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Our Class on Leadership dealt with looking at how the world looks at leadership and we discussed some of those aspects as seen through the principles that are taught in Management Programs around the world.  These Principles follow below.

We then looked at how these principles that have lasted a significant amount of time are actually grounded in what God has taught us through His word and through the testimony of others as they are led by the Holy Ghost.  

We reiterated the fact that God is in and through all things, and that He created all things and pronounced them good.  Man, through the influence of the adversary can soil, dirty, pollute those things that God pronounced good.  And through the Holy Ghost, all things can be returned to the pristine condition when first created, including Principles of Leadership.  

We are instructed through the scriptures to maintain a life grounded in the fruits of the Spirit

(Galatians 5)       Love – Joy – Peace – Longsuffering – Gentleness, Goodness – Faith – Meekness - Temperance

If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit.  When we come to Christ and accept His sacrifice for our lives, we no longer live to ourselves, we live for others.

In living for others, we become Servant Leaders – The welfare of the one in front of us is our main purpose and the time to accomplish this purpose is NOW!

When we look at the principles below through the Holy Ghost's guidance, we can see that God is working to lead His creation back to Him and showing how to serve others.

The Gary Principles (1901)

Elbert Henry Gary

I believe that when a thing is right, it will ultimately and permanently succeed.

The highest rewards come from honest and proper practice. Bad results come in the long run from selfish, unfair and dishonest conduct.

I believe in competition ... that the race should be won by the swiftest, and that success should come to him who is most earnest and active and persevering.

I believe that no industry can permanently succeed that does not treat its employees equitably and humanely.

I believe thoroughly in publicity. The surest and wisest of all regulation is public opinion.

If we are to succeed as business men/women, we must do it on principles that are honest, fair, lawful, and just.

We must put and keep ourselves on a platform so fair, so high, so reasonable, that we will attract the attention and invite and secure the approval of all who know what we are doing.

We do not advocate combinations or agreements in restraint of trade, nor action of any kind which is opposed to the laws or to the public welfare.

We must never forget that our rights and interests are and should be subservient to the public welfare, that the rights and interests of the individual must always give way to those of the public.

The Basic Principles (1940-Present)

Achieve Global

1.     Focus on the situation, issue, or the behavior not on the person.

2.     Maintain the self-confidence and self-esteem of others.

3.     Maintain constructive relationships.

4.     Take the initiative the make things better.

5.     Lead by Example

6.     Think Beyond the Moment.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989)

Steven R. Covey

Habit 1:     Be Proactive  

          Are my actions based upon self-chosen values or upon my moods, feelings, and

                    circumstances?

Habit 2:     Begin with the End in Mind

          Have I written a personal mission statement which provides meaning, purpose, and

                    direction to my life?  Do my actions flow from my mission?

Habit 3:     Put First Things First

          Am I able to say no to the unimportant, no matter how urgent, and yes to the important?

Habit 4:     Think Win-Win

          Do I seek mutual benefit in all interdependent relationships?

Habit 5:     Seek FIRST to Understand, THEN to be Understood

          Do I avoid autobiographical responses and instead faithfully reflect my understanding

                    of the other person before seeking to be understood?

Habit 6:     Synergize

          Do I value different opinions, viewpoints, and perspectives of others when seeking

                    solutions?

Habit 7:     Sharpen the Saw

          Am I engaged in Continuous improvements in the physical, mental, spiritual, and

                    social/emotional dimensions of my life?

21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader (1999)

John C. Maxwell

1.     Character: Be a Piece of the Rock

2.     Charisma: The First Impression Can Seal the Deal

3.     Commitment: It Separates Doers and Dreamers

4.     Communication: Without It You Travel Alone

5.     Competence: If you Build it, They Will Come

6.     Courage: One Person and Courage Is a Majority

7.     Discernment: Put an End to Unsolved Mysteries

8.     Focus: The Sharper It Is, the Sharper You Are

9.      Generosity: Your Candle Loses Nothing When It Lights Another

10.      Initiative: You Won't Leave Home Without It

11.      Listening: To Connect with Their Hearts, Use Their Ears

12.      Passion: Take This Life and Love It

13.      Positive Attitude: If You Believe You Can, You Can

14.      Problem Solving: You Can't Let Your Problems Be a Problem

15.      Relationships: If You Get Along, They'll Go Along

16.      Responsibility: If You Won't Carry the Ball, You Can't Lead the Team

17.      Security: Competence Never Compensates for Insecurity

18.      Self-Discipline: The First Person You Lead Is You

19.      Servanthood: To Get Ahead, Put Others First

20.      Teachability: To Keep Leading, Keep Learning

21.      Vision: You Can Seize Only What You Can See

Book Recommendations

Side by Side Leadership – Dennis and Laurie Romig

Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman

Extreme Ownership -Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Start with Why – Simon Sinek

7-Habits of Highly Effective People – Steven Covey

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking – Malcolm Gladwell

The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy – Jon     Gordon

Drive – Daniel Pink

Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek