leadership enrichment series final

“A Conversation on Defining Direction”
With Kim B. Clark, President of BYU Idaho

The Pattern for Leadership

Take Action Today
• Be guided by the Spirit as you listen today.
• Take notes, answer questions on the handout.
• Go back and apply what you learn.
• Visit the new Website for resources.
• Contact Human Resources
for additional help.

Coming in Early 2011
Elder Richard G. Scott, a member of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Question #1
• What is the role of planning and strategy, or
defining direction, in a Church led by
revelation?

Moses 6:32-34
And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded
thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I
will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth
me good.
made you.
Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who
Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and
the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course;
and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.

The Flows of Revelation
• Flow 1: The Lord’s plan, defined in broad terms, given to us through prophets –
prophetic guidance on ideas, people, capabilities that determine the broad
direction of the organization. (“Go forth and do as I have commanded thee.”)
• Flow 2: Revelation from the Lord about specific issues that determine the ongoing
direction of the organization. (“Open thy mouth and it shall be filled.”)
• Flow 3: Ideas and projects we initiate that the Lord justifies, magnifies, and
blesses. We take these initiatives based on impressions we receive, our prayers,
and counsel (prayerfully seeking inspiration, seeking witnesses). (“Behold my Spirit
is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify.”) (See D&C 58:27-28)

Question #2
• How do you balance doing our part (“being
on the move”) and receiving revelation or
guidance of the Spirit? What is the right
mix?

Question #3
• How do you define direction in this context
when your work affects other organizations
whose leaders are also embedded in these
kinds of flows?

Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the
princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are
great exercise authority upon them.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great
among you, let him be your minister;
And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Question #4
• In setting direction, how do you gain the
hearts and minds of everyone across the
organization?

Question #5
• As you think about the leader, what
characteristics will be critical in making this
model of defining direction work?

Observations About What the Leader Needs
• The guidance of the Holy Ghost
• Eyes to see . . . hear and understand prophetic guidance and the larger
picture in which our organization fits
• Perspective – eternal and organizational
• A sense of being an agent of the Lord . . .
• Good relationships with organizations or parts of organizations that
connect to ours

Observations About Leading
• You have to be an optimist. There is no other way.
• Avoid cynicism at all costs.
• You cannot be headstrong. You have to listen and be quick to observe.
• Don’t allow yourself to get discouraged or disillusioned. Things will
work out. Trust the Lord and His timing.
• Love by faith. It is the Lord’s way to teach and learn.
• Attitude is crucial . . . you have to teach attitudes and values.