W09 Reflection: Entrepreneurial Journal

 

W09 Reflection: Entrepreneurial Journal

This week’s study on Disciple Leadership deeply impacted how I view leadership and purpose. Elder David A. Bednar’s message, A Disciple Preparation Center, reminded me that leadership begins with discipleship—learning from and following the Savior. A disciple-leader does not seek power or recognition but strives to serve, lift, and bless others. I realized that true success in entrepreneurship should never be separated from faith and character.

President Kim B. Clark’s talk Leadership with a Small “L” taught me that leadership means to lead by example, vision, and love. These three principles resonated deeply with me. Leading by example means living with integrity and consistency, even when no one is watching. Leading with vision means connecting daily tasks to a higher purpose. Leading with love means putting people first and seeing their divine potential. I’ve learned that these principles apply equally in my family, my career, and the organizations I help build.

Jim Ritchie’s Good to Great also inspired me. The idea that “good is the enemy of great” challenges me to push beyond comfort and mediocrity. Great leaders are humble, disciplined, and driven by passion. As I reflected on my own journey, I realized that striving for greatness requires aligning goals with eternal values and never losing sight of the “why” behind the work.

I also learned from Guy Kawasaki’s insight on trust—trust begins when we choose to trust others first. That principle changed how I think about building relationships in business and in life.

Going forward, I want to become a more Christ-centered leader—someone who blends faith with execution, humility with confidence, and service with excellence. My goal is to lead in a way that inspires others to rise higher, not just in business success but in spiritual and personal growth as well.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

W05 Reflection - Here are my key takeaways from “A Hero’s Journey.”

Here are my key takeaways from “A Hero’s Journey.” The talk reframed success from trophies to transformation. The three end-of-life questions— Did I contribute something meaningful? Was I a good person? Who did I love, and who loved me? —cut through the noise of titles and net worth. If those are the real scoreboards, then my calendar and budget need to mirror them now, not “after I make it.” Second, a calling sits at the intersection of God-given gifts, deep joy, and a real need in the world . I loved the practical experiments: ask five people what you do better than anyone else; notice where you lose track of time; then aim those strengths at a concrete problem that bothers you enough to act. That is more actionable than waiting for a lightning bolt. Third, ethical guardrails matter more than raw ambition. Writing out “I will never…” lines and a “message in a bottle” for moments of temptation is a powerful way to prevent small compromises that become big failures. I also took to ...
Read more

W01 — The Startup of Me: Mighty Heart, Strong Mind

 This week I reframed the semester as the “startup of me.” Elder David A. Bednar ’s call to be both “faithful and competent” challenged my comfort zone[1]. He warns against the “academic path of least resistance,” ties scholarship to sacrifice and consecration , and interprets D&C 4:2 (“heart, might, mind, and strength”) as a mighty heart plus a strong mind for consecrated service[1]. Omni 1:26 — to “offer your whole souls” — set my bar for weekly effort[1]. From Jeff Sandefer , living as an entrepreneurial hero means dream big, start small , accept that life is hard, and engrave habits → character → destiny [2]. His counsel to fail early, cheaply, and often , and to choose fellow travelers well , fits my Angolan context where rapid prototypes and candid operator feedback drive impact. Guy Kawasaki reinforced purpose at the core of work: do what you love is not anti-profit; it is pro-meaning, so profit doesn’t feel empty[3]. President Gordon B. Hinckley added a mo...
Read more

W06 Reflection: So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?

 This week felt like a reset on what truly sustains an entrepreneurial career: self-mastery, method, and purpose. From So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur? I took the “three bags” of knowledge: (1) deep industry understanding plus a trusted network; (2) the skills to run day-to-day operations; and (3) the ability to raise capital. The most practical insight was the order of value : industry > operations > capital. Money is a commodity; real advantage comes from immersion and execution. Amar Bhidé strengthened my antidote to analysis paralysis: screen fast, analyze the essentials, and act in short cycles . Instead of waiting for a perfect plan, place small bets, meet real customers, and adapt. That “learn by doing” approach speaks directly to my perfectionism—it offers a disciplined way to move forward without being fooled by pretty spreadsheets. On character, President N. Eldon Tanner’s “Success Is Gauged by Self-Mastery” shifted my focus from “conquering things” to “conquer...
Read more