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Leadership for Saints
Effective leadership has always been a vital part of the Lord's work. As the restored Church continues to expand at unprecedented rates aroundthe globe, effective leadership is today more critical than ever. Inoffering this book on leadership,we acknowledge that we are no different from you who are reading it.Like you, we are simply trying to do better and be better in our service to the Kingdom of God. In these pages, we share some of theteachings, nurturing moments, andtraining that people and the Spirit of the Lord have given us. We esteem ourselves no better than anyone else(see Alma 1:26). Yet with a desireto serve and bless, we offer thiswork with the hope that it will helpall who seek to be better leaders.Leadership is stewardship. Faithful
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 8, 2002
12 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Rodger Dean Duncan
5 books3 followersRodger Dean Duncan is the award-winning, bestselling author of CHANGE-friendly LEADERSHIP and a regular contributor to Forbes and other publications. His work has been featured in The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, Fast Company, Inc., and many other national and international media outlets.
He was advisor to cabinet officers in two White House administrations and headed global communication for Campbell Soup Company. He’s been leadership coach to senior officers in more than 100 companies in multiple industries.
Duncan earned his PhD in communication and organizational behavior at Purdue University. Legendary personal success coach Stephen R. Covey called Duncan’s work in leadership “brilliantly insightful and inspiring; profound, yet user-friendly; visionary, yet highly practical.”
He was advisor to cabinet officers in two White House administrations and headed global communication for Campbell Soup Company. He’s been leadership coach to senior officers in more than 100 companies in multiple industries.
Duncan earned his PhD in communication and organizational behavior at Purdue University. Legendary personal success coach Stephen R. Covey called Duncan’s work in leadership “brilliantly insightful and inspiring; profound, yet user-friendly; visionary, yet highly practical.”
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 5, 2022
This is absolutely one of the very best books!!! I am anxious to read it again and take LOTS of notes...and start applying the many wonderful things I have learned.
January 7, 2013: If it were possible, I would give this book 10 stars. I learned sooooo much! I bought the book as a resource for my LDS Church calling, but it is filled with so much wisdom for other leadership aspects of my life, too. I highly recommend this book.
January 7, 2013: If it were possible, I would give this book 10 stars. I learned sooooo much! I bought the book as a resource for my LDS Church calling, but it is filled with so much wisdom for other leadership aspects of my life, too. I highly recommend this book.
February 17, 2018
“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
There are three kinds of members in the church: saints, aint’s complaints. Our challenge, our opportunity, our covenant, is to be saints.
Motto: Obedience is the price. Faith is the power. Love is the motive. The spirit is the key. Christ is the reason.
In our individual ministries we can choose to be either primarily transactional leaders or transformational leaders. A transactional leader focuses on routines and regimented activities. He invests most of his energy in making sure meetings run on time, that administrative details are properly handled and that completed tasks are noted on check lists. A transformational leader focuses primarily on initiating and managing changes in those he serves. He invests energy in efforts that influence people to improve, to stretch and redefine what’s possible. While the bishop needs both kinds of leaders, it is the transformational leader who is most influential in bringing about the might change in people.
The road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action
Good LDS members is active not passive. Active verbs have power. People who are the happiest, strongest, are those who honor covenants, hold to the rod of the word of God, obey the commandments.
Low competence/high commitment: Directing (structure, control, supervise)
Some competence/low commitment: Coaching (direct and support)
High competence/variable commitment: Supporting (praise, listen and facilitate)
High competence/High commitment: Delegating (give responsibility and accountability)
There is nothing as unequal as the equal treatment of unequal
“We scheduled zone conferences. For each one, Sister Packer baked a three-tiered cake, … decorated beautifully—thick, colorful layers of frosting, trimmed beautifully, and with ‘The Gospel’ inscribed across the top. When the missionaries were assembled, with some ceremony we brought the cake in. It was something to behold!
“As we pointed out that the cake represented the gospel, we asked, ‘Who would like to have some?’ There was always a hungry elder who eagerly volunteered. We called him forward and said, ‘We will serve you first.’ I then sank my fingers into the top of the cake and tore out a large piece. I was careful to clench my fist after tearing it out so that the frosting would ooze through my fingers, and then as the elders sat in total disbelief, I threw the piece of cake to the elder, splattering some frosting down the front of his suit. ‘Would anyone else like some cake?’ I inquired. For some reason, there were no takers.
“Then we produced a crystal dish, a silver fork, a linen napkin, and a beautiful silver serving knife. With great dignity I carefully cut a slice of the cake from the other side, gently set it on the crystal dish, and asked, ‘Would anyone like a piece of cake?’
“The lesson was obvious. It was the same cake in both cases, the same flavor, the same nourishment. The manner of serving either made it inviting, even enticing, or uninviting, even revolting. The cake, we reminded the missionaries, represented the gospel. How were they serving it."
The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul.
There are three kinds of members in the church: saints, aint’s complaints. Our challenge, our opportunity, our covenant, is to be saints.
Motto: Obedience is the price. Faith is the power. Love is the motive. The spirit is the key. Christ is the reason.
In our individual ministries we can choose to be either primarily transactional leaders or transformational leaders. A transactional leader focuses on routines and regimented activities. He invests most of his energy in making sure meetings run on time, that administrative details are properly handled and that completed tasks are noted on check lists. A transformational leader focuses primarily on initiating and managing changes in those he serves. He invests energy in efforts that influence people to improve, to stretch and redefine what’s possible. While the bishop needs both kinds of leaders, it is the transformational leader who is most influential in bringing about the might change in people.
The road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action
Good LDS members is active not passive. Active verbs have power. People who are the happiest, strongest, are those who honor covenants, hold to the rod of the word of God, obey the commandments.
Low competence/high commitment: Directing (structure, control, supervise)
Some competence/low commitment: Coaching (direct and support)
High competence/variable commitment: Supporting (praise, listen and facilitate)
High competence/High commitment: Delegating (give responsibility and accountability)
There is nothing as unequal as the equal treatment of unequal
“We scheduled zone conferences. For each one, Sister Packer baked a three-tiered cake, … decorated beautifully—thick, colorful layers of frosting, trimmed beautifully, and with ‘The Gospel’ inscribed across the top. When the missionaries were assembled, with some ceremony we brought the cake in. It was something to behold!
“As we pointed out that the cake represented the gospel, we asked, ‘Who would like to have some?’ There was always a hungry elder who eagerly volunteered. We called him forward and said, ‘We will serve you first.’ I then sank my fingers into the top of the cake and tore out a large piece. I was careful to clench my fist after tearing it out so that the frosting would ooze through my fingers, and then as the elders sat in total disbelief, I threw the piece of cake to the elder, splattering some frosting down the front of his suit. ‘Would anyone else like some cake?’ I inquired. For some reason, there were no takers.
“Then we produced a crystal dish, a silver fork, a linen napkin, and a beautiful silver serving knife. With great dignity I carefully cut a slice of the cake from the other side, gently set it on the crystal dish, and asked, ‘Would anyone like a piece of cake?’
“The lesson was obvious. It was the same cake in both cases, the same flavor, the same nourishment. The manner of serving either made it inviting, even enticing, or uninviting, even revolting. The cake, we reminded the missionaries, represented the gospel. How were they serving it."
The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul.
December 23, 2019
Por fin una buena guía para líderes en la iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de Los Últimos Días
Sin duda la iglesia a crecido a gran escala y la habilidad que más deben desarrollar los santos después de su discipulado es liderazgo.
En algunas ocasiones es difícil encontrar material de entrenamiento en liderazgo en la iglesia ya que en mi concepto mu Ho se habla de liderazgo, pero poco se capacita al respecto.
Este manual de liderazgo para Santos me parece una muy buena capacitación para cualquier santo que desee entender un poco más en cuanto a que es el liderazgo y cómo aplicarlo en la Iglesia.
Sin duda la iglesia a crecido a gran escala y la habilidad que más deben desarrollar los santos después de su discipulado es liderazgo.
En algunas ocasiones es difícil encontrar material de entrenamiento en liderazgo en la iglesia ya que en mi concepto mu Ho se habla de liderazgo, pero poco se capacita al respecto.
Este manual de liderazgo para Santos me parece una muy buena capacitación para cualquier santo que desee entender un poco más en cuanto a que es el liderazgo y cómo aplicarlo en la Iglesia.
July 4, 2020
I connected with this book on every level. I found the advice and council in this book to be extremely relevant to my life not only as a Latter Day Saint but also as a school teacher.
October 12, 2020
Very good book about leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The examples and practical advice will help anyone who is seeking to improve their leadership in the Church.
The examples and practical advice will help anyone who is seeking to improve their leadership in the Church.
Want to read
April 4, 2024Melanie
March 12, 2017
This book was awesome!
I want to purchase a copy and go to town underlining and making notes.
I want to purchase a copy and go to town underlining and making notes.
August 17, 2011
I don't ordinarily like this book but I picked it up out of nowhere and thought it was interesting. I think the books title doesn't do its usefulness justice. It's really a great book for understanding any kind of production environment, from an LDS perspective. there is numerous conversations about interacting with people, setting expectations, fulfilling obligations, dealing with 'failure', and so on.
Even though this was yet another 'random grab', I enjoyed reading it. There are quite a few one-line gems in the book that are useful in a variety of situations.
"Does the Lord regard your handicap as a reason to forfeit an opportunity to serve? Does he regard your handicap as a reason not to share the gifts you have? Some people say age is a handicap. My grandafther said dealing with age is simply mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
Even though this was yet another 'random grab', I enjoyed reading it. There are quite a few one-line gems in the book that are useful in a variety of situations.
"Does the Lord regard your handicap as a reason to forfeit an opportunity to serve? Does he regard your handicap as a reason not to share the gifts you have? Some people say age is a handicap. My grandafther said dealing with age is simply mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
October 20, 2011
This was more clear and consise than a few "coporate self help books" passed around our work place. Yet "self help" is not the category this book was intended. It is a practical how to get things done yourself and with others.
Worth reading again.
Worth reading again.
February 21, 2008
Fantastic!
August 31, 2008
Great resource! Wish I had these leadership ideas many years ago.
December 25, 2008
Within the LDS culture this is a must read on leadership.
January 29, 2009
What a great book for any leader, especially in the church. I found that I could relate many of these traits to any application of my life, church, work, and family.
August 18, 2011
This book is filled with very good principles and practical advice. I found the ideas to be helpful not only in serving in the church, but also in my role as a mother.
December 18, 2016
This is a great book about leadership development using the teachings of Jesus Christ as a foundation. This is both useful for LDS and any Christian. Highly practical and recommended!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews