M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Leadership for Saints, Part 3: Catalysts for the Mighty Change
by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar

In our individual ministries we can choose to be either primarily transactional leaders or transformational leaders. 

A transactional leader focuses on routine and regimented activities.  He invests most of his energy in making sure meetings run on time, that administrative details are properly handled and that completed tasks are noted on check lists.

A transformational leader focuses primarily on initiating and “managing” change in those he serves.  He invests energy in efforts that influence people to improve, to stretch and to redefine what’s possible. 

While the Church needs both kinds of leaders, it is the transformational leader who is most influential in bringing about “the mighty change” in people. 

A good bishop, for example, will certainly ensure (mostly by delegating to other capable people) that appropriate information is gathered and accurate reports are generated, that music is prepared for sacrament meeting and that the ward social is planned and organized.  Those are transactional matters that must be done properly.

The bishop’s primary responsibility, however, is to be a transformational leader—to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord in bringing about positive change in the lives of his people.

He does this by doing what every good leader does—by loving unconditionally, by teaching correct principles and by giving encouragement.

He does it in confidential interviews where he listens with empathy and teaches with tenderness. He does it with a reassuring handshake or a pat on the shoulder. 

He does it with a kind smile. He does it when he addresses the entire ward and when he talks one-on-one with a child. He does it by boldly bearing witness to the saving principles of the restored gospel.  

The same applies to all of us wherever we serve. We must be sure that the appropriate transactional things are done properly. They are an important part of our ministry. But more importantly, we must tend to the transformational things, the things that change lives and save souls. 

Transactional things involve making sure the train runs on time.  Transformational things involve making sure the train is on the right track, that it is headed in the right direction, and that everyone who wants to make the trip has a ticket.

Leaders, Followers, and More Leaders
The Lord is most eager that we understand and labor together to accomplish the mission of the Restored Church: to invite all to come unto Christ and be perfected in him.

There are three important ways to accomplish this mission: (1) to proclaim the gospel; (2) to perfect the saints; and (3) to redeem the dead. Everything we do should be aimed at fulfilling one or more of those purposes.

It’s often said that a critical part of effective leadership is the development of effective followers.   That is no doubt true, especially when considering “Are the followers reaching their potential?  Are they learning?  Serving?  Do they achieve the required results? Do they change with grace?  [Do they] manage conflict?” [1]

Another characteristic of effective leaders is the development of other effective leaders. Especially in the Church, which as a fulfillment of prophecy is growing at unprecedented rates, the development of a wider and wider army of influential, spirit-driven leaders is critical to the vitality of the people and the success of the work.

Our challenge is focus. For a variety of reasons, many of us who hold leadership positions in the Church suffer occasional bouts of blurred vision.

On the surface, we are good “institutional” Latter-day Saints. We accept callings. We go through the requisite administrative motions. But do we have the genuine, Christlike caring for one another that is embodied in the covenants we have made? Sometimes, we simply need more focus.

There’s a marvelous little book, long out of print, called Markings. It’s essentially the personal journal of Dag Hammarskjöld, a wonderful Swede, a truly Christian gentleman, who served as Secretary-General of the United Nations. (He was killed in a tragic airplane crash in Africa in 1961.) 

In Hammarskjöld’s little book are many powerful statements that have profoundly affected millions of people. One of those universal truths is this: “It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses.” [2]

Think about that. Embodied in that statement is unfiltered truth, the pure love of Christ. As the Savior himself taught, the key to the ninety-nine is the one.

Understanding Linkages
Everything you do as a leader should have a purpose or it is extraneous. Great leaders know that time and influence are the primary currencies by which they bring about good. Great leaders also know the importance of focus. Can you imagine the spiritual leverage we could exert throughout the Church if every Latter-day Saint would genuinely focus on just one other person?

A young father tells of a conversation he overheard between his 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. The subject was colors. Sarah asked her big brother what you get when you mix blue with yellow.

Ten-year-old Matthew said: “With blue and yellow you get green.”

Then he decided to test his little sister by asking: “What do you get when you mix red with orange?” Without missing a beat, little Sarah replied: “You get a sunset!”

That little girl is one of those blessed souls who understands linkages.

Do you understand linkages?

Do you understand the linkage between a strong and effective and involved Sunday School presidency—and bringing people to Christ?

Do you understand the linkage between well-prepared Sunday School and priesthood and Primary and Relief Society lessons—and bringing people to Christ?

Do you understand the linkage between home teaching and visiting teaching done the right way for the right reasons—and bringing people to Christ?

Do you understand the linkage between carefully planned and executed social and cultural activities in our wards and branches—and bringing people to Christ?

Do you understand the linkage between attending the temple—and bringing people to Christ?

Do you understand the linkage between teaching simple gospel principles to Sunbeams and Valiants—and bringing people to Christ?

Do you understand the linkage between working with hard-to-handle teenagers—heirs to everything God has—and bringing people to Christ?

Do you understand the linkage between rendering compassionate service—and bringing people to Christ?

Do you understand the linkage between personal obedience—and bringing people to Christ?

Our labor as leaders in the Church is the Lord’s work. In every facet of our assignments we have the opportunity to help bring others—and ourselves—closer to him. As Elder Marvin J. Ashton said, “No one ever lifted someone else without stepping toward higher ground.” [3]