Alex's Leading Elevation Blog: October 2010

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Living our Mission

Pi Kappa Alpha will set the standard of integrity, intellect, and achievement for our members, host institutions, and the communities in which we live.

The question is how are we living congruent with our values, or how aren't we?

As far as not living congruent with them, I would argue it's not that we're not following our mission, just that we're not living up to standards we have set for ourselves. Mainly because we have brothers who are not holding themselves accountable academically, or for things they do socially. Not only does this make us look bad to our nationals, but it is detrimental to my brothers' futures in general. I can even say that I am one of those people who don't always live congruently but most times I do. Also as far as achievement goes I feel like we could be doing a lot more. We seem to become unorganized on a few things regarding philanthropy events or events we do for our community. its kind of upsetting sometimes when things fall through due to people dropping the ball, but sometimes stuff happens.

Now on the other side, I'm actually extremely satisfied with how congruent our chapter lives our mission statement. Yes we may have individuals who might not live up to every notion of it, but our chapter as a whole is a good representation of this statement. We have one of the highest hours of comm service given our size, we raise a lot of money for ACS, we are respected in the community for what we do, most our guys keep good grades and get good internships, we treat ladies with respect while stilling having a good time. In my eyes we're doing just fine.

It's kind of tough for me make a fair assessment however because the main thing we like to live by is our preamble of our constitution. It establishes into our mind not only how to live as men, but how to live as brothers and act with one another. I actually try to live my life more according to our preamble more so than our mission statement mainly because of my personal beliefs about fraternities.
I dont care what anyone says, you don't join a social fraternity because you want to just serve the community, or do philanthropy, you join because you enjoy the people within the organization and it's something you want to be apart of. While doing community service and philanthropy definitely should be emphasized within everyones life, especially greeks, we need to remember greek life is here to enhance our college experience in every way. When it comes down to it your experience is enhanced by still taking part in these events that people might not care so much about with the brothers and sisters you care about while still making a difference in the world. The short of it is when you come back as alumni in however many years, you dont come back and say "oh hey remember that one time we volunteered at that soup kitchen?!" No...you say, remember that one road trip, or that one party, or that one etc.... To me it all comes down to brotherhood leading to helping others.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Organization Values

When I think of an organization that I know portrays their values very well it's hard for me to narrow it down to just one because I feel so many organizations make their values known. As part of most of their business structures, it's important for companies to have their consumers or people within that organization to have their values known so that people will naturally gravitate towards a company they feel aligns with their values. When we think of a company that displays their values you think of churches, fraternities, many businesses, forms of media, etc...It's hard for me to pick just one. One I feel does an extremely good job is Wal Mart.

Now I know what you're thinking. WALMART?! WHAT?! THEY'RE A TERRIBLY EVIL CORPORATION. But let's think about this. How often do we hear in the media about people complaining about working for walmart, and their lack of overtime pay, bad wages, killing small business, the works. Now it may seem bad, but for better or for worse its an explanation of their values as a company whether you agree with it or not. On the flip side, they also display how they work for the middle-class by having such low prices on everything, and providing jobs to thousands of Americans. These, most would agree, are considered "good" values. Like I said earlier, Walmart displays their values good or bad in almost every public fashion.

If you'll notice, walmart hasn't changed very much when it comes to their values and it's simply because it's a great business model. You can complain about the wages, killing small business and everything like that but whatever their doing it's working for them extremely well. People still go to their stores in droves to get the lowest prices on everything, and help save them some money.

I chose this company because of their "flip-flop" of values and ideals. Many would argue that a company is not moral or does not possess values because of the negativity associated with this company but who could argue that a company who is extremely successful providing a need to millions of Americans has low values. Brass tacks, this company may be an "evil" corporation or however you look at it, but there is still something redeeming about them that Americans and people all over the globe appreciate because there business is thriving. Yes, small business is struggling, and people may not have the most ideal jobs, but for some reason this does not seem to phase most people who shop there. It seems to me that Walmart is somehow portraying their positive values a lot more than their negative ones because while many Americans are upset with them, people still shop there. essentially it all comes down to good marketing in order to persuade people to continue to shop there.

Truthfully, I am having trouble writing this post because it's hard for me to judge the values of a company such as walmart because in theory, their business model is perfectly fine and they shouldn't be criticized for succeeding in an open market. Not to say I don't care about people or their means of living on all aspects whether they're the farmers, workers, shoppers, etc.. This company just doesn't seem to bother me all that much because in the end...they're a business. There's a reason Walmart succeeded and it's because they were able to offer products at much lower prices than their competitors which is the formula for any good business. In my mind people cannot expect for them to offer lavish wages or things like that simply because people want more money or benefits. In the end, although it may seem that Walmart is a company working for the common man and saving them money, it's still a business and the only reason people get into business is a make a profit. Often times emotions do not play a part in the dealings and we hear the phrase all the time, "it's nothing personal, it's just business."

This is an example of the negative media Walmart receives, and without knowing the backstory seems rightfully so. But notice the eerie background music and the rhetoric used by the host. (also keep in mind this mans first job was broadcasting on ESPN. Why his political opinions matter to anyone is beyond me)

A positive commercial put out by Walmart showing what good their doing for the environment, and the people. Positive values?

This video, obviously made by a third party explaining all the evil aspects of Walmart and how people can avoid them. But the reason this video doesn't matter is because people go to Walmart for the convenience of their shopping experience. Again, as part of their business model, with everyone being so busy who has time to go to all these different stores to purchase everything they need. Not that people buying locally, used clothes, and and swapping is bad, it's just not something most Americans value. Sadly, people value their time and personal well-being over the well-being of everyone else. So whether or not you agree, I dont think it's something you can deny for the population as a whole.

So for me with Walmart this company works great of showing they value the American worker, family man, and middle class through their ADs, product prices and numerous locations. They still demonstrate their "lesser" values by publicly stating their lack of wanting workers' unions, low wages without benefits, and everything else people find wrong with them. It's not a secret, but yet their extremely successful and are not going anywhere anytime soon.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

My Values and What's Important to me

My values? I feel like I dont know how exactly to characterize my values exactly but if I had to I would say:

1) Family- This is hands down the most important I'm sure for most people, but for me I put it number one for a multitude of reasons. In my family, on both sides I don't really have many people I'd say I'm overly close with, due to living far away, or just huge age differences. But with family, that stuff doesn't matter. They're there for you anytime you need them. I'll never forget my aunt saying to me before I left for college, "if you ever need anything don't be afraid to call! I'll drive the two hours up there and get you whatever you need. Dont be afraid to ask for money, need taken home, need bailed out of jail, anything." Now she doesn't actually think I'll end up in jail, but hey anything's possible. Then just recently I was at my cousins wedding at the bar ordering a beer. And my cousin danielle came up to me saying how it's so weird to see me drinking and how she remembers playing hide&seek together when I was like 7 and her 10 back at grandma's house. And this is a cousin I see twice a year...tops. It just goes to show how family never lets you down.

and..

2) Friends- This is right up there with family for me because a lot of my friends I consider family. Growing up, I was the only child and for those of you who have brothers/sisters probably don't understand how freaking boring that can be. So I would constantly relying on having friends to occupy my time. Since about 8th grade, I have had a core group of friends that I would do anything for, and the same for me with them. I love that we have all continued to be as close as we've been, even with a lot of us going to different colleges. I think that's rare for a lot of people, so with them it's almost like having a second family. Like, it's at the point where I already know who's best man I'll be, and who will be mine (given the fact that I'll get married? Hopefully in ten years or so college is too much fun!) it's just awesome. Then I have my fraternity brothers. As you all know, it's a bond unlike any other, there's no need for explanation. The greek life experience has been treating me well so far. I feel like as most of you have witnessed in class, I'm a pretty social guy and don't have trouble making new friends and have made many new friends since joining Pike.

I know what you're thinking. "Man he must be a computer wiz to put up all those cool quotes in that crazy font!" But no I did not put that crap on there, but I can't find the original pic I was tagged in so this will do.

As far as the rest of my values go I would definitely say, honest, integrity, beliefs, goals, being a gentleman, the usual.

Though another important one for me is a sense of humor. For those of you who know me know I love to joke....a lot.

Owell...this will suffice.

Love,

Huegle