TheDisicpleMD
I’m still serving and still learning. However, a few things I have learned to date about leadership is this:
1) Enjoy the calling- Smile when we serve. Our time in the trenches will be short-lived and when our time to serve comes to an end, we will probably find that we will miss it. While some callings can be challenging, there are blessings that accompany each calling that comes from the Lord. I have found that I miss all the challenges and blessings that come with each calling.
2) Understand the calling (Read and ask questions)- There is plenty of information available to read on our call. I once served as a ward young men’s president. I was then called as a stake young men’s president. In my new call, I read the manuals that were given to me. I learned that there were instructions given for ward young men’s presidents that I didn’t follow when in that calling. It wasn’t that I didn’t follow instructions, I just didn’t read them. It would have helped me if I had taken the time to read the manuals. By understanding our call we also learn the parameters of our authority. There is no easier way to offend than to step outside of authority lines when dealing with others. Also, we shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions of our leaders. They are called and set apart to help us in our calling. They are there as a resource. We need to use them.
3) Be quick to praise- People are human. It is nice to know you are fulfilling an assignment for the Lord. But it sure is motivating to hear genuine praise from your leader. I emphasize, “genuine.” People have a good ideal what they are doing well and in what they lack. Pointing out what an individual is doing well opens the door for reception of soft constructive directions. Often I have felt at my “end” with a calling, only to receive a compliment or thank you from another member or leader. Suddenly I felt stronger and able to continue onward.
4) Be slow to criticize- I have never found that criticism of another member motivates them to improve on a permanent basis. Improvement can be temporary, but I haven’t seen it have a long-term impact on making someone improve on his or her stewardship. Instead, strong criticism fosters feelings of bitterness and anger.
” No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.” (D&C: 121: 41-44).
When examining the reason for wanting to criticize another, we might want to ask ourself this questions, “Am I upset because this person is making me look bad, unorganized, or less than what I want to appear, or are we upset because we want the work of the Lord to go forward and bless the lives of the people. Often, if we are truthful, we find that our motive to criticize is based in selfishness.”
PART TWO TOMORROW (5-7)