Meridian Magazine : : Print

There are a lot of people in the business and political world who seem to be good leaders. Is there any thing wrong with using them as models?

As a consultant to business and political people, I’ve come across all sorts of leadership styles. Some of them are effective, many of them are not.

In Great Britain I heard about a man who works for Scotland Yard, the British law enforcement agency. He’s recognized around the world for his expertise in counterfeit currency. Officials in many different countries call on him for help in maintaining the integrity of their economic systems. Someone once asked this man, “How did you become such an expert in counterfeit currency? Was it by studying the work of counterfeiters?” The expert’s answer was revealing: “No, I’ve spent many years carefully studying the real stuff. Then when I see a counterfeit I immediately recognize it for what it is.”

That is precisely what we should do as we work to improve our service to the Lord. Study and emulate “the real stuff.” The primary source of “the real stuff” is the scriptures. Consider the wonderful leadership examples of Moses, Saul, Solomon, King Hezekiah, Nephi, Jacob, Alma, King Benjamin and all the other great leaders. And of course, carefully study the example of the Savior himself. Consider not only what he did in serving and leading people, but consider how he did it.

It is of course true that some of the leadership examples we see in the business and political world can be of use in our own leadership service. But be cautious. Like the counterfeit expert in Britain, focus your attention on “the real stuff.”

– Rodger Dean Duncan

Challenge:

People need love and to feel appreciated. What can I do that can encourage and lift them to higher heights?

Opportunity:

Genuine, honest praise is needed by everyone. Everyone needs to know that they are important, that they matter and that the work they are doing is appreciated.

On home evening nights, our family would have a mini lesson and then the children would stand by Daddy as I would praise them in front of all the others and then we’d have family interviews. One night I had something for each person except Cory and then I turned to my wife Pat and I said, “Honey, what has Cory done that has really been good?” She said, “Sweetheart, he’s in charge of putting away the breakfast dishes and he does a wonderful job.”

And so that night Cory came up and I said, “Kids, you are looking at the greatest dish puter-awayer in the whole world. No one puts them away as nicely as Cory.” A big smile came on the little five-year-old face and he went back and sat down.

That following week my wife said, “Sweetheart, you can’t believe what’s happened to Cory. He is unrelenting. Those dishes . . . he brings them over so fast and then he says, ‘Is this perfect enough? You know, I’m the best in the world. I’ve got to be the best. I’ve got to do the best.’” Oh, the power of praise in the lives of everyone.

When I was a young teenager I played basketball in high school and I wasn’t doing too well. Then we got a new coach by the name of Don Snow. Don came in and said at the beginning of my senior year, “Ed, you’re going to be great this year. You’re going to be our center and you’re going to be the captain of the team.” I was so excited. I went from not even starting to being the captain of the team. Lo and behold, things were wonderful. Everything turned out. We went to the state tournament, all the way to the championship game. I got a scholarship to BYU and played ball for the great coach Stan Watts.

Could anything be better than this as far as basketball is concerned? And it all began because a coach took the time to say, “Ed, you’re going to be great. You will be my center. You’ll be the captain of our team.”

The power of praise is the power to cause change. – Ed J. Pinegar

Quotes Worth Remembering

Praise your children more than you correct them. Praise them for even their smallest achievement. Encourage your children… – Ezra Taft Benson

Genuine praise is a stimulant even for adults; with children, if wisely administered, it is decidedly beneficial. As a result of judicious comments on his desirable behavior and his successes, a child’s self-respect is built up. – Laura Gray

Being content with mediocrity is not good enough for a disciple of Christ. – Elaine Cannon

Trying to measure up to too many particular expectations without some sense of self-tolerance can cause spiritual and emotional “burn-out.” – Dean L. Larsen

… the painful changes and vicissitudes of life, instead of breaking down the orderliness and goodness of the universe and its Master-Creator, are actually stepping stones to glory, an assurance that our yearning to attain perfection may one day be satisfied. – David S. King

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.