Leadership
for Saints: Part 45
The Power of Influence
by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar
Some of the best leaders we know are not formally trained teachers
or business people, and are not necessarily skilled in the
nuances of management. Their organizing and planning skills
are only average. They don’t rely on their position or title.
It would never occur to them to “pull rank” in any way. Yet
they get exceptional results with the people they serve.
How do they do it? They influence. They wisely understand
that a leader’s key purpose is to influence others to
have a desire to be better and to do better.
By “influence” we do not mean “manipulation” in any form.
Manipulation consists of actions that are unrighteous. Influence,
in this context, denotes unconditional love and an open, transparent
desire to be helpful. It honors individual agency and it is
based on trust and authenticity. In this context, the leader’s
whole purpose is to help people be worthy of, receptive to
and eager for the Holy Spirit.
Great leaders lift and inspire. They teach and nurture. And they influence.
They are ministers. They feed their sheep. They are true shepherds,
to the individual lamb as well as to the entire flock.
This teaching, nurturing and influencing are part of Heavenly Father’s
plan. When people come into the Church, they are to be numbered,
they are to be named, and they are to be nourished by the good
word of God (see Moroni 6:4).
When the Savior asked Peter, “Lovest thou me?” Peter answered, “Yea,
Lord, thou knowest I love thee.” Three times the Lord repeated
the words, “Feed my
lambs” or sheep (see John 21:15-17). When our love is Godlike and unconditional,
we can feed (teach, nurture and influence) in a way that’s worthy of our people’s
confidence.
Leaders spend much of their time trying to strengthen and increase
the performance of those they lead and serve. Mission presidents
exhort, plead, admonish and simply try almost anything to encourage
young missionaries to be obedient, to work harder, to open
their mouths . . . and on and on the list goes. Bishops plead
with the priesthood brethren to do their home teaching.
Leaders often entreat people, but no one really “motivates” anyone.
Real motivation comes from within. It’s a product of internal
commitment and desire, not external poking or prodding. Great
leaders build commitment and desire with praise, encouragement,
and Spirit-directed instruction. They are sincere and genuine.
They affirm and express appreciation at every opportunity.
They influence.
The Power of Doctrine
Great leaders never send people on guilt trips. Rather, they allow
the Spirit to guide and they allow the doctrines to distill
upon their souls. When people understand doctrine and when
they embrace true principles for themselves, then they
change. Then they increase in desire to be diligent
in their duty.
Before you can influence them, the people you lead must know that
you have a personal concern for their welfare. When they know
you truly care they are more likely to listen to your message
as well as follow your instructions. Your influence is enhanced
when they know they are understood and appreciated.
Your responsibility is to provide a climate to help people choose to
do well. Agency is always the test. As leaders, we of course want to help people
make correct choices. External pressures may be effective for short-term or
momentary change, but lasting performance comes only through a change of heart.
That change of heart must be rooted in Jesus Christ and in his infinite atonement.
When people internalize doctrines and principles, their hearts are
changed and they literally become new creatures. When their
hearts are right (prepared to receive the will of God) they
are easily entreated, they are righteously submissive and they
have a desire to do good.
Sometimes, of course, people simply are not prepared to change.
They may not yet be at a level of knowledge or understanding
to bring about change. Or they may have inadequate faith or
they may lack the vision necessary to receive inspiration at
that particular time. We must always work at the level people
are to raise them one step at a time . . . line upon line and
precept upon precept.
Sometimes the situation is not conducive to inspiration. It simply
is not the right time. When people have competing concerns
or priorities, it’s difficult for them to receive instruction
or even encouragement that can make a difference in their feelings
or their behavior.
Change or improvement can occur only when the person you hope to
influence is ready.
Great leaders use correct principles to inspire and encourage those
they serve. They teach and inspire by example, precept, coaching
and mentoring in groups or in one-on-one settings. The principles
and doctrines they teach are like the roots of a magnificent
tree—in a sense like the tree of life. Remember that the fruit
of the tree of life is the Love of God. Love is the pure motive
for every righteous attempt to influence.
Effective leaders use doctrine, principles, covenants and concepts
to help people understand and appreciate to a point where they
are filled with gratitude. This gratitude works within them
and provides the impetus to move forward. They literally change.
Their attitudes and behavior become more Christlike. They become
instruments in the hands of God—willing, able and eager to
do right things for the right reasons.
How conscientious should we be as we teach and influence? As a model,
consider the report of Jacob, the younger brother of Nephi:
And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the
responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own
heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence;
wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not
come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon
our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last
day (Jacob 1:19).
As parents, we must recognize our responsibilities as well (see
D&C 68:25-28). We must be worthy of the trust of all those
we teach (see Mosiah 23:14). If we are not humble, full of
faith, love, hope and charity, we cannot assist in the Lord’s
work of strengthening souls (D&C 12:8).
Quotes Worth Remembering
It is the duty of a Saint of God to gain all the influence he can on this
earth, and to use every particle of that influence to do good.
If this is not his duty, I do not understand what the duty
of man is. – Brigham
Young
We cannot hope to influence others in the direction of virtue unless we
live lives of virtue. The example of our living will carry
a greater influence than will all the preaching in which we
might indulge. We cannot expect to lift others unless we stand
on higher ground ourselves. – Gordon B. Hinckley
A man's living determines his personality and his personality is the greatest
power he possesses to influence others. – Stephen L. Richards
Do not underestimate the profound influence—politically and socially—of
the principles of the restored gospel upon all of mankind. – David B. Haight
… when he feels that the teacher loves him, is trying to do him good and
to teach him that which will be for his everlasting welfare,
then the teacher has an influence over the child, that when
he studies he will study with a purpose and with an earnest
desire to be benefited and to please the teacher; because he
knows and feels in his little heart that the teacher loves
him and is seeking to do him good. – Joseph
F. Smith
Note: The excerpts of Leadership for Saints posted on Meridian
are only a fraction of the contents of this 349-page book.
To learn more about this ground-breaking book and to order
copies, click here.
