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In this episode of the How I Lead segment we talk to Adam Ellsworth. Adam is currently serving as the president of his elders quorum in Maryland. Both Adam and his wife were raised in Southern California but did not meet until they attended the same student ward at Brigham Young University. After receiving his bachelors degree at BYU, Adam graduated law school from Pepperdine University after which he took a job in Washington D.C. as a patent attorney. Adam and his family have called D.C. home for the last 10 years. Adam also shares with us his five leadership principles accompanied with an effective and unique approach to home teaching. He and his presidency have effectively changed the culture of home teaching in their quorum.
5 Principles of Leadership:
- Exercise inspired judgment and allow others to do the same (46:30)
- Focus on Christ (47:23)
- Lead with Christ’s authority in the manner that he instructed (49:00)
- If you want something done, talk one on one (52:57)
- Be one, build unity by communication.
Episode Highlights:
- What was your childhood like? (4:00)
- Did you serve a full time mission? (4:51)
- How did you meet your wife? (6:20)
- What is the first general conference talk that comes to mind? (7:48)
- What other callings have you had? (12:20)
- How were you called as elders quorum president? (13:04)
- HOW DO YOU APPROACH HOME TEACHING? (14:00)
- Five Principles of Leadership (40:37)
Links:
- DOWNLOAD the Home Teaching document from Adam’s stake
- The Power of a Strong Testimony, by Elder Richard G. Scott
- DeAnna Murphy Episode
- The Weightier Matters of the Law: Judgment, Mercy, and Faith, by President James E. Faust
- Essentialism Episode
This was a fantastic interview with Adam. Excellent leadership principles. I found the concept of the “search and rescuing companionships” very interesting.
I also really liked the criteria he used to put companionships together. Adam combines practicality with inspiration. I love that.
This is an interview I’m going to send to my Elder’s Quorum President. Thank you Adam! Great stuff.
I’m listening to “The Power of a Testimony” by Richard G. Scott right now!
And Kurt, for the record, I’d like to abolish those sign up forms too. The brethren have told us the church works by assignment. And doing things by assignment can bring about amazing experiences for people who need those experiences.
Hi. I just listened to this today and noticed that Adam was using the word “ministering” quite often in reference to home teaching. Then he actually said that we should consider home teaching as “home ministering!” We all know now about ministering which has been introduced. It’s amazing to me how connected we are as a church as we listen to the spirit.
Hey David and Andrew, I’m just now seeing your comments.
David, I’m glad you enjoyed the episode and I’m particularly glad you listened to “The Power of a Strong Testimony.” I return to Elder Scott’s description of testimony time and time again as I talk and teach. It’s so, so true.
Andrew, I haven’t gone back and researched how much the term “minister” was in teaching and training materials, but I feel like it was just – natural. None of the materials I read focused on the teaching. All the materials focused on serving and… ministering. Since I wanted to convey to my quorum what I actually wanted them to be doing, we used the word “ministering” much more often than “teaching.”