Posted on 02/24/2009 12:30:25 PM PST by restornu
Sheri L. Dew, CEO of Deseret Book, conducted a gospel forum on Monday evening, February 16, for those interested in leadership. The Aloha Center was packed with students eager to hear advice and counsel from the well-known author and youth speaker. Sister Dew began the discussion with a humorous. "Why aren't you at the beach; it's President's day?" Joking aside, Sister Dew told her audience: "You are the most unique gathering of young adults on the planet"; this was in reference to the diversity found on our small campus. She spoke of the great opportunity found in attending BYUH with regards to culture and leadership; she stated, "You represent a potentially spectacular group of future leaders."
Then she opened the floor for discussion by asking students to define, in their own words, what makes a leader. Some responses included, “A servant, an example, motivator, one who manages and influences others, and one who stands firm for the truth regardless of the situation."
After considering and then responding to student ideas. Sister Dew summarized: "If you are in a position to influence someone, you are a leader." She spoke of the importance of leadership in the home and family, stating, "There is no greater name for a leader than mother or father. There is no leadership more important than parenthood."
She next outlined the five M's of an effective leader: 1) Mentors,
2) Models,
3) Makes decisions,
4) Motivates,
5) Mobilizes.
She reiterated that the objective in leadership is "To help the greatest number of people, help the greatest number of people." She compared her leadership objective to callings in the church such as Relief Society Presidents, home teachers, and Bishoprics. These leaders do their best to guide others to serve. She spoke of the strength found in the youth today, stating, "Your generation was born to lead."
When she opened the floor to questions from students, one student quipped, "What is the most important attribute a leader should possess?" She replied that first and foremost a leader must be trustworthy because without this trait, no one will follow. "You cannot have a relationship with someone you can't trust." Sister Dew shared three ways to know if a person is trustworthy:
“1) Good judgment. This person makes good decisions most of the time,
2) Pure motives. This person wants the best for everyone, not just himself,
3) Honesty. This person tells the truth.” Sister Dew summed that without trust, there can be no relationship, but "all you can have is a strategy." If you don't trust a person, you will never use open communication.
Next, Sister Dew introduced an idea she uses in business, leadership, or in personal communications—The Results Pyramid. She said an effective leader will be able to create good experiences for those who follow. After those positive experiences come a changed belief, leading to an action, and ending with better results. The first step of the Results Pyramid is Experience. When a positive experience is provided, people will be more willing to follow you. Sister Dew compared this to an experience in her home ward in Bountiful, Utah, where she is involved in the Young Women program. She touched on their challenge of getting the young women to come to the monthly temple visit to do baptisms for the dead. The temple was only five minutes away, yet many of the girls viewed the visits as a chore or routine, instead of as a spiritual blessing. Sister Dew said that the Young Women experience needed to change in order to change their belief about the temple. In a meeting, the Young Women leaders decided to give a lesson on Sunday about spiritual blessings and the importance found in temple work. They challenged the girls to come once and month, portraying the visits as more than just a five minute drive across town. Sister Dew said that the response was incredible. Almost every girl came. Thus, when you change the experience, you change the belief. Furthermore, when the belief is changed, people will take action, thereby changing the results.
*(This triangle, like the food groups pyramid, has four sections.)
Results
A c t i o n
B e l i e f
E x p e r i e n c e
In addition to her Young Women's story, Sister Dew shared a valuable piece of advice: "It is easier to motive people to do something difficult than something easy." When the Young Women viewed the trip as something more than easy and routine, they were more motivated to go each month. People will be more willing to follow a leader who has great aspirations for results.
Another student asked. "What is the right balance between micromanaging and giving complete freedom?" Sister Dew paused to think before answering with three basic principles: "The leader is ultimately responsible, but here are some things to think about:
1) A leader should clearly outline expectations.
2) A leader should ensure that the people assigned understand how to complete their tasks.
3) A leader should assess and mentor.”
"A true leader," Sister Dew said, "wants to work with people smarter than they are." She spoke of the importance of putting the right people in the correct positions and then stepping back to allow each person to work to their full potential. She counseled, "Step back and trust. Over the long haul, over time, your results will be improved." Also, she advised to never create teams of all men or all women: "Men and women complement each other." When creating teams, it is smart to mix race, culture, and gender.
In closing, Sister Dew stressed the importance of BYUH students and future leadership: "It's not an accident you're on Earth now." She spoke of the choice we all made in pre mortal life to be sent to Earth to fulfill the measure of our creation, stating, "You were born to have influence and to lead."
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Thanks for the ping!
Sister Dew is one of my favorites speakers and authors. She knows whereof she speaks. She is a great leader.
D’oh! (Subtract the spare ‘s’, please...)
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