Aloha. Thank you for inviting us back. We have missed being with you and the spirit you carry. It is such a blessing to be in a place where faith and prayer are part of learning and leading.
Let us start with learning. I would like to lay the foundation for our discussion with what I think is one of the eternal plans for learning. I have titled our discussion together, "Stepping into the Darkness." The idea is simple; God is not in the flash light business. In our premortal existence our challenge was to learn how to walk by obedience. We were given choices with clear explanations of the options and consequences. We chose correctly - to come to earth and learn from our experiences and how to "Walk by Faith." Often though, we feel if we just had a powerful flashlight to peer into the darkness, it would be easier. But that is not how this existence works. Even though we might not be totally clear where the path leads or what lies ahead, we are supposed to make choices, get on with it, step into the darkness and learn as we go. But as in all things, the Lord has not left us without help as we go forward. He has provided a process for learning and growing:
Stewardship - accepting an assignment with accountability, being given a trust for a period of time for which we will return and report.
Agency - the right and responsibility to choose and decide what we will do with the trust.
Accountability - the reporting back of our successes, failures, and most importantly what we have learned.
Let me give you a simple example. I have a colleague, Horst Abraham, who is a high performance coach. He is a competitive sailor, works with professional sports teams and helps us with executives. Once some executives asked him how they could improve and become better. He answered with a simple example. Horst decides what he wants to work on; for example listening better, giving clearer instructions, understanding the other person, asking better questions, etc. At the beginning of a day he thinks about what he can do to improve. He then puts ten small pebbles in his right pocket. During the day as opportunities come he tries to improve. If he succeeds he moves one pebble from his right pocket to his left. At the end of the day he empties his pocket and sees what progress he has made. He then plans for the next day.
Last year my doctor wanted me to do some exercises strengthening muscles that were weak. I said ok, and put ten pennies in my right pocket and moved them to the left during the day when I was able to do the exercises. At the end of the day I usually did not have ten pennies in my left pocket but by constantly trying, muscles became stronger. I reported back to the doctor and he asked how I was doing. I explained the process I was using and he looked at me in amazement and said, "You ought to patent that system." The Lord already has; figure out what you are trying to accomplish, use your agency to make the best choices possible and learn from your experience by evaluating your progress; stewardship, agency and accountability.
The Lord's Way of Learning
Christ used parables to help us understand eternal principles. The most widely known "learning" parable focuses on talents. Remember talents can symbolize a vast array - skills, opportunities, relationships, physical commodities, wealth, health, time, etc.
"For the Kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one: to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey" (Matthew 25:14-15).
Already in the very beginning of the parable, Christ is teaching us a key to progression and learning. He is not trying to treat us equally. He will design unique opportunities for us to learn and grow, but will not give us more than we can handle until we are ready to move on.
It Is Not Ours
These scriptures emphasize another key characteristic of stewardship. Stewards are those who are watching over and taking care of something that is not theirs. It is often easy to forget that the Lord is the source of everything we have. We are stewards, accountable for what we currently have. If we use it well, we receive more and move on. Even Joseph Smith needed to be reminded.
"And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished" (D&C 5:4).
We are to Use our Agency and Act
The parable continues. Remember what happens after the master left.
"Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money" (Matthew 25:16-18).
We are to act. The Lord does not control our actions; that was Satan's plan. Agency is a critical part of learning and progressing. The Lord sets clear expectations, guides us if and when we ask and allows us to use our agency.
The Time of Accounting
There will be a time of accounting. We will be required to evaluate and report back on our stewardship, for this is how we learn.
"After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them" (Matthew 25:19).
You will remember that the servant, who had five, gained five more. The servant who had two, gained two more. He who had one, lost even that. It was taken away and given to another. You cannot remain on a plateau long; you either progress forwards or go backwards.
Adam gets a hint of the importance of accountability as he is introduced to the role of Christ.
." . . Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time" (Moses 6:57).
Of all the titles that could have been used to introduce and explain the role of Christ, He is introduced as a righteous judge. And then the critical part, a command to us:
"Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children. . . ." (Moses 6:58).
We should learn these principles now. As we stand before Christ for our final accounting it should not be the first time we have reported back. That accounting will be more for us to come to a realization of what we have done, what we have learned and most importantly what we have become, using our agency. He already knows. It would be very good for our self evaluation to agree with His. We should have practiced enough that we know very clearly the principles of return and report. He explains to us many times in the scriptures the importance of accounting.
"And verily in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity" (D&C 72:3).
This process of stewardship, agency and accountability can be applied in many aspects of life. For example, imagine what your classes would be like if everyone applied these eternal principles of learning. Rather than simply skimming the assigned material before you go to class, why not really take your stewardship seriously. Read the material, study it and develop two to three questions which would help you better understand. Then, go to class and at the appropriate time raise your hand and ask something like, 'I don't understand when the author said ________, how does that apply to ____, but last week we talked about _________and I am not sure how it relates. But if I get a different result in the experiment what does it mean?'
Imagine what the class would be like if everyone came with two or three questions. After the teacher recovered from the shock of having a prepared class, you would probably have a wonderful discussion. Many of you have actually been in classes like that. Was it not great? Now, after the class, go home, sit down, take out a piece of paper or your computer and at the top write, today I learned and then write down what you learned. As you prepare for the next class, review what you have written, prepare again and write down questions and what you want to learn in the next class.
Or how about your home or visiting teaching. When is the last time you took your stewardship seriously, acted and then returned and reported? Seriously returned and reported and planned for the next visit. And why are you waiting for someone to contact you for your report. Part of accepting the stewardship, is accepting the responsibility of returning and reporting. Imagine what your quorum or Relief Society would be like if everyone did that. Of course now you would have a Bishop in shock, but he would recover and then he could get on with his stewardship, rather than filling in where we fall down on ours. Some of you have actually been in quorums, relief society groups or Wards that work like that. It only takes one to get it started, so go be that one.
The Lord's Way of Leading
So how does the process of stewardship, agency and accountability apply to leadership? At some point in our own eternal progression we have to focus on others. We can go no further by worrying about our own eternal progress. We have to start worrying about the progress of others. You have to be focused on lifting them, serving them, and helping them. That is the Lord's definition of leadership. It applies at Church, it applies at school and it applies in life. It is also the best definition of leadership the world has, because as leaders it is not about what you accomplish, it is about what you help others accomplish.
An example
We were working with an executive named Steve. He was employed at a large retail firm but was stuck at his current level because he focused on himself and what he could accomplish. He was not engaging others, motivating them, helping them do their jobs. His approach was what we call in leadership studies, command and control. His superiors asked us to work with Steve to see if he could change his approach to see the bigger picture, understand how he was affecting other people, and improve his ability to lead. He was African American, which fact will become important as I tell his story. We worked with Steve for nine months and were making little progress. As one of the activities, we went to the site of the Battle of Gettysburg. Over the course of the day we walked the battlefield and used the examples from the engagement to highlight leadership. At a very critical point in the Battle of Gettysburg, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, who commanded the 5th Corps, gave a speech to some mutineers who were refusing to fight. Let me quote a bit from his recreated comments. As I do, pay particular attention to how he reframes their stewardship so they could understand, commit and act on their responsibilities. I am not trying to glorify war, or suggest who was good or bad; I am trying to suggest an approach to working with others.
"I have been told that if you don't come I can shoot you. Well you know I won't do that...
This is a different kind of Army. If you look at history you'll see men fight for pay...,They fight for land, or because a king makes them... But we're here for something new... That hasn't happened before much in the history of the world. We're an army going out to set other men free...
It's the idea that we all have value, you and me, we're worth something more than the dirt...What we're fighting for in the end, is each other..."
I think if we lose this fight the war will be over. So if you choose to come with us I'll be personally grateful" (Useem, 1998).
The 5th Corps was given the end of the line to defend at a place called "Little Round Top", the end where the enemy must not sweep or the battle would be lost. The enemy charged many times, and in the process the men of the 5th Corps used all their ammunition. As the enemy was coming yet again, Colonel Chamberlain gave the command to fix bayonet and charge down the hill into what was bound to be withering fire. At this critical point, each of them, including the mutineers fixed bayonets and charged down the hill, so surprising to the superior enemy force that they retreated at a fast run. The battle and, by some historians' accounts, the war was saved.
I stood next to Steve on Little Round Top as our guide asked us to look down the hill and imagine the enemy's charge and what Colonel Chamberlain was asking his troops to do. It was very moving. I looked over at Steve and he was obviously having a very emotional experience. As we were walking away from the site I asked him if he was ok. He said yes he was fine. And then he said "This is the first time I have understood what others have done for me". He was beginning to understand his own leadership responsibilities in a different way. For that moment the unspoken leadership question became what could he do for others.
Leadership is helping others to more clearly understand their stewardship, use their agency to act and be accountable. Notice how in the economy of the eternities, the process we use as leaders is exactly the same as the one the Lord uses with us.
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was once asked how he handled such a great load. He was the religious leader, the military leader, and the governmental leader. He answered simply, "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves". This is not command and control. This is stewardship, agency and accountability. Where did he learn these principles? He learned from his study of the scriptures and tutoring from many heavenly messengers. Moroni was his senior companion and trainer for four years. Every year when they met, and probably more often than that, I am sure there was an accounting and Moroni would give more instructions. The fourth year his mother records Joseph reporting a meeting with Moroni by saying he, Joseph, was instructed, ." ..that the time has now come when the record should be brought forth, and that I must be up and doing..." (Proctor & Proctor, 1996). He was prepared and the Book of Mormon was to come forth.
The Lord also taught Joseph through revelation.
"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward (D&C 58: 26-28).
We had the privilege of working with Ingar Skaug, recently retired Chief Executive Officer of Wilhelmsen, one of the largest shipping and logistics companies in the world. A number of years ago, a ship loaded with refugees, was sinking. The Captain of a Wilhelmsen ship detoured his route and rescued over 400 people. He loaded them on his ship which was designed to hold a crew of less than 50 plus cargo. They headed for Australia, but as they approached, the government of Australia would not let them unload the refugees. Instead they told the Captain to take the refugees back to where they came from, which would have been suicide. Instead, the Captain said, no, we will stay here and feed and take care of these people until they are allowed to come ashore. After an 8-day stand-off, including a boarding of the ship by the military, arrangements were finally made and the refugees were allowed to go ashore and begin new lives. Of course, the cargo the Wilhelmsen ship was carrying was delayed, customers had to wait and Wilhelmsen lost money. But the captain did not have to be told what to do, he knew and he acted. Ingar taught correct principles, expected people to act and held them accountable for their actions.
Us
To help us learn how to lead using these principles, the Lord has woven opportunities to practice into the very fabric of our lives. We are in Church positions where we can help people understand their stewardships, help them use their agency, make proper choices and most importantly, give them the opportunity to report back. As Elder's Quorum and Relief Society Presidencies, as district leaders, as teachers in the Sunday School, in all positions; do not rob those you work and serve with of the opportunity to report back and learn from their experiences.
We worked with General Gordon Sullivan when he was Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. He took us on a four day trip visiting bases with the assignment of assessing leadership in the Army. I fear we learned more from him than he did from us. After four days we were exhausted and boarded his plane to return to Washington, D.C. I expected to do what I usually do in airplanes, read or sleep. But no, as soon as we sat down he said ok, time for the AAR. That stands for After Action Review and for the next three hours we talked about what we had seen, what we had learned and what we would recommend going forward. A very important leadership lesson was reinforced that day; always evaluate, report back and learn how to improve for the next time. An AAR can be a fairly simple set of questions:
- What were we trying to accomplish?
- What actually happened?
- What did we learn?
- What do we do now?
- How do we improve?
If you have any questions on how to do an AAR, visit Schofield Barracks on the way to Honolulu and ask anyone in the military. They do it all the time, as should we. I hope you recognize embedded in the AAR process, the concepts of stewardship, agency and accountability. You will be amazed how quickly you and others will improve if you just hold yourselves and them accountable. Let me share a little secret about relationships. It even works on dates, or in marriage. Try it, rather than you doing all the talking simply ask, so how did it go? What happened? How can I help next time?
Now a final example. C.O. Woody was an executive at a large power company. The company's executives asked me and some colleagues to interview employees and managers, and design a leadership program to help them improve. Everywhere I went, people's response was "Oh, C.O. helped us do that"."C.O. was the person that directed that, he will be the one to figure it out in the future." My last appointment of the day was with C.O. Woody. As I sat down and I said something like, "C.O. you are a legend around here. How do you work with these people?" C.O. was very self effacing and gave some general answers about working hard and getting other people involved. I finally pushed him a little and he said, "Well look around the office and tell me what you see." The walls were filled with pictures of his family, groups he had worked with, workers at plants he had visited. He explained, "A couple of years ago, I had a heart attack but the good Lord gave me another chance. As I was lying in the hospital recovering I decided when I came back to work I was going to treat everyone like family." We talked a bit and I think I understood what he was saying. But I finally really understood later in the lunch room. Mildred, and that is the best I can remember her name, was doing her job of cleaning tables and straightening up the area. She was looking radiant. I had seen her before so I knew a bit of her history as a single mom just trying to make it through, and I said, "Mildred, must be a good day," She said "great day, I am finally graduating." So I said "congratulations on finishing High School". And she said. "No, college". College? And then she told me how years before she was moping around the cafeteria doing her job, when C.O. asked her what was up. She explained the challenges she was facing and she reported he said something like, "Tell you what, we will support you to start taking classes at the community college. You keep going and keep your grades up and we will help you get a degree that will qualify you for a better paying job." C.O. held people to high expectations, helped them and held them accountable. Mildred was graduating and moving on. Can you think of anything Mildred would not do for C.O. Woody? Of course the answer is, Mildred would devote her full energy and creativity to helping C.O. Woody. He treated everyone that way, and they responded with high energy and high performance. The Lord's way of leading really works.
We have a granddaughter, Megan. When she was three her parents asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She said, "An elevator". They looked at her and thought how crazy, but this will pass. They went about preparing for Christmas, putting up decorations, baking, and buying presents. Christmas morning came and Megan came running into the room all excited, but the excitement soon turned to tears. Her parents tried to console her and asked her what was wrong, she said, "I didn't get an elevator". How many of us are asking for an elevator and are disappointed when we don't get one? I hope someday maybe you get yours; even a class A elevator with mirrors, carpet and music. But I can suggest different requests to put in your prayers:
- God, what would you have me do?
- What is the path I should walk today?
- Here are the actions I have chosen going forward, are they correct?
- Father, here is what I have learned, have I learned correctly?
- Is there more to learn?
- How can I help those I interact with, work with and meet?
- What can I do to improve?
Make the questions very specific, with actions you can use to fill your stewardship and help others fill theirs on a daily and weekly basis. My guess is that if we do that, we will eventually be quite satisfied with what the Lord has in mind, rather than the elevator we really thought we wanted.
This process of stewardship, agency and accountability really works. But we have to use it. Do not skip any steps, especially accountability. You have to evaluate progress, return and report and redefine your stewardship to a new higher standard. It is the only way you can learn and go forward. When you are in a leadership position, do not deprive others of the opportunity to make progress. Help them properly frame their stewardship, make wise choices and hold them accountable for what they have accomplished, what they have learned and what they have become. The Lord loves each and every one of us. He has custom designed the path we are following to give us the best opportunities to progress. Take advantage of the experiences you have to learn and the opportunities you have to lead. God bless you as go forth to accomplish the purposes of this wonderful University; to learn, to lead and to build.
References:
Useem, Michael, The Leadership Moment, (Three Rivers Press: New York) Chapter 5, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Defends Little Round Top, 1998, p. 134.
Proctor, Scot & Proctor Maurine, The Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, (Bookcraft: Salt Lake City) ,1996, p. 135.