Disciple Leadership

Where do I start in describing a disciple leader? We read and watched so many great articles and videos this week. Here are a few of my thoughts from my studies this week.

“A Disciple Preparation Center” was a devotional address given August 31, 2004 at BYU-I by David A. Bednar who was the president of the university at that time. He compared BYU-I with temples as places of learning. In this address he explained what a Disciple Preparation Center (DPC) is. He states, “A disciple is one who follows or attends upon another for the express purpose of learning (Oxford English Dictionary On-Line, second edition, 1989) …The word preparation implies the process of making or getting ready (Oxford English Dictionary On-Line, second edition, 1989) … And one of the common uses of the word center connotes a point from which things and influences originate or emanate (Oxford English Dictionary On-Line, second edition, 1989).” (Bednar, “A Disciple Preparation Center,” 2004.) Bednar explains the importance of learning more than academics. We need to become true disciples of Christ. This will help us in all aspects of our lives.

Kim B. Clark in his commencement address at BYU-Idaho, 2007 explained that great leaders follow Christ’s example of leadership. Clark states, “The call to be a disciple-leader is a call to minister and to serve. It is a call to lead as Christ leads. It is leadership with a small “L” – the kind of leadership that builds and lifts and inspires through kindness and love and unselfish devotion to the Lord and His work.” (Kim B. Clark, “Leadership with a Small ‘L’,” www2.byui.edu.)

According to Clark there are three principles that the Savior used as a leader.

1. Lead by Example
2. Lead with Vision
3. Lead with Love

In his closing remarks, Clark says, “I pray that no matter where you go, no matter what you do, you will always be disciples of the Savior and lead by example with vision and love.” (Kim B. Clark, “Leadership with a Small ‘L’,” www2.byui.edu.)

Jim Ritchie

We watched two video segments from Jim Ritchie, Achieving Higher Ground and Good to Great. “A true leader is someone who takes people to higher ground. They have changed the faces of history.” (Jim Ritchie, “Achieving Higher Ground”, The Ministry of Business Course, Video, 2012, accessed August 27, 2018.) Ritchie explains that great leaders motivate people by their example and conviction. They stand for important issues.

From the second video Ritchie states:

“We were not sent to this earth to be mediocre, but to be great.”

• Good is the enemy to great! - Most good people find a comfort zone in their goodness.
• Get the right people on the bus. –  Then decide where to use them. Don’t waste time with those who are not good.
• Possess these 3 Characteristics: 1) Great Product, 2) Believe you’re the best, 3) Passion for your product – If any of these 3 are missing you will be a good, but not great company.

(Jim Ritchie, “Good to Great”, The Ministry of Business Course, Video, 2012, accessed August 27, 2018.)

In an article from Acton Foundation for Entrepreneurial Excellence I learned that the “rarest skill is the ability to execute. This article explained that most people when given a task to complete start by asking a question without starting the project as needed. Most people are not self-starters who stay on task to complete the job. The most important challenges we will face are within ourselves. Overcoming things that hold us back is more important than other skills we can acquire.

This week we have learned that ‘becoming’ is the most important element of being a great leader. When we lead by example, vision and love we will be the self-starter that can do things to change the world.