Leadership, Love and Me

Greetings.

Here again to tell you bald is beautiful (if you have no options) and sunsets on the mountain are beautiful even if you do have options. Back at the office from a fantastic weekend with my sweetheart. Today I focused on plans for the Leadership Conference, giving the Leadership Principle for the Directors call, coordinating with several Leaders from across the country and planning for Reunion opening night. Yes, it was a very full day, just like yours, and I hope you enjoyed your busyness as much as I did.

The day’s focus on Leadership left me with some impressions. First, how vitally important good leaders are in our business and our lives. They are often the “spark plug” to our understanding, commitments and action. And they play an important catalytic role in our success. I was also struck with the reality that even leaders need leaders, who need leaders and so on. This means that all leaders are ultimately followers, empowered by leaders' influence, training and expectations. I thought about our ultimate life leader, even the Savior Jesus Christ and how His leadership taught us how to live and lead. His training was simple -- it was His gospel of love. That gospel He also called His yoke. A yoke is something we use to lighten or balance our load. It makes it easier to carry. This gave way to the thought that great leaders provide yokes for their team members. They show the way to use the yoke (system) by doing it (example) and then they teach the principles and practical practices of using the yoke. He and they teach us how to be and how to achieve our purpose in business and in life.

It is also clear that we are all leaders and leading – self, children, team members and strangers. We must be careful to do the right things. If we teach incorrect principles, by precept or example, we may set in place false assumptions that may lead to false traditions and roads that do not lead our followers to success or happiness. So, I am examining my leadership and my principles to make certain that I am not following false principles or traditions, and that I am teaching only truth and correct principles. I invite my associates to consider doing the same thing. This is akin to sharpening your leadership saw.

On another front, the last couple of days I have been focusing on my sweetheart and her relentless service, love and support. I have noticed, more clearly, her countless services, kindnesses and how she is the perfect helpmete for me. Further, I have come to understand how much of what she does is unsung, unrecognized, even by those she serves most – me. So, I am committed to notice, recognize, thank and help her more. Perhaps this “leadership” will encourage my men readers and friends to “follow” my lead. I suspect the results will pay great dividends to both of us.

Regarding my health journey, tomorrow it's a visit to a blood work specialist in northern Utah, on Thursday an evaluation for bone marrow (or stem cell) transplant, implant, therapies and then Friday, back to my new friend Chemo. The weekend will be interesting indeed. Your continued thoughts, prayers and good will be muchly appreciated as I enter this uncharted path. Thanks, in advance!

Remember, lead in truth, love in gratitude and pray in faith.

Onward and upward.

Love, Doug