One of the big mistakes a leader makes is not meeting one-on-one consistently with those in their auxiliary or presidency. Instead they wait for the big issue to come up.
I was in the Fresno mission just over 48 hours but it was the most educational and influential 48 hours I have had in a while. To sum up the trip here are the 8 things I learned from President (Coach) Gelwix.
On my mission I received a letter from my mother soon after I was made a district leader. She told me to never ask those I lead to do something that I am not WILLING to do. That is much different from her telling me to never ask those I lead to do something that I am ABLE to do.
Yesterday I talked with a primary president that is experiencing the one thing that frustrates all leaders — human nature. You see, there is a teacher in her primary that gently mentioned to her the upcoming birth of her child might be a “good time” to be released from the primary.
The meeting has past the three hour mark and the bishop and two counselors flip through the ward list for the tenth time hoping a name will jump off the page for a new assistant to the assistant primary teacher. Hopefully they will find that name soon because they have a list of three other callings that need to be filled.
If the bishopric doesn’t decide on people for callings than who will?
MULTIPLIER: These leaders are genius makers and bring out the intelligence in others. They build collective, viral intelligence in organizations.
DIMINISHERS: These leaders are absorbed in their own intelligence, stifle others, and deplete the organization of crucial intelligence and capability
So which one are you?
Have you ever had a 6am meeting when you wanted to scream that words, “WHAT’S THE POINT OF THIS MEETING?!?!”
Yesterday I came across what I thought was a hilarious post on business organization charts. I thought there were some parallels that could translate to LDS ward organizational charts.
….so I created some.
Which type of ward do you attend?
Every time you stand in front of those you lead you have an opportunity to influence their life. You can harp on rules and commandments (less effective). You can read a quote that sounds amazing (not bad). Or….be a SUPER-LEADER! (best choice)
The tricky thing about changing home teaching results for the better is the fact that human beings are involved. This leads to tough conversations that most Elder’s Quorum Presidents would rather avoid. What if a large part of the problem resided not in the people but rather in the environment?