Thoughts on Leading Change

Last night I attended the DC's chapter of Brigham Young University's Management Society dinner gala. During last the event, the group presented President Henry B. Eyring with the Distinguished Public Service Award. After receiving the award, President Eyring addressed the group. His speech was very thought provoking as he talked about leadership, specifically about what makes others have the desire to follow someone.

He gave expamples from years of observations about different type of "effective" leaders. These were not always CEOs or Presidents of organizations, but "regular" people leading groups to accomplish the tasks at hand. Some of these examples included times of great change. From my professional experience, I have observered that effective change is only actualized when there is strong visible leadership from all levels of the organization. But how does this leadership become cultivated. President Eyring suggested that motivating people to follow a leader is when mutual trust and integrity are cultivated within the group. People follow others when they trust that individual's character and integrity.

As we look to change our sphere of the world, are we effective leaders? Are we trustworthy? Do we instill our trust in others? Do we have integrity in everything we do? This is the self examination that I need to do as I look tohelp promote change and improvements in my sphere of influence. I challenge you to do the same.