John Hester is a leadership consultant, trainer, researcher, and writer with The Ken Blanchard Companies. He currently serves on the High Council in his Vancouver, Washington stake and has previously served as an elders quorum president, Young Men president, and early-morning seminary teacher. 

Episode Highlights

(9:30) Biggest mistakes leaders make someone is called to a new position and feels lost

Micromanaging

Allowing the individual to go and flounder on their own, occasionally swooping in and then flying away again (seagull management)

(10:20) How can this be handled more effectively? How can a leader find balance somewhere between the two big mistakes?

Key is to take the time to diagnose

recognize the goals and tasks that someone might have in a particular role

what is your "development level" in each of these tasks? 

Then providing the necessary leadership to help in areas where someone may not be as strong or experienced

(11:45) Development Levels example

(15:30) Collaboration between the leader and the individual to diagnose development levels

Importance of recognizing that development levels are task-based rather than calling or position-based

(21:00) Reassessing the diagnosis beyond the initial calling (regular stewardship interviews)

(22:15) Characteristics of effective stewardship interviews

Consistency

Assessing task-based progress

(25:15) Matching leadership style to the current development level

(29:00) How can leaders make these regular stewardship interviews a priority so that progress can keep happening?

Recognize that this is when the personal interaction can happen

Making the time for them can free up time down the road

(32:00) The importance of leaders always listening

Links:

The Ken Blanchard Companies