Focus on the potential. A leader/teacher sees less what is, and more what can be. A leader/teacher has faith, confidence and hope
in the outcome of the leading and teaching process. Only
where you clearly see the potential of the people you’re
leading and teaching can they be taught to catch the vision
of their own possibilities.
Open their eyes. A leader/teacher
illuminates new pathways and helps people practice the art
of the possible.
Illuminate their understanding. A key to change
and continuous improvement is helping your people understand
and appreciate pertinent information and see its value. This
improves their attitude and improves their behavior.
3. A leader/teacher exemplifies the
learning process.
Be a model. Demonstrate the qualities of hard
work, persistence, and the determination to excel so you
can be an example.
Know those you lead. Know their needs,
concerns, strengths, desires, etc. When you understand them
you can better teach them. Influence does not occur in a
vacuum. Seek revelation to discern the people’s hearts and
to learn of their needs. God can make known in an instant
what we may never discover on our own.
Earn their trust. Establish a relationship
of trust based on dependability, love and respect.
Be humble. A master teacher is humble, ever
willing to acknowledge that he or she likewise is in the
growing process. All learning depends on the courage and
willingness to learn and improve.
4. A leader/teacher builds an atmosphere for optimal growth.
Create a climate for learning. Create an
appealing atmosphere for learning and change. This does not
refer to the “classroom” or to the physical space as much
as to the framework for learning—the vision, the relationships,
the opportunities, the excitement, the energy, and the encouragement.
Focus on desire. When you create the
desire to learn, the biggest part of hurdle to learning is
overcome. In reality it is the learner who makes the difference.
Desire is the fuel for learning. Without desire, the learner
does not give you “permission” to influence him.
Listen. Then listen some more. A master teacher
listens. This skill nourishes the understanding and enables
you to discern the needs, prospects, strengths, vulnerabilities
and potential of the individual. Only through understanding
can genuine teaching and influence occur.
Master the techniques that foster learning. Teach efficiently and effectively by the Spirit. When the heart
is touched there is greater change.
Involve your people in the process. Discovery learning is very powerful.
Use high energy. Make learning fun
and exciting. It truly can be the adventure of life.
Encourage reach. Help them stretch
beyond their level. It
inspires creativity and discovery.
Be honest and candid. A teacher is honest.
When any of your people head into false byways and unproductive
pathways, you must be willing to set forth with clarity the
consequences so they can make wiser choices on the directions
to go.
Be gracious. Never embarrass anyone.
Use praise. Praise them for work well done.
Be creative. A teacher is resourceful and
innovative. No legitimate option for learning is left unattended
and unapplied where it might assist the individual to have
the “ah hahs” needed for true discovery.
5. A leader/teacher has endless patience.
Never give up. A master teacher is patient.
Some people grasp immediately, others take more time. What
makes the difference in the outcome? Patience, longsuffering,
gentleness, and meekness (sound familiar?). You cannot force
a young tree to grow up any faster than nature has provided
for its growth. But you can continually nourish it, prune
it in wisdom and provide an environment where it can rise
to fulfill its destiny.
Watch for the straggler. Encourage those who
struggle and fall behind. Look for the signs of discouragement.
Shore up the weak and instill hope in the fearful. Your attentiveness
can in itself be a great influence for good. (see D&C
81:5).
Have relentlessly high expectations. Always expect the best and treat your people like they are the
best. You, and they, will like the result.
Remember that presentation counts. The way you “serve” the message makes all the difference in your
influence. The way you present doctrines, principles, concepts
and covenants often makes the difference as to the acceptance
of your teaching. In his classic story entitled “A Piece
of Cake,” Boyd K. Packer describes his experience with a
group of missionaries.
We scheduled zone conferences. For each one, Sister Packer baked
a three-tiered cake, which she . . . decorated beautifully
with thick, colorful layers of frosting, trimmed beautifully,
and with “The Gospel” inscribed across the top. When the
missionaries were assembled, with some ceremony we brought
the cake in. It was something to behold!
As we pointed out that the cake represented the gospel, we asked, “Who
would like to have some?” There was always a hungry elder
who eagerly volunteered. We called him forward and said, “We
will serve you first.” I then sank my fingers into the
top of the cake and tore out a large piece. I was careful
to clench my fist after tearing it out so that the frosting
would ooze through my fingers, and then as the elders sat
in total disbelief, I threw the piece of cake to the elder,
splattering some frosting down the front of his suit. “Would
anyone else like some cake?” I inquired. For some reason,
there were no takers.
Then we produced a crystal dish, a silver fork, a linen napkin,
and a beautiful silver serving knife. With great dignity
I carefully cut a slice of the cake from the other side,
gently set it on the crystal dish, and asked, “Would anyone
like a piece of cake?”
The lesson was obvious. It was the same cake in both cases, the
same flavor, the same nourishment. The manner of serving
either made it inviting, even enticing, or uninviting,
even revolting. The cake, we reminded the missionaries,
represented the gospel. How were they serving it?
Quotes Worth Remembering
… try the best you can to think of them individually, to let them feel
something personal and special in the concern of you, their
teacher. Pray to know which student needs what kind of help,
and remain sensitive to those promptings when they then come.
– Howard W. Hunter
Teachers should be generous in their praise and encouragement. They can
do more to govern behavior through that channel than in any
other way. – Boyd K. Packer
How patient Jesus was as the Master Teacher – with how very good but far
less than perfect students. Is this example of patient persistence
not one that we, whether as pupil or teacher, are to contemplate
and to implement, time and again, in our lives? Will we be
sufficiently trusting and patient as we teach others, or
as we must wait upon the Lord for fullness of understanding
concerning that which we too have been taught but do not
yet comprehend? – Neal A. Maxwell
Cultivate a low, persuasive voice. How you say it often counts more than
what you say.
– Thomas S. Monson
When your testimony sags or appears to stumble along the way, why not remember
the goodness of the Lord? In the process of positive recall,
perhaps you can experience the spiritual healing that King
Lamoni and his father expressed. How exhilarating it is to
ponder the merciful nature of God, and how healing it is
to remember the eternal gifts of Christ! – Carlos E. Asay
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
