Leadership for Saints: Part 45

The Power of Influence

by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar

Some of the best leaders we know are not formally trained teachers or business people, and are not necessarily skilled in the nuances of management. Their organizing and planning skills are only average. They don’t rely on their position or title. It would never occur to them to “pull rank” in any way. Yet they get exceptional results with the people they serve.   

How do they do it? They influence. They wisely understand that a leader’s key purpose is to influence others to have a desire to be better and to do better.

By “influence” we do not mean “manipulation” in any form. Manipulation consists of actions that are unrighteous. Influence, in this context, denotes unconditional love and an open, transparent desire to be helpful. It honors individual agency and it is based on trust and authenticity. In this context, the leader’s whole purpose is to help people be worthy of, receptive to and eager for the Holy Spirit.

Great leaders lift and inspire. They teach and nurture. And they influence. They are ministers. They feed their sheep. They are true shepherds, to the individual lamb as well as to the entire flock.

This teaching, nurturing and influencing are part of Heavenly Father’s plan. When people come into the Church, they are to be numbered, they are to be named, and they are to be nourished by the good word of God (see Moroni 6:4).

When the Savior asked Peter, “Lovest thou me?” Peter answered, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest I love thee.” Three times the Lord repeated the words, “Feed my lambs” or sheep (see John 21:15-17). When our love is Godlike and unconditional, we can feed (teach, nurture and influence) in a way that’s worthy of our people’s confidence.

Leaders spend much of their time trying to strengthen and increase the performance of those they lead and serve. Mission presidents exhort, plead, admonish and simply try almost anything to encourage young missionaries to be obedient, to work harder, to open their mouths . . . and on and on the list goes. Bishops plead with the priesthood brethren to do their home teaching.

Leaders often entreat people, but no one really “motivates” anyone. Real motivation comes from within. It’s a product of internal commitment and desire, not external poking or prodding. Great leaders build commitment and desire with praise, encouragement, and Spirit-directed instruction. They are sincere and genuine. They affirm and express appreciation at every opportunity.

They influence.

The Power of Doctrine

Great leaders never send people on guilt trips. Rather, they allow the Spirit to guide and they allow the doctrines to distill upon their souls. When people understand doctrine and when they embrace true principles for themselves, then they change. Then they increase in desire to be diligent in their duty.

Before you can influence them, the people you lead must know that you have a personal concern for their welfare. When they know you truly care they are more likely to listen to your message as well as follow your instructions. Your influence is enhanced when they know they are understood and appreciated.

Your responsibility is to provide a climate to help people choose to do well. Agency is always the test. As leaders, we of course want to help people make correct choices. External pressures may be effective for short-term or momentary change, but lasting performance comes only through a change of heart. That change of heart must be rooted in Jesus Christ and in his infinite atonement.

When people internalize doctrines and principles, their hearts are changed and they literally become new creatures. When their hearts are right (prepared to receive the will of God) they are easily entreated, they are righteously submissive and they have a desire to do good.

Sometimes, of course, people simply are not prepared to change. They may not yet be at a level of knowledge or understanding to bring about change. Or they may have inadequate faith or they may lack the vision necessary to receive inspiration at that particular time. We must always work at the level people are to raise them one step at a time . . . line upon line and precept upon precept.

Sometimes the situation is not conducive to inspiration. It simply is not the right time. When people have competing concerns or priorities, it’s difficult for them to receive instruction or even encouragement that can make a difference in their feelings or their behavior.

Change or improvement can occur only when the person you hope to influence is ready.

Great leaders use correct principles to inspire and encourage those they serve. They teach and inspire by example, precept, coaching and mentoring in groups or in one-on-one settings. The principles and doctrines they teach are like the roots of a magnificent tree—in a sense like the tree of life. Remember that the fruit of the tree of life is the Love of God. Love is the pure motive for every righteous attempt to influence.

Effective leaders use doctrine, principles, covenants and concepts to help people understand and appreciate to a point where they are filled with gratitude. This gratitude works within them and provides the impetus to move forward. They literally change. Their attitudes and behavior become more Christlike. They become instruments in the hands of God—willing, able and eager to do right things for the right reasons.

How conscientious should we be as we teach and influence? As a model, consider the report of Jacob, the younger brother of Nephi:

And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day (Jacob 1:19).

As parents, we must recognize our responsibilities as well (see D&C 68:25-28). We must be worthy of the trust of all those we teach (see Mosiah 23:14). If we are not humble, full of faith, love, hope and charity, we cannot assist in the Lord’s work of strengthening souls (D&C 12:8).

Quotes Worth Remembering

It is the duty of a Saint of God to gain all the influence he can on this earth, and to use every particle of that influence to do good. If this is not his duty, I do not understand what the duty of man is.  – Brigham Young

We cannot hope to influence others in the direction of virtue unless we live lives of virtue. The example of our living will carry a greater influence than will all the preaching in which we might indulge. We cannot expect to lift others unless we stand on higher ground ourselves. – Gordon B. Hinckley

A man's living determines his personality and his personality is the greatest power he possesses to influence others. – Stephen L. Richards

Do not underestimate the profound influence—politically and socially—of the principles of the restored gospel upon all of mankind. – David B. Haight

… when he feels that the teacher loves him, is trying to do him good and to teach him that which will be for his everlasting welfare, then the teacher has an influence over the child, that when he studies he will study with a purpose and with an earnest desire to be benefited and to please the teacher; because he knows and feels in his little heart that the teacher loves him and is seeking to do him good. – Joseph F. Smith

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.