People warn you about the joys and pains that you might encounter, or how the system is built, so you can utilize it better than they did. Everyone will offer their advice and their experiences of how certain things went for them, but make no mistake, nothing will ever fully prepare you for what you are about to face.

Dont get me wrong, the experiences of others can help us make the proper adjustments to our own thinking and cover potential gaps that we might have missed initially. Then we go and gain more experience so that when we offer our advice, it's more developed than the previous advice you received. On a large scale, this is how they make medical and scientific breakthroughs. On a smaller scale, its how teams can learn and make adjustments where needed. A similar example is using history books and documents to learn from the mistakes of previous nations and wars.

Evolution is proof that even on a molecular level, all life is capable of implementing the feedback of the environment and the experiences of past generations. Afterwards, they build on them with their own experiences and add them to the database of information. Life itself follows an iterative pattern designed to respond and adapt to change. The ability to learn and implement change is a divine gift given to us directly by our Heavenly Parents. So that we can take information from others past experiences, apply it to our situation, and build more experiences that can later be shared and applied to others.

Being a parent is extremely stressful, but it's also the most fulfilling thing I have in my life. I got a lot of advice from my parents and others, but that will never be a replacement for what I experience every day with my daughter. But I know Im gaining more information to share with her when she has her own family

Last spring, I adopted a beautiful 3-year-old mustang (wild horse). I expected the whole process of training her to be pretty standard, so I blocked out a day on my schedule to come down to my familys ranch and break her. Long story short, training this horse was anything but standard. Six hours in and this mustang still hadnt let me so much as touch her. As soon as I would get within 10 feet, she would rear up and take off, either ripping the rope from my hands or launching me across the corral. Annoyed and defeated, after a full-days work I had nothing to show for it except a few bruises and some new teasing material for my amused older brothers.

Two weeks later I got a text from my father,

Your mustang is giving birth, get to the ranch ASAP.

When I got there, I found the baby colt fast asleep, and with his mother distracted by a bucket of grain, I immediately crawled in and laid beside him. Cuddling him and expressing love, I watched in terror as the mother (who previously hadnt let me get within 10 feet) charged towards me and put her face mere inches from mine. Suddenly, feeling her shaky exhale directly in my face, I reconsidered my life decisions and feared the worst. Shockingly though, instead of trying to kill me, seeing my affection toward her son, she decided to trust me, and finally let me pet her for the first time. With this new-found trust, she was easy to train and I was riding her though the mountains in no-time!

Leading a team is like breaking a horse. No amount of forcing people to accept your will is going to lead a team to high-performance. Before trying to force it, you should first establish genuine relationships of trust. This can happen through simple acts of service like bringing food or taking a genuine interest in your colleagues hobbies or personal life. Only then will you have the mutual trust to effectively lead. At first this can feel awkward and unprofessional - maybe you will reconsider your life decisions as you chat about Taylor Swifts new boyfriend or their obsession with Magic the Gathering. Although it might feel like a waste of time at first, I promise it is better than hours of frustration at a low preforming team. I have definitely seen at my time in program granite that the more I invest in my friendships with my workstream leads, the more effective our collaboration has been in the long run.

The most powerful leaders in my life have been the ones that care, the ones that sought to cultivate trust. They have become lasting friends and have led our teams to incredible things. They are the ones that remember power and influence can only be maintained by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned So get to know your teammates; If you love first and build trust, youll be riding through the mountains of success in no-time!

Over recent years, the emphasis on workplace diversity and its potential benefits have been recurring themes in corporate discussions. We have heard this in a 2020 article written by Forbes, the opportunities and the positives that come from a diverse workplace, we also heard this in 1996, from the Harvard Business Review, in which they argued that companies that are leveraging the benefits of diversifying, and the companies that are adopting a radically new way of understanding and leveraging diversity could reap the real and full benefits of a diverse workforce. (HBR, 2020) We now know that diversifying the people in your workplace could result in real benefits, but what are the benefits of having a diverse work setting?

The benefits of a diverse work setting are indeed substantial and have been corroborated by various studies over the years. In a comprehensive study conducted by L. E. Gomez and Patrick Bernet in 2019, these benefits were further emphasized. They delved into different research findings, shedding light on the tangible outcomes of workplace diversity.

One of the studies they examined, was a longitudinal study of 2,500 public school districts in 1995-1999, where they measured standardized testing outcomes and drop-out rates of students in high schools. In the diversity Criteria, they included race and representation. They deduced that at the teacher level, more diversity meant improved standardized test scores and lower drop-out rates. In another study they examined, a meta-analysis of 25 studies of diversity and cultural competence in the healthcare industry was investigated. This study found that more racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity results in more accurate diagnoses of patients, higher patient satisfaction, lower long-term costs, and greater compliance.

Beyond these quantitative studies, anecdotal evidence from diverse workplaces has shown the manifold advantages of embracing diversity. For instance, in a female-led workplace, there are evident benefits such as the development of leadership skills, higher job satisfaction, and increased networking opportunities. As an international student, I have personally witnessed the positive influence of diversity in the workplace. One of the most striking aspects is the introduction of a wide range of perspectives, which in turn leads to innovative problem-solving. For instance, my own experience as an international student has allowed me to contribute insights into the admissions process, making it more accessible and accommodating for international applicants. This diversity of backgrounds enables us to bring forward distinct perspectives and stories, enriching the workplace environment.

The presence of diverse voices and perspectives in a workplace enriches the community and allows for a more comprehensive and effective approach to challenges. Embracing diversity is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage that benefits us all as a community.

Sources: https://www.ucdenver.edu/docs/librariesprovider68/default-document-library/jmna-articles-bonu scontent-2.pdf https://hbr.org/2020/11/getting-serious-about-diversity-enough-already-with-the-business-case https://www.apa.org/topics/women-girls/female-leaders-make-work-better#:~:text=Researchers %20surveyed%20members%20of%20a,and%20receive%20support%20from%20others https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED582896.pdf

What is the difference between a program manager and a project manager?

The simplest way to think about this might be that a program contains a series of projects. Frankly its a loose term in the industry. Here at BYU we generally have Service Managers acting as Program Managers.

A project should be a clearly defined set of tasks that when completed achieve the desired goal. For example, if we say we want to build a website for our PMO team - thats a project. There is a post-operational component to keep that website up and running and valuable. The post project work would be called maintenance or operations in the business world.

A program takes a long-term view of one or more products. The program could include both a series of projects and maintenance/operations on products.

I think the important thing is to not get too focused on one set of definitions. Rather, think about what the business requires.

Very often Program Managers are senior in the organization and they hold a lot of power to make decisions on market, budget, direction, roadmaps, etc. The best Program Managers are tightly connected with strategy and tightly aligned with the strategic leaders of the organization.

They direct the initiation and the execution of the projects that are needed to accomplish the program goals.

One example comes from a company I worked for called CorVel. We provided AI rules that automatically digitized and optimized medical billing in the workers comp industry. The Program Manager reported to the CEO of the company. She was equal to the CIO. The CIO had three Vice Presidents (I was one) who reported to him. The work priorities came from the Program Manager and we created projects and operational processes that drove the execution of the core product vision, which accounted for about $250m in revenue and 75% of the companys profit. That is an example of how a major program and product could be managed.

In this article, I provide eight ideas based on my experiences in industry to help you understand the type of person you need to be, and the type of work you have to do, in order to be a successful senior program/product/project manager...

Read the Whole Article Here

In our busy lives it can be difficult to find a balance between work, school, life, hobbies, aspirations and relationships. Our lives are filled with time, but like our outlook calendars, it can be easy for that time to be filled up with lots of commitments. Finding an equilibrium to the chaos is critical, especially in our roles as Agile Coaches. In this article, I will outline a strategy to find that key balance for us to perform in our roles as our best selves.

The first step is proper time management. Setting boundaries is crucial. Establish clear work hours and respect them as you would any other commitment. This separation helps prevent work from encroaching on your personal life and allows you to fully engage with your family, hobbies, and relaxation. When you are at work, devote 100% of your attention to what you are doing so you can be as efficient and productive.

Practicing proper self-care is another critical step towards finding that balance. By regularly exercising and keeping a balanced diet can increase your energy levels and help you to stay focused. However, selfcare doesnt just extend to your physical well-being. Make sure to regularly assess your stress levels and emotional well-being. By doing this, you will be able to show up to work feeling good and ready to be productive.

Finally, ensure that you have a sustainable support system for yourself. Nobodys perfect, and humans are emotional creatures, so we are bound to have our bad days. Lean on your network of fellow Agile coaches or mentors. They can provide guidance, share experiences, and offer a valuable support system. Also, ensure you take vacation and personal days to recharge. Avoid the temptation to work when you have set the time aside to recuperate during these breaks.

As an Agile coach, achieving a work-life balance is an ongoing process. It requires mindfulness, discipline, and a commitment to self-care. A balanced life not only benefits the coach but also positively impacts the teams they support. By setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and seeking support when needed, we can navigate the challenges of our role while maintaining a fulfilling personal life. Remember, finding balance is not a one-time accomplishment but a continuous journey toward personal and professional harmony.

Sources:

https://www.betterup.com/blog/how-to-have-good-work-life-balance

https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5244-improve-work-life-balance-today.html

Balancing work and school life can be a hassle. With a continually decreasing number of classes being offered online, it can be hard to get everywhere you need to be throughout the day. Additionally, having work meetings scheduled at intervals at different places throughout the day can make this almost impossible at times. This requires back and forth from different buildings on campus and leads to large amounts of time spent commuting. Does the PMO team offer anything to help its team members with this problem? Yes we do!

As members of the PMO team, we have access to request and check out service vehicles and parking permits to help us meet the demands of our day. These resources are at the ITB. They come with their own sets of rules and restrictions but are very easy to work with and incredibly helpful at times. Outside of just convenience, it is expected that we resort to these resources when asked to shuttle anyone on any work-related business. Using a personal car is not considered appropriate for this and should be avoided.

How do I utilize these resources? The two different resources we have available are service vehicles and parking permits. Service vehicles are cars available for you to use any time, and the parking permit is a hanging permit that allows you to use a personal vehicle to park in BYU parking lots. To use either, you need to first check availability and reserve them. After doing this, you will go pick up the resource from the front desk on the first floor at the time you reserved it. More detail regarding each check out process below.

To check availability and reserve a service car, head over to your outlook calendar and click New Events to create an event. Update the time to reflect the actual time you will need the car. Go to the invite attendees section and type ITB_IT. You will see a list of all available service cars and their corresponding color. Select a car and then double check that it works with the time you need it. After doing this, you will go to the first-floor reception desk and tell them you are there to get the keys for the *gold* service car (** whichever color car you reserved). They will give you a sheet for you to fill out, recording the time you checked the car out.

The parking pass is very similar. Follow all steps outlined above except type ITB Parking Permit 1. Again, double check the times and make sure it is available for when you need it. IMPORTANT**The parking permit is only allowed to be checked out for a maximum of 30 minutes, if you need to be somewhere longer, check out a service vehicle.** Go pick up the parking pass from the front desk at the time you reserved it.

Upon returning to the ITB, go straight to the front desk and return your resources. (Service vehicles are typically parked on the west side of the ITB, just make sure to park the car where you got it from). They may ask you to check the items in, or they may tell you that they will take care of it. Either way, congratulations! You just successfully utilized resources that are made available to make your life just a little bit easier. An awesome detail to highlight with both these resources is that you can park in service vehicle spots, so you can get some great parking spots during busy hours on campus. So there you have it! Just one more great way to save a little time and make your life easier. Go PMO!

How to get better at asking for help - Dorie Clark

This summer, I learned the importance of communication. I took a lot of vacation time, and I wanted to make sure everything continued to progress in the office while I was away. One of my coworkers was away for an internship and the other had his own projects to work on. Who would take over my work while I was away? I felt bad taking so much time off and consequently leaving my portion of the work to everyone elses already replete to-do lists.

It took some humility to admit that I could not keep up with everything on my plate. Specifically, a new security camera installation project had just begun, and I was assigned to help coordinate installations in various entry spaces around campus. It required a lot of training to get me familiar and comfortable with the process, and as soon as I was, I had to leave. However, it was not as stressful as it could have been because I planned. I made sure my team was all on the same page regarding project expectations and talked with the full-time project managers to make sure my portion of the work would get done. If I had just left without saying anything, we would have fallen behind, failed to meet our goal of 120 installs before the start of the semester, and not received cinnamon rolls as a reward for meeting this goal.

Im grateful I had this experience before I left for most of the summer. Upon my return, I was able to settle back in smoothly. Projects had been completed, and I had peace of mind while I was away. I learned that trusting in my team is essential. Communication builds relationships, and not being afraid to delegate assignments helps others feel more comfortable asking you for your help in return.

As Agile Coaches, our main responsibility is to strengthen our team and simplify the work that needs to be accomplished. While these things are important, we should recognize the unique opportunity we have of working in a professional environment with skilled leaders and mentors. We are allotted one hour each week to utilize our circumstances by practicing and learning skills in our roles as Agile Coaches and to further our abilities in our future careers.

The main purpose of the Professional Development Hour is to enable each of us to expand on what we are currently able to do and be greater assets for our teams as well as improve ourselves for future opportunities. One of the best ways to make the most of this time is to create an overarching goal for the period of a few weeks or months, then direction your weekly hour toward helping you reach that goal.

For example, if your overarching goal was to be able to automate most, if not all, of your Excel spreadsheets, you might focus your weekly Professional Development Hours on step goals to reach the finish line. Here is how you might format such a plan:

Although a simple example, it demonstrates how you can turn your single hour each week into an opportunity to build upon yourself over a longer time period.

To help you get the most of your hour, the process outlined below can be a great tool to organize your thoughts and create a plan similar to the one above:

1. Set clear goals (SMART goals).

2. Prioritize and plan.

3. Explore diverse learning resources.

4. Network and collaborate.

5. Time management and consistency.

6. Measure progress.

7. Reflect and Apply

1.     Set Clear Goals (SMART Goals)

The best way to start is by envisioning what you want your outcome to be. Do you want to be more proficient at a certain skill? Maybe you simply wish to learn more about a specific topic, or even plan to overcome a trial your team is facing using new techniques or software. Whatever it is, make sure to outline it using SMART goal methodology (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely). SMART goals help keep the goal in scope and something we can actually achieve with a plan.

2.     Prioritize and Plan

Once youve outlined your finish line, decide on a few major points along your path that need the most attention. These will become the focus of each weeks hour so that you can dedicate enough time to the appropriate steps that will help you reach your goal.

3.     Explore Diverse Learning Resources

Either on the PMO website or through your own research, decide what tools will help you throughout each major step. Here are some examples of things you can do to utilize your hour each week:

- Update your resume.

- Apply for internships.

- Read a professional development book.

- Learn new skills on LinkedIn learning and other sites.

- Schedule a meeting with a professional in your field

- Take an aptitude test.

- Read some of the blog posts on the PMO website.

These are but a few of the endless options to help you make the most of your Professional Development Hour.

4.     Network and Collaborate

Who says you must work alone? Start a project with a coworker or another professional. Collaborate amongst other coaches to learn, support, and grow together. You could even collaborate on an article for the PMO website together. Take time to function better as a team and teach each other to reach a greater goal.

5.     Time Management and Consistency

Something that can help is to set aside the same hour each week to add it to your routine, so you dont miss it. For example, you may take your hour every Tuesday at 3:00 PM. Make sure that your Professional Development Hour is just that: one hour. Use your time wisely! It can be easy to get distracted, but with only 60 minutes each week to dedicate to something greater, you need to make sure to get everything you can out of it. Set distractions aside and work somewhere private if needed.

6.     Measure Progress

Make sure to keep track of what you are able to accomplish during each Professional Development hour to ensure that you are truly making the most of your time. This can also help you adjust your goals if things are going quicker or slower than expected, as well as help you set new goals in the future to make sure youre able to reach your overarching goals.

7.     Reflect and Apply

As you reach each finish line, reflect on what went well and how you could have done better. Adjust each week and cycle as needed so that you can make sure to make the most of your hour.

Hopefully this article has helped you understand the real impact that one hour of dedicated time each week can have. Again, this is a special opportunity for real growth that we are lucky enough to have included in our weekly schedule.

Happy growing!