Chapter 9: Leadership Traits.

I believe the greatest discourse on leadership in the scriptures is found in D&C 121:34-46.  This passage of scripture should be read an reviewed often by all leaders.

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
41 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;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 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;
44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

This brings me to the final piece of my leadership pattern.  These are the traits that surround both the core principle and my five key principles of leadership.

I believe that these twelve traits should be developed by all leaders.  While they might not be our strengths, the certainly need to be in your leadership tool bag.  Here are the twelve leadership principles I gleaned from D&C 121:34-46

* Charity
* Virtue
* Faithfulness
* Righteousness.
* Endurance
* Knowledge
* Sincerity
* Confidence
* Persuasion
* Gentleness
* Meekness
* Kindness

In the coming blog posts I take each of these traits individually and discuss what it means and why we should try to better develop each trait.

One additional note.  Those with some knowledge of military history will note that my leadership pattern has some distinct similarities to the the U.S. Army Air Corps Insignia.  When I was developing my leadership pattern I was challenged to draw a picture of it. As I started to try and visualize how to represent it, an old patch that I wore a long time ago came to mind.  It seemed to fit perfectly.