Leadership
for Saints,
Part 14:
Great Leaders Develop Christ-like Character
by
Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar
Great leaders are examples
of goodness.
They walk their talk
and are consistent and reliable. They follow their own leaders,
because all leaders must first be good followers. Their strength
is in their humility and servant-oriented style rather than the
building up of their egos. They willingly sacrifice for the greater
good.
Enthusiasm for the work
is evident in their work ethic as well as in their discipline. They
seek to be worthy to receive the blessings of the Spirit. They teach
by precept and example. They are bold and courageous, but not overbearing.
They love those they work with and serve, and help instill lasting
values in others. They honor the principle of agency, and practice
persuasion with kindness and long-suffering. Their character, their
whole being, literally teaches the principles of the gospel. In
all their teaching, what they are speaks louder than what they say.
Great
leaders have vision. They know their purpose and their
cause. They share their vision and invite their people to invest
their hearts in the future. They identify what matters most. They
know that the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.
For leaders in the family and in Church, of course, “the main
thing” is always the same: inviting people to come unto Christ.
Great
leaders get results. The results we speak of are measured
by the lives that are blessed, not by the extolling of numbers or
percentages. Great leaders inspire allegiance and devotion to the
cause. They unify people. They work to build a sense of order. Leadership
can be lonely and it can be difficult. Great leaders are willing
to exert “tough love” for the sake of the individual
and for the sake of the cause. Popularity, though alluring, cannot
be the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal must be the blessing of
souls. Great leaders ask for and obtain commitment. They follow
up for an accounting of performance. Great leaders get results,
not excuses.
Great leaders plan and organize. They are committed to
excellence. They are careful not to waste time, energy or other
resources. They frequently ask questions like “What do we
want to make happen?” “Are the vision and priorities
understood?” “How will we measure success?” “What
is our plan to strengthen their faith?” “What will we
continually emphasize?” “What preparation is required?”
Great
leaders motivate others. They help others choose to do
and give their best. They teach correct doctrine. They remind people
that they are children of God and have infinite capacity to do good.
They affirm and encourage.
Great
leaders build great teams. Great leaders in the Church
understand and use the “council form” of leadership.
They build teams that build up the Kingdom of God. They know that
unity of effort is always more powerful than division of labor.
Great
leaders use discernment. Some people pray for guidance,
then they grab the steering wheel. Great leaders are different.
They qualify themselves for the promptings of the Spirit, then they
follow the promptings. Great leaders work as though everything depends
on them, and they pray—and listen—as though everything
depends on the Lord.
Great
leaders teach and nurture. They are inspirational teachers.
They teach true doctrine at every opportunity. They feed the lambs
and sheep because they love and are unconditionally devoted to Heavenly
Father and our Savior. Remember, the Spirit shows us all things
to do as well as giving us the words to say at the moment we need
them (2 Nephi 32:3, 5). As we teach and nurture those we serve,
we must always root them to our Savior Jesus Christ. This is true
teaching and ministering.
Great leaders communicate and coach. Communication—creating
a “common-ness” with others—is a critical part
of leadership. It is difficult to serve people unless and until
you understand their needs and concerns. Great leaders listen with
genuine empathy. They are open, patient, tender, understanding.
They seek to be a light rather than always a judge. They communicate
with kindness, with a soft voice, and with love unfeigned.
Great
leaders delegate. They understand the principles of stewardship—having
a responsibility with a trust. They know that holding people lovingly
accountable for effective performance is one of the best ways to
develop other leaders.
Great
leaders manage meetings. They know that every gathering
of their people should have a specific purpose that is closely linked
to mission and vision. Latter-day Saints gather often to be taught
the word of God, to be edified, to make commitments, to renew their
covenants, to organize and plan, to be trained. Meetings with a
purpose are meetings that are effective and successful.
Great
leaders maintain balance. They take time to smell the flowers.
They make time to recharge their batteries, to renew themselves
spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. Great leaders
do not operate at a pace that will end in “burn out.”
Great leaders orchestrate
the simple—and important—things into a magnificent concert.
You can be a great leader!
Quotes to Remember
And what is
the crowning glory of man in this earth so far as his individual
achievement is concerned? It is character… his aim, the highest
in life, should be the development of a Christlike character. –
David O. McKay
… a leader
with no vision will dramatically limit his effectiveness. –
Vaughn J. Featherstone
Remember that success
results when preparation meets opportunity in our lives
– Joseph B. Wirthlin
When you learn to plan
well, many other leadership skills will simply fall into place.
– Shane R. Barker
… the
genesis of self- or inner motivation is faith-faith in one's own
self, faith in one's God, faith in one's cause, and faith in one's
leaders. – Carlos E. Asay
Real teamwork
is created when leaders value the differences, encourage cooperation
and involvement, and recognize that, like them, the people they
lead are changing, growing individuals. – Lloyd D.
Newell
Prayerful leaders
have discernment; they will know… – Boyd K.
Packer
… the leader who
fails to teach and admonish must bear the burden of sins himself.
– Dallin H. Oaks
There is another reason
to delegate, and that is to empower and prepare leaders for future
service. – M. Russell Ballard
Keep balance in your
lives. Beware of obsession. Beware of narrowness.
– Gordon B. Hinckley
Every leader
must keep current. He must read. He must study. In the Church he
must know the scriptures and the handbook. He must read the bulletins.
He must keep his eye fixed on new developments. If he does not he
will soon find himself lagging behind and the work will suffer.
– Gordon B. Hinckley
Note:
The excerpts of Leadership for Saints posted on Meridian
are only a fraction of the contents of this 349-page book. To learn
more about this ground-breaking book and to order copies, click
here.
© 2002
by Rodger Dean Duncan & Ed J. Pinegar
Click
here to sign up for Meridian's FREE email updates.
© 2002 Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
|
