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Leadership
for Saints,
Part 28:
Six Steps That Help by
Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar
Do you remember the SMART
goals we discussed in an earlier part? Your leadership goals must
be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. And
to make the journey from good idea to great performance, your people
expect to have a reliable “travel guide.”
As you lead
your people down the road of Christian service, here are six things
you can do to help them march with confidence.
1—Validate the
Journey. Even though Latter-day Saints are very faithful in taking
instruction from their leaders, they always appreciate having information
and “context” on what they’re asked to do.
When President Gordon
B. Hinckley announced the establishment of the Perpetual Education
Fund, he didn’t just rely on his position and title to persuade
the people to participate.
To provide context, he
carefully related the marvelous ripple effect of the historic Perpetual
Emigration Fund. He gave an overview of the needs of Church members
in parts of the world today where education and training resources
are scarce. He shared a vision for helping members with limited
opportunity escape the cycle of poverty. He spoke of faith and devotion.
He taught pertinent doctrine. He explained that the new Perpetual
Education Fund required no new organization and would be administered
by volunteers.
In other words, President
Hinckley was careful to validate the journey.
We should do no less
in exercising our own leadership. When we ask people to make a change
or transition, when we ask them to do something different, when
we ask them to accept a new challenge, when we ask them to do better,
we should always build a solid case for action.
Make the journey meaningful
and relevant to them. Give them context. Give them encouragement.
Give them hope. Give them vision.
2—Scan for Speed
Bumps. What happens if you’re racing down the street and suddenly
hit a speed bump that you didn’t know existed? You’re
surprised, your teeth are rattled, and you might even lose control
of your car. At the very least, your ride is disrupted. The same
thing happens when you are unaware of speed bumps in the path of
your leadership journey.
Scan for speed bumps.
Carefully assess the climate. Analyze the history of implementation
in your organization.
Let’s say you’re
a new Relief Society president. You are eager to have successful
Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment meetings. In the past, these
meetings have been only sparsely attended, and many of the sisters
have never come at all.
Do you simply rush headlong
into the situation, hoping your own enthusiasm will save the day?
No. History does tend to repeat itself, and unless you adjust the
method of implementation you’re likely to get the same result
as in the past.
So you scan for speed
bumps. You gather information. You identify the points of resistance.
You listen. You assess the impact of competing events and circumstances.
You pray. You listen some more. Now you’re better able to
make the adjustments that will lead to success.
Incidentally, in one
ward with low attendance at enrichment meeting the solution was
relatively simple. The Relief Society president brought the situation
before the ward council. She learned that a key to the issue was
support by husbands and fathers. A special lesson on the Relief
Society enrichment program was prepared and presented to the brethren
during priesthood meeting. When the husbands and fathers caught
the vision, their level of cooperation (availability for babysitting,
etc.) increased dramatically. A “speed bump” was avoided
and implementation ran smoothly.
An early assessment of
the environment is a smart investment of your time. Your implementation
strategies will greatly benefit from your heightened awareness of
possible obstacles.
Quotes to Remember
The Elders everywhere
will instruct the brethren both in public and in private, in the
principles and doctrines … so that every individual in the
Church may have a perfect understanding of his duty and privileges.
– Joseph Smith Jr.
…the vision was
granted to him by the Lord for a wise and merciful purpose—that
he might, through a better understanding of his duty, be able to
remain steadfast thereto.
– George Q. Cannon
… may
I suggest that you evaluate carefully. Before you speak, consider
what you have heard. Consider the course you are going to recommend…
– Thomas S Monson
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.
Contents
Section 1: Understanding the Role of Leadership
Chapter 1
- What Great Leadership Is
Chapter 2 - What Great Leaders Are
Chapter 3 - What Great Leaders See
Chapter 4 - What Great Leaders Do
Section 2: Getting
the Results You and the Lord Want
Chapter 5
- Planning the Work, Working the Plan
Chapter 6 - Councils: Strength in Unity
Chapter 7 - Creating a Climate of Hope and Energy
Section 3: Skills
That Help You Sleep at Night
Chapter 8
- Communication: Building Bridges to Their Hearts
Chapter 9 - Stewardship Delegation: The Great Multiplier
Chapter 10 - The Power of Influence
Chapter 11 - Gatherings of Saints: Think Purpose, Not Meeting
Section 4: Special
Challenges and Opportunities
Chapter 12
- Discernment: The Gift of Great Price
Chapter 13 - Personal Balance: Your "Being" vs. Your
"Doing"
Chapter 14 - Common Questions, Humble Responses
About
the Authors:
Rodger Dean
Duncan, a descendant of 19th century Protestant evangelists, was
baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at
the age of 18. Early in his career he was an award-winning journalist,
editor and syndicated columnist. He has been a consultant to cabinet
officers under two U.S. presidents, members of the U.S. Senate,
and senior officers of major corporations. He earned a Ph.D. at
Purdue University, and is founder and president of The Duncan Company,
a consulting firm focused on leadership development and organizational
effectiveness.
Brother Duncan
has served on several stake high councils, twice as bishop, as stake
president, and as stake mission president. Under President Spencer
W. Kimball he served on the Advisory Council that first recommended
the subtitle to the Book of Mormon, "Another Testament of Jesus
Christ."
Brother Duncan
is married to Rean Robbins-Duncan, a fifth-generation Latter-day
Saint. They have four children and two grandchildren. The Duncans
live in Missouri, only a short walk from Historic Liberty Jail.
Ed
J. Pinegar, a dentist by training and vocation, graduated from Brigham
Young University and attended dental school at the University of
Southern California. While practicing dentistry, he taught seminary
for several years, then taught the Book of Mormon and Gospel Principles
and Practices courses at BYU for 18 years.
Brother
Pinegar's Church assignments include stake high councilor, bishop
(twice), stake president, member of the General Board for Young
Men, and member of the Missionary Programs Advisory Committee. He
also presided over the England London Mission and the Missionary
Training Center in Provo, Utah. He is author of several books for
the LDS market.
Brother
Pinegar is married to Patricia Peterson Pinegar, former General
President of the Primary for the Church. They are parents of eight
children and have 32 grandchildren. The Pinegars live in Orem, Utah.
