Brightideas_v134_march

A BIGGER prize page 2 CREATING SPACES: the total package page 3

S I M P L I F Y page 7

CHOOSINGdoing vs.to do page 5

March 2015 | Volume 13, Issue 04

Ibn Battuta once said, “Travel. It leaves you speechless and turns you into a storyteller.” My story begins 13,698 kilometers away from home in South Africa, which lit a humbling and inspiring fire in my heart for those who seemingly have nothing yet have it all. My state FFA officer peers and I consumed a plethora of knowledge about South African culture and agriculture, but what is it that I really reflect on when someone mentions Africa? It is not Walt Disney’s The Lion King, giraffes or Ebola. It is a smile.

In our travels, we were blessed to see various aspects of South African agriculture. We saw crocodiles at the Inyoni Estate, picked carrots alongside Zimbabwean women at the Langplaas Vegetable Farm, traveled back in time

In January, 75 state FFA officers traveled to South Africa for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure during the 2015 International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO). State officers spent 10 days experiencing local culture as they developed a better understanding of international agriculture and the global marketplace.

to Nelson Mandela’s confined jail cell on Robben Island, and ventured across Table Mountain, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. All of these adventures instilled a deeper understanding of agriculture and lifestyle in each of us. Everyone took home their own perspective; the thought that followed me home is one worth sharing.

Many South Africans have nothing, at least in our eyes. Some people had no homes. Some children had no parents. Some families did not know from where their next meal would come, if one would come at all. Despite all adversities, our hosts never seemed to be sad. They all worked together toward one goal. All of the aforementioned circumstances were the logs used to create the fire lit in my heart. It taught me to be thankful for everything in my life (not just the big things) and to smile.

The most impactful encounter I had fell in the hands of a young student from the Kliptown Youth Program in Soweto. As soon as I sat down, she walked directly to me and introduced herself with confidence. She took a seat in my lap and said, “I can sing. Do you want to hear?” I was a little shocked at first, but I agreed and the lyrics began to flow. I saw hope in her eyes as she sang “This Little Light of Mine” as preciously as I’d ever heard. As I listened to her sing, I thought back to the first day of ILSSO orientation when some of us were meeting each other for the first time. I never would have imagined the relationships that would form, much like I never would have imagined that a little girl from Soweto would impact my life.

A smile can be defined as a five-letter word that instantly changes someone’s day. It is a curvature of the mouth that shows contentment or happiness. A morning did not pass without us seeing faces with this iconic symbol. From the market at the Blyde River Canyon to the goat farms and Kruger National Park, beautiful smiles beamed from the faces of these equally beautiful people. It was a sight that I never expected to see in South Africa, but I am honored to say that I did. I know the smiles of South Africa will continue to transform our lives. I have learned to wear this curvature upon my face despite all odds and against all circumstances, just as the people of South Africa have taught me.

FROM FFA DRIVESmile for Africaby Shelbie Dalton

Shelbie Dalton is a freshman attending Mississippi State University. Her interests include watching Grey’s Anatomy and enjoying America’s pastime, baseball. Because of her open-minded personality, this Mississippi FFA state sentinel is liable to venture upon thoughts no one else would have dreamed of, even if they don’t make sense.

@stateofficerguy on.fb.me/stateofficers FFA.org/stateofficers

OFF THE SHELFA Bigger Prize, by Margaret HeffernanReview by Bethany (Bohnenblust) Parker

THE READ

If you hail from Small Town, America, then you know the thrill of a Saturday night demolition derby. I get almost embarrassingly excited for these events that bring people in from neighboring counties. I love cheering for the gutsy competitors and the daring driver who sacrifices his car to take out the next guy. But demos never end well. True, the winner gets his trophy but his car is so beat up and barely running, it likely never sees another competition.

Margaret Heffernan takes the stance that every competition damages our ability to work together, much like a demo derby. Ultimately competition can backfire and produce an environment of cheating, corruption and inequality. And still the best doesn’t always rise to the top.

As a sociologist, Heffernan is daring us to discover ways of working together that are better than winning. We may call it the easy way out, but likely working together with our opponents may be the hardest thing we’ve ever done. This book brings an even greater value to the concept of synergy, a need for any team.

THE REALITY

Okay, truth time: This book kind of made me cringe. I’m competitive by nature, and as much as I deny it, I like winning. But I’m willing to agree with the author—winning isn’t everything.

Think back with me to Greenhand Creed Speaking, when a boy named Kyle beat me. That day I decided, without even meeting him, that I didn’t like him (I was kind of a sore loser). A few years later, we were district and state officers together. If I had chosen to be bitter from a competition four years before, I would have missed learning from him and building our friendship.

Competition is good. Knowing there is a competition coming up may cause you to study harder in the classroom and maintain better records for your SAE. But if the contest becomes the driving factor, we may miss the great benefits we have from the process of preparation.

There is a reason for the three-part model in agricultural education. In the long run, career development events are meant to develop us for our careers, not just brief fame. My hope is this year has been marked with buy-in from all members of your state officer team. Set an example for your association as to the proper role competition plays; move forward as a team focused on the bigger prize of statewide collaboration.

THE RESPONSE

• Make a habit of shaking your opponent’s hand, no matter the outcome.

• Create a list of benefits you’ve gained from your entire agricultural education experience i.e.: specific skills, relationships, etc. Use this list for future resumes.

• Look back on past defeats. How was your sportsmanship?

Bethany (Bohnenblust) Parker lives in India working with college students in leadership and character development. She served as a state officer and national officer from Kansas and has facilitated and spoken in all 50 states. Bethany and husband Morgan enjoy traveling, eating spicy foods and checking off their bucket list.

“Collaboration > Competition.”

2Bright Ideas • Volume 13, Issue 4

You know those places you walk in and just feel good? The sights, sounds and smells of my

favorite local coffee shop, Inman Perk, make me feel motivated,

focused and energized. As soon as I step foot into my friend

Christy’s house, I feel peaceful, welcome and at rest. The

ambience of the market lights and fun seating on my porch put

me in a mood to celebrate and have fun every time I spend an

evening outside. The atmosphere of a space can influence how

people feel, think and act. It’s amazing that with some intentional

planning and execution, you can create an environment that

people respond to. How can you use this to your advantage

as a facilitator? The space you create can make the difference

between a workshop that works and a workshop that’s set apart.

There are two factors that make a difference in how a place feels.

First is the physical space—how it’s arranged, the colors, what

it looks like. Second are the people—they create the emotional

space. Inman Perk is a place that carries energy because the staff

is friendly and upbeat. Christy’s home is physically comfy, but she

also has a heart and personality of hospitality and comfort. And

my front porch is pretty “Pinteresty,” but it feels like a place to

celebrate because we’ve decided that it is. We make fun and

celebration a priority in our home, and it sets the tone.

by Renee Durham

Creating Spaces: The Total PackageTHIS

NOTTHIS

@stateofficerguy on.fb.me/stateofficers FFA.org/stateofficers3

ARRANGE WITH PURPOSE. If possible, rearrange the room

to create a set up that makes the most sense for what you’re

trying to achieve. Try no desks or tables if attendees won’t be

writing a lot. Arrange small circles or pods for group work or

a semi-circle for a large group discussion. If there will be a

lot of movement, stack chairs and desks out of the way for

activities. If you know exactly how many people are coming,

have only that number of chairs out, which communicates you

were expecting and ready for each of them.

LET MUSIC SET THE TONE. Music immediately and effectively

communicates the mood you are trying to create. As people

are walking in the door, jam out to something fun, upbeat

and popular. During activities that require students to move

around, choose a song that is high energy and easy to move

or dance to. If people are reflecting, writing or thinking deeply,

play something that’s soft, slower and maybe instrumental to

help them focus but not compete for their attention. Choose

from a variety of artists and genres and make sure you listen to

your selections first to make sure they are clean and positive.

Create interesting visuals. You’re probably an old pro at

whipping out the Mr. Sketch and making some great posters

by now. Here are some tips to maximize the use of your ink:

• Hang content posters near the front of the room, straight

and eye level. This communicates that they are important

and people should focus on them.

• Keep lettering bold, simple and use a maximum of three

colors on your content posters.

• Use peripheral posters in other parts of the room that

have positive messages, quotes or icons that help get

your message across without saying anything.

CHOOSE YOUR DEMEANOR. Students will know quickly how

you feel about being there, and they will match what you give

off. Be excited, friendly, kind, welcoming, relaxed, patient and

most of all, authentic. When people see that you’re being real,

they’re more likely to do the same.

HAVE FUN AND CELEBRATE. If you want them to have fun,

have fun yourself! Don’t take yourself or even your content

too seriously—if you’re uptight they’ll notice. Celebrate along

the way—when you accomplish objectives, when people give

great answers, when they are jumping in and participating.

Celebration sets the tone that you notice and appreciate

them, making them want to participate more.

SPEAK WITH PURPOSE. What you say and how you say it sends

a big message to your students. Check out these pointers:

• Say what you mean, not what you don’t. Instead of

telling people not to do something, ask them to do

what you’d like them to. For example… use, “please

listen in” instead of, “stop talking.”

• Speak less, listen more. This is facilitating, not a speech.

Be clear, concise and ask thoughtful questions so that

students have an opportunity to come to their own

conclusions.

• Be inclusive. Words like “me,” “I” and “you”

communicate separation and difference. “We,” “us”

and “let’s” say that you’re in this together and build

trust and rapport.

Creating a space that people want to be in makes learning

easier and more enjoyable. Take some time to brainstorm

fresh and creative ways you can make your workshop feel fun,

inviting and unique!

Instead of letting the room dictate your workshop…

make the room work for you.

Instead of expecting them to buy in…

be what you want to see.

Creating Spaces: The Total Package

Renee Durham is a world- traveling developer of leaders. Her experiences as a state FFA officer and national FFA staff member ignited passions for people, travel and serving others. She now works for the missions program The World Race as a trainer and mentor for young leaders overseas. When she’s not hanging out in developing countries, she enjoys life in a north Georgia lake town and consumes all the coffee and Mexican food she can get.


WENIGER, ABER BESSER

Recently we were introduced to Dieter Rams, the man who coined the German phrase “Weniger, aber besser” meaning “less, but better.” Looking at Rams’ principle of design for his company allows us to apply the same principle of simplification to make us more effective and successful. It also helps us become more of who we are meant to be.

Implementing Rams’ principle is as easy as asking ourselves three questions before doing anything, what we called the “Three Criteria:”

1. Is there a real need for it?

2. Am I the best one for it?

3. Do I absolutely love to do it?

In these three questions is hidden a foundation of “Who am I?” and “What do I need to be about?”

In the last issue of Bright Ideas, we examined the word, “No.” Unless we get used to the practice of saying “No,” we simply won’t live by the three criteria, we won’t follow the axiom Weniger, aber besser, and, frankly, we won’t be in charge of our lives.

SO…WHO’S IN CHARGE?

Every day we wake up and do something first. What do you do? Recently I found myself waking, making my bed and reaching for the phone. I checked email, text messages and Facebook. I realized that before I even considered what I wanted to do that day, I felt obliged to respond to someone else’s need or check apps on my phone. I was “doing” but I wasn’t “choosing to do.”

A Wrinkle in Time author Madeleine L’Engle said,

“It is the ability to choose which makes us human.”

She’s right. Plants don’t choose to sprout or bend to the light or even to resist wind. They do so naturally, without agency.

But not us. Part of what makes us “human” is that we can choose. We can pick between things. However, we can only choose if we think.

LESS. BUT BETTER. Doing Vs. Choosing To Do: The Difference Between Compulsive Acts and Chosen Ones by Tyler Tenbarge


When we robotically reach for our phone every time it vibrates or rings—or reach for it in desperation every time we feel uncomfortable in a room—we become like the plant bending to the light. We don’t take a moment to think. We don’t consider our options. We don’t freely choose.

THE FLIP SIDE

There is a bright side to our ability to develop automatic responses. For one, our natural retraction of our hand when we touch a hot stovetop helps us to avoid getting burnt. What is more significant, though, is that our choices over time become habits. These habits are what allow a fireman to barrel into a burning home to save a child. He doesn’t even hesitate. Maybe you have developed habits of reacting to students in workshops with joy and affirmation or avoiding filler words when facilitating. These are good habits that you have developed.

Both our facilitation habits and our phone decorum are built upon choice. At one point, we reasoned that celebrating student insights would be beneficial to that young man or woman. Likewise, at one point, we reasoned that seeing a “Like” or “Favorite” on our social media minutes after waking would make us feel loved or at the very least, seen.

The difference, however, is what we knew when we chose each of these actions the first time. We didn’t know that checking our phone every time it vibrates might make us a bit robotic.

Granted, we are not omnipotent. We can’t know every consequence of each choice. So, what can we do?

SET A REMINDER

As a meeting at seminary ended one morning, a reminder popped up on my smartphone calendar. It read, “REMOVE—Less, but better,” and the criteria were in the “Notes” under this appointment.

For months, this reminder has appeared, reminding me to take a look at the coming weeks and ask each of the Three Criteria for what I 1) plan to do or 2) am doing. That morning, I realized that a half-marathon I was training for didn’t meet the criteria. So, I decided to cut it and instead play sports with the guys at seminary.

Each time this monthly reminder pops up, I am given the chance—if even for a moment—to stop and look at what I have begun doing either out of chosen habit or robotic compulsion, and then I get to make a choice. I stop merely “doing” and begin to be human again: I choose. And the beauty of this choice is that it is ultimately rooted in what makes me truly me: What I love. It’s also rooted in what makes a true difference for others.

CAN YOU IMAGINE?

Can you imagine what would happen if we became incredibly selective, choosing only the things that acknowledge our passion and gifts? Can you imagine the difference we could make if we chose to do things—not unimportant things or just anything people ask us to do—but things that would make a tremendous difference?

It has been said,

“If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”

In a year of service where you are constantly pulled in every direction at once, if you do not know what you are about, you will end up concerned about the unimportant.

Before putting down this article, take two minutes to set a repeating reminder in your calendar. If you do nothing else today, give yourself this much: a set reminder to take a moment to pause and ask, “How could Weniger, aber besser help me be more me right now?”

photo credit Sigrid Estrada / FSG / AP

Tyler Tenbarge is a former state and national FFA officer from Indiana and is currently studying for priesthood for the Diocese of Evansville at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. After serving as a facilitator for the Washington Leadership Conference, he has remained involved in FFA by developing and facilitating various pieces of curriculum and content for state FFA officers. He also blogs at tylertenbarge.blogspot.com.

by Tyler Tenbarge


Kyle Shobe announces rodeos, such as Cheyenne Frontier Days,

and has a band that just cut their first album. Not a bad resume

before the age of 30. How is it that this Montana cowboy is able to

do so much? For starters, Kyle knows just who he is and doesn’t try

to be something different. He recognized early on that he had a gift

with crowds and set about honing his craft. His path now crosses

people from all walks of life, many of whom are quite different from

Kyle. However, no matter who he is with, he’s always just himself and

can move with the confidence that brings.

Outstanding leaders focus narrowly, experience deeply and reflect

regularly so they can simplify their understanding. This starts the

whole process over again. Leaders simplify their understanding of

themselves as leaders. In the classic business book Good to Great,

author Jim Collins describes how successful businesses continually

redefine a simple understanding of what success looks like for them.

While there may be many factors that lead to the bottom line, it is

this simple, clear understanding of how to measure success that

helped set these businesses apart. Put another way, they simplified.

A simple, clear understanding of who you are as a leader is based in

experience. It may work like this: Experience with reflection leads to competence. Competence leads to confidence. Confidence leads to acceptance of who we are. A leader who accepts who

they are can be powerful. Let’s explore how we can simplify our

understanding of ourselves as leaders by refining, accepting,

recognizing and depending.

Refine. As silver is refined in fire, so must your understanding of

yourself as a leader be refined. Constantly refine your understanding

of who you are as a leader. Your personal mission statement is a

great tool to do that. If you have a personal mission statement,

review it frequently and refine it as necessary. If you haven’t written

a personal mission statement, take the time to write one. Knowing

who you are comes with time, experience, temperament and a lot

more. You can start today to consider how life’s experiences help to

shape and refine your understanding of yourself as a leader. Pause

every now and again, consider your understanding of yourself as a

leader, and write down how that understanding will help you be a

more effective leader.

Accept. As a lion knows his role in the animal kingdom, so must

you accept who you are. The lion doesn’t try to graze on the

savannah grass, nor does the zebra try to hunt with a pride. Know

who you are and accept who you are not. Too often leaders try

to complicate their views of leadership by leading in ways they

were never meant to lead. If you are great at leading through your

organizational skills, use them. If you can get the crowd energized

and this is the way you lead, use it. Use the strengths you have and

run with them as often and as deeply as you can.

Recognize. As the seasons of the calendar change, so must you

recognize natural seasons in your life. Be aware of the seasons of

your life. Know that it is okay to move from one season to another

without guilt. As you mature as a person and as a leader, you may

find yourself drawn to new groups, new experiences, new areas of

study and so on. Natural seasons may occur as a person transitions

from high school to college. Again, seasons change as a person

transitions from college to work. Often state officers experience

a season of change as they transition from their year of service to

the past state officer crowd. Seasons are long-term changes, not

Have you ever heard a live auctioneer? A really good one? Well, if your answer is no, then you’ve never heard Kyle Shobe auction. Whether it’s cattle, art or an entire estate, Kyle’s rhythmic voice lights up the air. He’s the youngest winner of the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship. But that’s not all.

by Seth Heinert

photo credit Kevin Tobosa

LEARNING [TO LEAD] BY DOING


simply the fad of the week. A wise leader recognizes in them the

need to redefine, in small and big ways, who they are as a leader.

Depend. As migrating geese depend on each other, so must

you depend on your relationships. Remember the value of

relationships. When we reflect and refine our understanding of

who we are as a leader, we often recognize our own limitations.

If you have been trying to do it all on your own until now, stop.

A wise person once said that a man wrapped in himself makes

a pretty small package. A leader is constantly refining and

simplifying his understanding of the relationships in his life. If

he’s honest with himself, he sees how desperately he needs

those relationships and then works to invest in them.

What will simplification look like for you? Perhaps it will mean

regularly revisiting your personal mission statement. Or, maybe

you will learn the value of annually planning some time to reflect

and simplify your understanding of yourself in all of the roles you

play, including the role of leader. As jazz composer Charles Mingus

puts it, “Making the simple complicated is commonplace. Making

the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”

Author Tom Suddes helps us understand simplification through this

story. A lion can capture, kill and eat a field mouse. However, the

energy to do that is greater than the caloric content of the mouse.

So, if a lion spent his entire day hunting and eating field mice, it

would slowly starve itself to death. A lion cannot live on mice. Lions

need antelope. Antelope are BIG. While they take more speed and

strength to capture and kill, once killed, they provide a huge feast

for a lion and its pride. A lion can live a long and happy life on a diet

of antelope. It will die chasing mice. If you’re spending all of your

time and energy going after field mice, your short-term reward is

a feeling of activity and maybe even accomplishment. However, in

the long run, you’re going to die. Moral of the story: Stop chasing

mice. Focus on antelope.

Focus. Experience. Reflect. Simplify. What will you accomplish, who will you influence, and what will you change if you will choose to learn to lead by doing?

Seth Heinert is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Florida studying agricultural education. He served as a state FFA officer in Wyoming and national FFA secretary. He taught agricultural education in Nebraska and Tanzania, Africa. Seth is married with a son and resides in Gainesville, Fla.

R E F L E C T

F O C U S

S I M P L I F Y

E X P E R I E N C E

R E F L E C T


CHALLENGES PROMOTEGROWTH



In the last issue of Bright Ideas we continued to discuss personal growth and the value of stretching. Stretching allows officers to break through the status quo and be more influential as leaders. Another way that officers can be more influential during their year of service and beyond is to focus on challenges and trade-offs. John Maxwell, in his book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, talks about how the management of bad experiences leads to great growth. Maxwell purports that there are some critical things to know about bad experiences: Everyone has them, no one likes them, and few people make bad experiences positive experiences.

Let’s think of bad experiences as challenges in our lives. We all have them but they might have different names such as: conflict, disappointment, change, bad health, hard decisions, relationship loss, not being number one, responsibility, inexperience, incompetence, etc. Whatever name they carry, they are all challenging in their own right. Remember that you are not the only one with challenges. Members, advisors, alumni, and business and industry partners all face challenges too. It is what becomes of these challenges that will tell the end of each of our stories.

Maxwell’s second claim is that no one likes bad experiences or challenges in their lives. Think of a time when you have been faced with a challenge that you did not necessarily like. Now ask yourself what you learned from that challenge. Being able to face a challenge head-on while keeping your focus on the lesson to be learned is crucial in your quest for personal growth as a leader.

Finally, the test is to turn these challenges into opportunities for growth. State officers can do that by choosing to be positive. Being positive leads to success in overcoming challenges but may take a bit more work. Maxwell shares some simple steps to turn challenges into growth opportunities by doing the following:

• Define the problem.

• Understand your emotion.

• Articulate the lesson.

• Identify a desired change.

• Brainstorm numerous pathways.

• Receive others’ input.

• Implement a course of action.

Having a plan to follow streamlines the process of turning challenges into growth opportunities and allows officers to be more influential as leaders.

Personal growth is a process and one that does not end with your year of service as an officer. You will continue to grow and develop your entire life as long as you: Remain intentional and remember that growth begins with you; nurture the proper environment for growth; focus through the growing pains; and turn the challenges into growth opportunities. No one claims that the growth process will be easy, but the rewards and outcomes are priceless so keep growing, keep growing, keep growing!



Amy Nicol has been a career and technical educator for the past 18 years. She served as a state FFA officer and has worked with state officer programs through the National FFA Organization. Amy lives in Marysville, Ohio, and enjoys being active in her church and community through various service activities.

A YEAR OF GROWTHChallenges Promote Growthby Amy Nicol

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Bright IdeasNational FFA Organization

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The State FFA Officer Programs are made possible through sponsorship from the following organizations as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Bright Ideas Magazine is sponsored by CSX as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

©NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION 2015 The letters “FFA,” the FFA emblem, Future Farmers of America and Forever Blue are registered trademarks of the National FFA Organization and cannot be used without permission.

FFA MISSIONFFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION MISSIONAgricultural education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resource systems.

The National FFA Organization is a resource and support organization that does not select, control, or supervise state association, local chapter or individual member activities. Educational materials are developed by FFA in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education as a service to state and local agricultural education agencies. The National FFA Organization affirms its belief in the value of all human beings and seeks diversity in its membership, leadership and staff as an equal opportunity employer.

At FFA, we’re proud to say that when you talk, we listen. So thanks to you, we’ve been able to make some exciting new changes to FFA.org that will help improve your experience, all based on your feedback.

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