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You may recognize Chris Allen’s name because he was the author of the previous post called Encouraging Young Men to Lead. Again, Chris Allen is a Young Men President in Sandy, Utah. He works for a local blood laboratory and enjoys being with his family when he isn’t mountain biking. He has years of experience in the Young Men program and shares a fascinating approach to helping young men become leaders in his ward. After Chris wrote that awesome article I asked him to stick around and let me interview him to learn his tactics for leading the Young Men program. What came to the surface was fascinating. Below you will find his keys to leadership, but we also discuss his interesting approach to biannual visits and how that has helped him build trust with the young men in his ward. He also shared the importance of boarders and transitions. This is definitely worth a listen!
Chris Allen’s Keys to Leadership:
1. Vision: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)
Jesus called plain fishermen as his closest and most trusted associates. What is my vision, purpose, and associated mission? Leaders must have a vision. This dictates every activity and every goal for every level of an organization. If the vision isn’t clear for everyone, people are moving in different directions and energy isn’t as focused. In the Young Men program, if the vision is on preparing young men for temple ordinances and missionary service, every activity, lesson, and goal will be focused on that end. I see this in action when I teach the priest quorum assistants what the vision and mission are and help us set goals for the quorum and then let them plan activities on their own. They routinely plan activities that work towards the goals and are in line with the vision rather than just basketball or video game nights. Jesus taught this so many times when he used phrases like “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:9)
2. Courage: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid” (Joshua 1:9)
Jesus showed incredible courage in making his vision a reality when He went into the garden. What sacrifice am I willing to make to fulfill my mission? Courage is what a leader needs to execute the vision. It’s easy to sit in a room and daydream about the perfect world, but to go out and work to make the vision a reality is scary stuff. You have to stand against the status quo and have thick skin. People will criticize new ideas and avoid making changes. It takes courage to stand in the here and now and say we want to reach perfection and this is how to do it today. To persevere even when the odds are against you and people don’t yet believe in you. Be bold like Captain Moroni. Step to the edge of the current state and push the boundaries.
3. Integrity: “…when Zoram had made an oath unto us, our fears did cease concerning him.” (1 Nephi 4:37)
Jesus demonstrated integrity. This is why we can put our faith in Him. This is the trait that holds together all the other traits. A leader must be absolutely trusted and honest. To me this means exact obedience. My current bishop comes to Sunday school every week. I know when I go sit in a temple recommend interview and he asks me if I attend my Sunday meetings, that he attends his. There is no deception. With the young men this is vital because more than just about anyone else, they watch the behavior of their leaders. They expect me to practice what I preach and if I don’t, they lose trust and won’t listen to me.
4. Commitment “…we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness…” (D&C123:13)
Jesus was committed to the core. No matter what hunger, thirst, fatigue or other obstacle got in his way, He carried on with His mission of saving mankind. Are we committed to our own cause? This is in the top five because it’s so important to stick to our guns. We’ve got the vision in place, but do we really eat, sleep, drink, breathe the cause? Do we get out of morning every day saying “How am I going to fulfill my mission today? What can I do today to accomplish my goals and make my vision a reality?” Even on vacation or when we’re sick, or at work? A powerful leader needs to be so committed to the cause that everything they do is filtered through the vision. Whether called as a formal leader or not, when you’re absolutely committed to a vision, people will follow you.
5. Empathy “And Jesus went forth, …and was moved with compassion toward them…” (Matthew 14:14)
Jesus couldn’t resist the deep love and empathy he had for others. When he saw people who were in need, he helped them. As leaders, people must be able to feel our love for them. That is ultimately the overriding motive behind the vision and mission we’re about all day every day. Empathy for the plight of others’ builds unity. It builds connections that tie our souls together. That’s when Zion happens.
Links:
Planning With a Purpose Information Get Out of the Way After You Delegate Curtis LeBaron Interview TrailTrainer.net
