From Leading Marines to Leading Saints | A How I Lead Interview with Bart Sloat

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Barton Stuart Sloat was born in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, the youngest of four children. He attended BYU before serving a mission in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission, and later attended the University of Utah, graduating in Political Science and receiving a commission as a 2d Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He served as an Infantry Officer and commanded at the platoon, company, battalion and regimental level. He also served in numerous staff positions, including the faculty at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, and on several combat tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired as a Colonel with 32 years of active duty in 2012. Bart’s church service has included serving as a counselor in four bishoprics, a member of the high council, and in numerous teaching callings. He served as bishop and then stake president, and he and his wife, Anne, have been called to serve as mission leaders in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission beginning in July of 2022. The Sloats have five children and 19+ grandchildren.

Highlights

01:15 Introduction to Bart Sloat and his leadership background 10:15 Bart describes the process of becoming a better leader in the military 14:00 Bart talks about what he learned from his leaders and mentors 15:00 The people that you are leading only care about four things. If you do those four things they will follow you anywhere.

They have to know that you REALLY care about them
Really care about their family
That you are fair
That you are consistent

16:00 God very rarely tells us why when he gives us a commandment. When people trust you as a leader they won’t need to ask you why. 17:00 Bart’s leadership experience in the church 18:15 Impactful moments from Bart’s Marine Corp experience 23:40 Stimulus vs. response 25:30 Transitioning from a military leader to a new Bishop 30:30 The Bishop’s focus should be on the youth. Help the ward understand this and consistently talk about it. 32:30 What Bart learned as a Bishop. People confuse God’s love and God’s approval. Help people understand that the commandments were given for our benefit. 35:30 Transitioning from being a Bishop to a Stake President and what he learned in the process 37:30 We should first be converted to the Lord and then the Church. Baptism is for the remission of sins not membership in the church and same with the sacrament. 46:30 Thoughts on becoming a Mission President. His main goal is to help each missionary feel the love of God, find success, and keep them there. 47:25 Bart’s learning experience being a Stake President and dealing with missionaries 50:40 Truly caring about people is the most important thing to do as a leader

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Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler and many more in over 700 episodes.