". . .because I said so!" Who hasn't heard that phrase?
As parents, we may have very good reasons for expecting children to follow our lead, yet rarely do we succeed in getting them to do just what we want. Have we failed as parents when our children question our authority? No! Agency is just as precious to them, as it is to us. Where we may have fallen short of the mark isn't in wanting our children to do what was right or expedient, it was in trying to use force to get what we want done, in the way we want it done or in the time we want it done. Conflict arises when we expect our children to be blind followers.
"Free agency, given us through the plan of our Father, is the alternative to Satan's plan of force. With this sublime gift, we can grow, improve, progress, and seek perfection. Without agency, none of us could grow and develop by leaning from our mistakes and errors and the mistakes and errors of others.
"Because of his rebellion, Lucifer was cast out and became Satan, the devil, "the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto [his] voice.' (Moses 4:4). . . .
"Let us not become so intense in our zeal to do good by winning arguments or by our pure intention in disputing doctrine that we go beyond good sense and manners, thereby promoting contention, or say or do imprudent things, invoke cynicism, or ridicule with flippancy. In this manner, our good motives become so misdirected that we lose friends and, even more serious, we come under the influence of the devil. I recently heard this truth: 'Your criticism may be worse than the conduct you are trying to correct.' " James E. Faust, Reaching Up for the Light ( Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1990), 105-6.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
No blind followers Part I
There is much interest, of late, on the workings of the Latter-day Saint mind. Whether those inquiring are sincere or sensation seekers, we are often asked similar questions. One that comes up frequently is whether or not we are blind in our obedience to our leadership. Did you know that President Brigham Young wondered the same thing?
Creating "searching questions" is one of the reasons for the vibrancy of LDS life, but have we ever been less thrilled when the questions come from our 15 year old? In his book Reaching Up for the Light, (Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 1990. pg. 115) Elder James E. Faust gives us a quote from President Brigham Young:
" 'I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him, I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way? Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.'(Journal of Discourses 9:150.)"
Creating "searching questions" is one of the reasons for the vibrancy of LDS life, but have we ever been less thrilled when the questions come from our 15 year old? In his book Reaching Up for the Light, (Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 1990. pg. 115) Elder James E. Faust gives us a quote from President Brigham Young:
" 'I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him, I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way? Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.'(Journal of Discourses 9:150.)"
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Two Americas; Two Democracies
The following quote speaks of the American system of government, but it applies to many other circumstances. As leaders, many of us take an active interest in the affairs of our national governments. One of the challenges of the American system (and for that matter, the Heavenly system of government) is to adhere to the belief that everyone has freedom to choose.
"We come to the conclusion that there are two Americas. And it is Jefferson who leads us to that conclusion. There are two Americas and two democracies.
"There is the democracy of external order and action: the government of men and women living in the material world, the political world, the world of physical force. American democracy, under the light of Hamilton as well as Jefferson--under the light of nearly all the framers of the Constitution--broke free of political tyranny in order to establish a form of government that maximized individual liberty for every individual. . . . This process is jagged. . .it is confused and sometimes so imperfect. . . .But this movement still exists and still can exist--the movement towards a greatly beneficent quality of individual liberty. It is a rare quality in any nation or people of historic record.
"But even this degree of external democracy could not exist and will not exist without the process of self-development in individual men and women. . . .Jefferson and many others identified this process of self-development with the education of the mind. But for Jefferson the education of the mind was only part of the necessary process of individual self-development . . .
"There exists another democracy that initiates and guides this movement of self-development. . . .it is not the democracy of personal preference; not the democracy of desire, but the democracy of conscience. . . . Jeffersonian democracy's ultimate aim is to protect the interior democracy. External democracy without spiritual democracy will otherwise inevitably destroy itself and the people within it. . . .
"This is the great question of our culture, and our era: how to preserve and support external liberty in order to work together toward interior liberty?" (Needleman, Jacob. The American Soul. New York, Putnam. pgs. 170-172).
"We come to the conclusion that there are two Americas. And it is Jefferson who leads us to that conclusion. There are two Americas and two democracies.
"There is the democracy of external order and action: the government of men and women living in the material world, the political world, the world of physical force. American democracy, under the light of Hamilton as well as Jefferson--under the light of nearly all the framers of the Constitution--broke free of political tyranny in order to establish a form of government that maximized individual liberty for every individual. . . . This process is jagged. . .it is confused and sometimes so imperfect. . . .But this movement still exists and still can exist--the movement towards a greatly beneficent quality of individual liberty. It is a rare quality in any nation or people of historic record.
"But even this degree of external democracy could not exist and will not exist without the process of self-development in individual men and women. . . .Jefferson and many others identified this process of self-development with the education of the mind. But for Jefferson the education of the mind was only part of the necessary process of individual self-development . . .
"There exists another democracy that initiates and guides this movement of self-development. . . .it is not the democracy of personal preference; not the democracy of desire, but the democracy of conscience. . . . Jeffersonian democracy's ultimate aim is to protect the interior democracy. External democracy without spiritual democracy will otherwise inevitably destroy itself and the people within it. . . .
"This is the great question of our culture, and our era: how to preserve and support external liberty in order to work together toward interior liberty?" (Needleman, Jacob. The American Soul. New York, Putnam. pgs. 170-172).
Monday, June 27, 2011
Joseph Smith the Communicator
Joseph Smith was a fabulous communicator! Good leadership depends on the ability to get your ideas out to those who will help make them a reality. Truman Madsen, an expert on the life of Joseph Smith shares the following:
"[Joseph had] the ability to be simplicity-minded, and that's a gift. Not 'simpleminded,' but 'simplicity-minded,' having the ability to reduce elaborate ideas to a core center or essence. At the same time it is a gift to be able to see what other minds do not; to recognize implications, nuances, extensions of ideas that go beyond ordinary perception. Here again Joseph Smith was an original, for on the one hand in administrative and decision-making enterprises he went quickly to the heart of the matter with ingenuity and skill. But on the other hand, if required and asked to elaborate on a given doctrine or teaching he could do so and then would stretch the minds of all present. " (Madsen, Truman G. Joseph Smith the Prophet. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft 1989. pg 23)
It is very easy to develop the skill to communicate with people like ourselves, but a truly effective leader will not be satisfied with such a limited audience, no matter how well educated that audience may be! In his book, Madsen goes on to quote Brigham Young who acknowledged the broad range of Joseph's skill as a communicator of ideas:
" 'The excellency of the glory of the character of brother Joseph Smith was that he could reduce heavenly things to the understanding of the finite. When he preached to the people. . .he reduced his teachings to the capacity of every man, woman, and child, making them as plain as a well-defined pathway,' In that connection, speaking of Christ the Prophet said, ' If He comes to a little child, he will adapt himself to the language and capacity of a little child.' " ( Madsen, pg 89)
"[Joseph had] the ability to be simplicity-minded, and that's a gift. Not 'simpleminded,' but 'simplicity-minded,' having the ability to reduce elaborate ideas to a core center or essence. At the same time it is a gift to be able to see what other minds do not; to recognize implications, nuances, extensions of ideas that go beyond ordinary perception. Here again Joseph Smith was an original, for on the one hand in administrative and decision-making enterprises he went quickly to the heart of the matter with ingenuity and skill. But on the other hand, if required and asked to elaborate on a given doctrine or teaching he could do so and then would stretch the minds of all present. " (Madsen, Truman G. Joseph Smith the Prophet. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft 1989. pg 23)
It is very easy to develop the skill to communicate with people like ourselves, but a truly effective leader will not be satisfied with such a limited audience, no matter how well educated that audience may be! In his book, Madsen goes on to quote Brigham Young who acknowledged the broad range of Joseph's skill as a communicator of ideas:
" 'The excellency of the glory of the character of brother Joseph Smith was that he could reduce heavenly things to the understanding of the finite. When he preached to the people. . .he reduced his teachings to the capacity of every man, woman, and child, making them as plain as a well-defined pathway,' In that connection, speaking of Christ the Prophet said, ' If He comes to a little child, he will adapt himself to the language and capacity of a little child.' " ( Madsen, pg 89)
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Twelve Commandments for a Good Leader
Harold B. Lee was the 11th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The following quote reflects his immense wealth of leadership experience.
"Twelve Commandments for a Good Leader
First--Abounding faith in the importance of your work.
Second--Infinite tact in meeting trying situations.
Third--Unlimited patience in overcoming inertia in the community where you live.
Fourth--Endless good nature in the face of all trials.
Fifth--A saving sense of humor when nothing else will save the situation.
Sixth--A large vision of the work to be done. . .
Seventh--Ability to lose gracefully and rebound after every defeat. . .
Eighth--Unquenchable optimism in spite of all discouragements. . .
Ninth--Indomitable courage in standing for the right. . .
Tenth--A grim determination to see the work through to its completion. . .
Eleventh--A contagious enthusiasm that inspires local leadership. . .
Twelfth--Unreserved belief in the importance of the Church to the community and to the country."
(Williams, Clyde J., ed., The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 1st ed. [1996] 503)
"Twelve Commandments for a Good Leader
First--Abounding faith in the importance of your work.
Second--Infinite tact in meeting trying situations.
Third--Unlimited patience in overcoming inertia in the community where you live.
Fourth--Endless good nature in the face of all trials.
Fifth--A saving sense of humor when nothing else will save the situation.
Sixth--A large vision of the work to be done. . .
Seventh--Ability to lose gracefully and rebound after every defeat. . .
Eighth--Unquenchable optimism in spite of all discouragements. . .
Ninth--Indomitable courage in standing for the right. . .
Tenth--A grim determination to see the work through to its completion. . .
Eleventh--A contagious enthusiasm that inspires local leadership. . .
Twelfth--Unreserved belief in the importance of the Church to the community and to the country."
(Williams, Clyde J., ed., The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 1st ed. [1996] 503)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Capturing the Vision
Have you ever wondered what an affective vision statement looks like? Elder Gordon B. Hinckley provides us with a powerful example:
"In 1845, less than a year after Joseph's death, Parley P. Pratt wrote a summary of the Prophet's work and a statement of our obligation to advance it. These words, poetic in their beauty, are as follows:
'He has organized the kingdom of God.--We will extend its dominion.
He has restored the fullness of the Gospel.--We will spread it abroad
He has kindled up the dawn of a day of glory.--We will bring it to its meridian splendor.
He was a "little one," and became a thousand--We are a small one, and will become a strong nation.
In short, he quarried the stone. . .We will cause it to become a great mountain and fill the whole earth.'
(Millennial Star 5 [March 1845]: 151-52.)
"We are seeing the unfolding of that dream. I hope we shall be true and faithful to the sacred trust given us to build this kingdom. Our efforts will not be without sorrow and setbacks. We may expect opposition, both determined and sophisticated. As the work grows, we may expect a strengthening of the efforts of the adversary against it. Our best defense is the quiet offense of allegiance to the teachings which have come to us from those whom we have sustained as prophets of God." (Be Thou an Example, Deseret Book Co, Salt Lake City. 1981 pgs 10-11).
"In 1845, less than a year after Joseph's death, Parley P. Pratt wrote a summary of the Prophet's work and a statement of our obligation to advance it. These words, poetic in their beauty, are as follows:
'He has organized the kingdom of God.--We will extend its dominion.
He has restored the fullness of the Gospel.--We will spread it abroad
He has kindled up the dawn of a day of glory.--We will bring it to its meridian splendor.
He was a "little one," and became a thousand--We are a small one, and will become a strong nation.
In short, he quarried the stone. . .We will cause it to become a great mountain and fill the whole earth.'
(Millennial Star 5 [March 1845]: 151-52.)
"We are seeing the unfolding of that dream. I hope we shall be true and faithful to the sacred trust given us to build this kingdom. Our efforts will not be without sorrow and setbacks. We may expect opposition, both determined and sophisticated. As the work grows, we may expect a strengthening of the efforts of the adversary against it. Our best defense is the quiet offense of allegiance to the teachings which have come to us from those whom we have sustained as prophets of God." (Be Thou an Example, Deseret Book Co, Salt Lake City. 1981 pgs 10-11).
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Knowing what we don't know Part II
For Joseph Smith, his statement of vision was literal, for most of us, however, our statement of vision is symbolic. The vision a leader shares with others, must identify a problem and offer insight into the reason for the problem. Joseph's vision is central to the belief of faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because it allows us to feel that Joseph's problem is also ours. He didn't know how to develop a good relationship with God (the problem) and how to overcome the specific things that enable the problem to continue (the additional information he previously didn't know--which also prevents us from solving our own challenges in developing a meaningful connection with our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ.)
Whether it is re-branding a product with slumping sales or helping a child with slumping grades, our job is the same. Ask the question, be willing to do some research into contributing issues, then present a positive means for changing those factors. Often, our understanding of a problem is good but we just need to find a more productive way of doing what we already know. There are times, however, when finding an answer to our question requires us to change everything! Are we willing to do that? Are we willing to admit to ourselves that the vision we support about our product or ourselves is flawed?
Maybe the answer to our challenges can be found in much the same way as those of Joseph Smith: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5).
If we exercise faith and admit that we "don't know, what we don't know," then we have His sure promise that he will provide us with a means to "know what we don't know." What we do with that knowledge is up to us!
Whether it is re-branding a product with slumping sales or helping a child with slumping grades, our job is the same. Ask the question, be willing to do some research into contributing issues, then present a positive means for changing those factors. Often, our understanding of a problem is good but we just need to find a more productive way of doing what we already know. There are times, however, when finding an answer to our question requires us to change everything! Are we willing to do that? Are we willing to admit to ourselves that the vision we support about our product or ourselves is flawed?
Maybe the answer to our challenges can be found in much the same way as those of Joseph Smith: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5).
If we exercise faith and admit that we "don't know, what we don't know," then we have His sure promise that he will provide us with a means to "know what we don't know." What we do with that knowledge is up to us!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Knowing what we don't know Part I
I don't mind working on puzzles. I enjoy sorting the different pieces and finding relationships among them. Sometimes, my favorite puzzles are made with words, not just cardboard. While studying various materials to use with the students I teach, I came across a sentence that has kept my mind busy for some time: "I don't know what I don't know, until I know what I don't know." (The Red Road to Wellbriety , White Bison, Colorado Springs, Co., 2002 pg.46).
To be effective leaders, we need to have a plan or vision. The puzzle in the sentence above is the same one we face when we are trying to create our own vision. In the first clause of the sentence, the writer tells us that there is some type of problem facing us, the second clause tells us that we can't begin to solve that problem until we understand why we don't know how to solve the problem. Lost? Let's try looking at it through an example:
Joseph Smith was a 14 year old with a problem. He wanted to please God, but didn't know how to go about it. He knew that membership in a church could lead him to a better understanding about how to please God, but there were a lot of churches and a lot of doctrines to sort through. Joseph understood he had a problem, and knew the only way to resolve the problem was to find out why it existed in the first place. In other words, he knew what he didn't know and he wanted to know why he didn't know it!
To be Continued
To be effective leaders, we need to have a plan or vision. The puzzle in the sentence above is the same one we face when we are trying to create our own vision. In the first clause of the sentence, the writer tells us that there is some type of problem facing us, the second clause tells us that we can't begin to solve that problem until we understand why we don't know how to solve the problem. Lost? Let's try looking at it through an example:
Joseph Smith was a 14 year old with a problem. He wanted to please God, but didn't know how to go about it. He knew that membership in a church could lead him to a better understanding about how to please God, but there were a lot of churches and a lot of doctrines to sort through. Joseph understood he had a problem, and knew the only way to resolve the problem was to find out why it existed in the first place. In other words, he knew what he didn't know and he wanted to know why he didn't know it!
To be Continued
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
BYU Officers Bee
One of the purposes of the Brigham Young University Former Student Officers Society is to open up a dialog on important leadership issues that are of interest to our members and friends. Let's face it, how do we accomplish that when we have members all over the world and we only meet with a small fraction of you each year during our Homecoming events? This blog will be our humble attempt to get a meaningful dialog going. Feel free to join in, maybe make a few waves, but always keep in mind that the purpose of this site is to develop a thoughtful, challenging and uplifting discussion on what it means to be a leader. We are alumni of Brigham Young University and in no way do we speak for or in behalf of the University or its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
So, lets get going! The first question you might ask is, "What's with the name--Officers Bee?"
Answer: The Bee represents industry. A hive functions as a single unite, despite the amazing diversity in work assignment. There is a strong, predictable structure in the function of the hive and every member depends on another to fulfill its shared goal of providing food, shelter and safety for the rising generation. The way Bees communicate is amazing. They don't waste time with endless memos, or unnecessary board meetings, they communicate by being of one mind. They share a vision and that vision creates a link between the members of the hive. I think that when we are doing a good job of leading, those around us often seem to "know" what is the right thing to do, because it "feels" right; it is something that is in harmony with the vision of our organizations.
So, lets get going! The first question you might ask is, "What's with the name--Officers Bee?"
Answer: The Bee represents industry. A hive functions as a single unite, despite the amazing diversity in work assignment. There is a strong, predictable structure in the function of the hive and every member depends on another to fulfill its shared goal of providing food, shelter and safety for the rising generation. The way Bees communicate is amazing. They don't waste time with endless memos, or unnecessary board meetings, they communicate by being of one mind. They share a vision and that vision creates a link between the members of the hive. I think that when we are doing a good job of leading, those around us often seem to "know" what is the right thing to do, because it "feels" right; it is something that is in harmony with the vision of our organizations.
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