Layne's Lunch

I heard this thought the other day and it caused me to stop and ponder its meaning, particularly in relation to how we spread the gospel. Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining. ― Anne Lamott It reminded me of the scripture in Matthew 5:14-16 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Elder Gordon B. Hinckley gave us this council in the April 1982 general conference.   The most persuasive gospel tract is the exemplary life of a faithful Latter-day Saint. . . If we as a people will walk with integrity, will be honest and moral in our actions, will put into our lives the simple and basic and wonderful principle of t...

Enabler #2, Continuously Improving, is closely tied to Enabler #1.  However, this is more focused on daily and steady improvement in becoming more like our Father in Heaven.  Jesus Christ gave this commandment to the people he visited in the Americas. 12.  Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect."   3 Nephi 12:48 “Becoming” is a principle of consistency and growth. Elder Dallas Merrell said:  "Our most fundamental doctrines impel us to improve, individually and as a group. We counsel one with another. We pray together and in secret. We acknowledge our weaknesses, search scriptures, and ponder course adjustments. We receive the righteous benefits from heavenly inspired gifts of science, technology, and art. We bring all truth we are capable of receiving to harmonize our lives with the teachings and perfect example of our leader, Jesus Christ."  (Elder V. Dallas Merrell,  Beyond the Genius ...

The two "enablers" in my leadership model are those things that make applying the core definition of leadership and the 5 principles possible.  The first enabler, Continuously Learning, centers around the idea of intellectual curiosity.   Intellectual curiosity is a term used to describe one's desire to invest time and energy into learning more about a person, place, thing or concept. It is a deep and persistent desire to know.  A person who is intellectually curious is always asking and seeking the answer to the question of "Why?" The scriptures are clear that each of us should be continuously expanding our knowledge.  Here are a few examples 36.  The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.  D&C 93:36 7.  And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith;  D&C 109:7 19. ...

This principle can best be summed up with this phrase.  "When you are in charge, take charge”.  That may sound a bit harsh, but teams and organizations suffer when the person who is supposed to be leading shirks their duty and does not step up to the responsibility of leadership.   General Norman Schwarzkopf said it in another way, “When placed in command, take charge.”  Leading from the front involves using the “come with me” approach to leadership. I think one of the great scriptural examples of this principle is found in the Book of Mormon Chapter 2.  1 And it came to pass in that same year there began to be a war again between the Nephites and the Lamanites. And notwithstanding I being young, was large in stature; therefore the people of Nephi appointed me that I should be their leader, or the leader of their armies.  2 Therefore it came to pass that in my sixteenth year I did go forth at the head of an army of the Nephites, against the Lamanites; t...

There are a plethora of books published on how to be a great leader.  Most of them are the musings of famous or successful people.  While I think it is important to read about the success of others to help you better define your leadership pattern, it can also lead you into a trap.  Often the leadership principles in these books are portrayed as the 3,5,7, or 10 things you need to do to be an effective leader.  However, that leader was effective because the (pick a number) leadership principles that they wrote about in their book are their leadership strengths.  Unfortunately, it is rare to find a book about leadership that is well-researched and documented that spells out exactly what will make you an effective leader.  Your leadership pattern is as individual as you are.   Over the past several years a number of companies have embraced StrengthsFinder as an approach to evaluating employees. StrengthsFinder is a test and an ...

Recently I was having a conversation with a good friend.  He was going through a bit of a faith crisis and was considering asking the bishop to release him from his calling.  As we were talking I had a rare, but poignant flash of inspiration.  I told him that the light you are seeking is at the other end of the tunnel, not the end you just came from.  As we discussed the challenges he is facing we both came to realize that the way out of this frustration is not found in turning back, but by pressing forward. Elder Vern Stanfill spoke about a similar topic in the October 2015 General Conference ( Choose the Light )  He talked about bicycling with some friends into a long dark tunnel.  At first they could see the light from where they came into the tunnel, but eventually they were enveloped in darkness.  Those with insufficient lights had to rely on those who had more powerful lights.  Eventually they saw the pinpoint of light from the exit of t...

Lead Fairly and Kindly Most leadership books list several styles of leadership.  They have different names, but some of the main categories are the leaders that coerce and drive their people to “Do what I say”.  Another style may be the “Come with me” approach.  There are those leaders that take a “People come first” style.  Others my lead in a more democratic fashion.  Or they may view themselves as a coach.  The hypothesis is generally that an effective leader can readily switch between styles when needed.   While this may be necessary, this principle of leadership applies to all of them. The leader has a responsibility to maintain and sometimes set the standards for the organization or the team.  Inevitably someone breaks the rules and the leader is left with the responsibility to “Deal with it”.   A leader that is both fair and kind has to strike that balance between the justice and mercy part of leadership.  A leader sometime...