I always appreciate feedback, good or bad.
After last week’s message about the effectiveness of a new bishop visiting every home in the ward, I received mixed feedback.
One email said…
“Worst advice to a new bishop ever.”
This short and simple reply made me wonder…
Was my advice really the “worst advice to a new bishop ever?”
I admit, it maybe wasn’t the best advice ever but it’s definitely not the worst.
What would be the worst advice to a new leader ever?
That’s easy.
The worst leadership advice ever would be…
“Be unintentional about everything you do.”
Sure, attempting to visit every home in the ward as a new bishop might not be the best move, but at least it is an intentional move.
The birth of awful leadership happens with every unintentional step a leader takes.
Unintentionally doing what the last leader did.
Unintentionally allowing the loudest administrative task to dominate your attention.
Unintentionally assuming you have all the perspective you need.
Yeah, being unintentional is the worst leadership advice ever.
From time to time, I encounter individuals who are resistant to the idea of Leading Saints as a resource.
They don’t see the need for a platform that creates space to explore leadership thought in the context of Latter-day Saint tradition.
This is fine; I don’t expect every individual to be a Leading Saints enthusiast.
However, I always wonder…
If you don’t follow Leading Saints, what are you doing to remain intentional with your leadership efforts?
The unintentional leader receives less revelation.
The unintentional leader is less connected with those they lead.
The unintentional leader offers much less hope and empathy to those in their flock who are desperate for direction.
So, today, I proudly accept the silver medal for worst leadership advice ever.
I really don’t mind, as long as the gold medal goes to the unintentional leader.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
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