Written for an assignment for Walden University MBA Program, June 22, 2014
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In thinking of someone who has inspired innovation, I think
constantly of the life of Gordon B. Hinckley. Living to the age of 97, his life
was a constant merger of history and global expansion. Holding many offices
within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until ultimately leading
it as its president and prophet from 1995 – 2008, one can see a constant infusion
of understanding a beloved history and incorporating new and expanding ideas to
affect a global initiative.
As
I look at some of the characteristics that make an innovative leader, and
utilizing the self-assessment of what makes a creative and innovative leader, I
have identified five that are needed, and Gordon B. Hinckley has exemplified
and led by these same characteristics. They are as follows: Discipline, Hope and Optimism, Knowledge, Global
Thinking, and Empowerment. These
are important principles, and ones that I would also like to implement in my
professional career.
The
ways in which He exemplifies these characteristics are numerous yet a few
examples will suffice to exemplify the ways in which he incorporates these
principles in his ministry. In his initial address as the President of the
church, he highlighted his overarching theme with these words: “The time has
come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to
a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of
this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (Hinckley, 2005, May).
This message brings together all five of the characteristics before mentioned.
In addition, he teaches and exemplifies all of them individually.
Discipline:
To
various congregations, he has continually taught the principle of discipline. In
speaking to the youth of the church, especially regarding moral obligations and
temptations, he counseled “Discipline yourselves” (Hinckley, 1996 May). To
Fathers, husbands, and heads of households, regarding the management of
finances and fiscal responsibility, his counsel is again “Discipline yourselves”
(Hinckley, 2002, November). In an address to
women, he offers counsel to those around them and how they should be treated.
In speaking against anger and violence, his counsel is once again specific and
directed: “Discipline Yourselves” (Hinckley, 1996 November).
Throughout
his ministry, he has persistently taught and lived a life of discipline. Discipline
is necessary as a principle of growth. This he knew, and this he taught and
constantly sought for those whom he addressed to utilize it as well as a source
for growth. He mentions this again in an address to the young women of the
church, but the counsel is instructive worldwide. He speaks of discipline again,
and the importance of it in making decisions throughout our lives (2001, May).
Hope and Optimism:
This
is a primary motivator for innovation and growth, for without it, people can
become unmotivated, disinterested, or discouraged. To help individuals become a
better individual, which will then strengthen the organization, President
Hinckley offers the following counsel: “I have a strong, uplifting sense of optimism
concerning this work. I have lived long enough now to have seen the miracle of
its growth. Mine has been the favored lot of assisting in its establishment
across much of the world. Everywhere it is growing stronger. Everywhere it is
touching an increasing number of lives for good” (Hinckley,
1995a, November). This message is infused with hope and optimism. He is
inspiring many of a worldwide organization to know that optimism is needed for
growth.
Knowledge:
The
prior message also contains one of the most inspiring aspects of his ministry
to me, and how I see growth and innovation of an organization. Throughout his
live, he worked for the church, loved the history of church and visiting its
members throughout the world. When I think about the struggles that an
organization goes through, I think that one of the major ones is that they can
focus too much on the past. They don’t see new ideas because the old ones work
well enough, or they see new ideas as somehow upsetting the status quo of the
organization. This is not so with Gordon B. Hinckley. He sees the history of
the church as a keystone of the organization and an absolute necessity;
however, he also sees the ability of true growth that can only come from
building and knowing that we are also living in that same history. In a
particular address, he discussed the history of the church, discussing the
primary historical event of any Christian organization as the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ, and continues discussing major events of Christian
significance as well as through the specific history of the organization. Rather
than resting on the laurels of a successful organization, he continues to
inspire growth by mentioning that we must understand our unique place in the history
of the organization. He then invites us to move forward “on an continuing path
of growth and progress and enlargement, touching for good the lives of people
everywhere…” (Hinckley, 1999, November). He closes with another invitation to
action “May God bless us with a sense of our place in history and, having
been given that sense, with our need to stand tall and walk with resolution in
a manner becoming the Saints of the Most High” (Ibid).
From
an organizational standpoint, I find this characteristic unique and essential.
When an organization can infuse within its members a desire to be a part of the
history instead of just constantly drawing from the history itself, it can provide
a catalyst for growth and innovation.
Global Thinking
Gordon
B. Hinckley has been focusing on Global Thinking since at least 1954 when the
current president of the church discussed with him the challenges of how to
take a church that was primarily based in the continental U.S. for the past 100
years and expand it into the full intent of the message of Jesus Christ who had
taught that the Gospel was to be taken to the entire world. There had been
missionaries sent to many nations at that point, but establishing
congregations, buildings, and temples to every nation is another story.
Language barriers, logistics, cultural distinctions, and a number of hurdles
would lay in the path of global growth. Early in his Ministry, in 1954, he was
asked to find a way to build a temple in Switzerland. This helped establish
a love for growth
throughout the world. When his ministry as president started
in 1995, there were 47 temples. Ten years later, in an address to discuss the growth
of the church in that ten year period, he mentioned that there were 119 with
three more under construction (2005, November). There were many other
indicators, but that one was significant when one recognizes the significant
challenges that come with global growth.
Empowerment
Gordon
B. Hinckley has taught me a lot, but one of the most significant things I have
learned while studying for my MBA and the need for spiritual principles in a
professional environment, is how key the role of a prophet is. A prophet, whether
as taught in the Hebrew scriptures, the ministry of Christ and his apostles, or
in modern day Christian leadership, is an individual who exemplifies both a follower
and a leader. He exemplifies how important it is to understand what is going on
in the organization (as it were) of those above him, and then must also
express, testify, and witness to those who belong to the organization, and look
to him as a leader. There are many examples of women in roles of leadership as
well, although time does not permit me to explain the great impact their role
can be in this model. Suffice it to say, anyone who is a spiritual leader
provides an amazing example of one who both listens to those above, and who can
also take that authority and bring it to those below.
Empowerment
is one of the biggest principles that I wish to exemplify, and I have been grateful
to see spiritual leaders in the new light of empowerment. When it comes to
innovation, it is also important to have an empowered executive. Having authority
given from one higher, it gives one a sense of ownership, which is principle
necessary for the ambidextrous CEO (Tushman,
et al, 2011, June).
Personal Assessment
As
mentioned before, these five principles are ones which I have seen emulated and
in which I hope to incorporate in my own life. The ways in which I could adapt
these into my life can be seen through the creativity skills mentioned in the Innovators DNA (Dyer, et al, 2009).
Associating: This skill, which involves putting together
questions that are seemingly unrelated and honing them into a collaborative
idea. I feel that I am working well to maintain and magnify this skill. I love
to be a lifelong learner, and feel that having this skill is absolutely
essential to innovation. This skill would help me in my desire to exemplify global
thinking. As discussed by Bordas (2007), when we start to think about global
leadership, it is important to see leadership as not solely in the realm of
modern, European style leadership, but to use models based on the cultures of
other organizations. Specifically, Spirit, Soul, and Salsa, which exemplify
Native American, African, and Latin modes of leadership could then be seen as
effective leader models. Recognizing new models of leadership can help better
associate global thinking
Questioning: If there can be
anything closely associated with Knowledge, it is questioning. To better
receive the principle of knowledge, there must be good questions. This doesn’t have
to mean question everything always, but bringing up the what’s and the why’s
and so forth— Questions with real intent. This is closely related to the above
principle, but has a specific guide to the questions. Where associating is more related to
connecting ideas, problems, and questions through correlating new concepts, Questioning helps move the process of
problem-solving along.
Experimenting: In discussing Experimenting, this seems to also
relate to adapting a Global Thinking atmosphere.
Living overseas can provide a good
outlook for a global perspective (P. 6) and I have seen that to be true in the
life of President Hinckley as well. He travelled frequently to the far areas of
the world, including Asia, Vietnam,
Europe, Africa, and many other areas. It is
helpful to see a leader not just speaking from ‘the corporate office’ but to be
out and about among the people and cultures where expansion hopes to occur. Experimenting
also highlights the principle of Hope and
Optimism. Through the process of experimenting, failure will inevitably
come, yet hope is what encourages us to say “let’s try again”.
Observing: Leaders are not born, they are made. This argument
has been going on for quite some time, but I must side with this version. Leaders
are made through discipline and observation. As I look at leaders like
Gordon B. Hinckley, I see in him a passion for observance. He mentions in one address, discussing the leaders who
help shape others, including himself: “To my mind there is something
tremendously reassuring in knowing that for the foreseeable future we shall
have a President who has been disciplined and schooled, tried and tested, whose
fidelity to the work and whose integrity in the cause have been tempered in the
forge of service, whose faith has matured, and whose nearness to God has been
cultivated over a period of many years” (1983, May). Interestingly, he also
mentions in that same address that we do not need the traditional version of
innovation all of the time, but rather devotion. Can we not see this in the
exercise of a disciplined executive? Observation of key dedicated people,
processes, and principles can in its own way produce innovation, but not in the
traditional way, but one that is tempered through Discipline.
Networking and Collaboration: Taking another point from the leadership of President
Hinckley, he mentions his depth of gratitude in spending time with the General Authorities (Worldwide
leadership of the church, or ‘Executive Level’ in organizational terms). He
mentions the unity that can come from Collaboration
and Networking: “The General
Authorities are all individuals, each with his own personality. Each brings to
his responsibilities a wide variety of experience and background. When matters
come up for discussion in the leading councils of the Church, each is free to
express his views. As one observes that interesting process at work, it is
fascinating to witness the power of the Holy Spirit influence these men.
Initial differences never sharp but nonetheless perceptible soften and meld
into an expression of unity. ‘My house is a house of order,’ said the Lord.
(See D&C
132:8.) In witnessing this process at work, I experience a constant renewal
of faith” (1983, May). I would like to approach this skill more frequently, and
as a lifelong learner, can certainly see it as a way to think more globally.
Cultivating New Thinking: Utilizing
this skill can broach a number of the desired principles mentioned above.
Global thinking may be the primary one that comes to mind, but a disciplined
mind must often come from cultivating a new way of thinking. An indecisive individual
must certainly adopt this in order to become more empowered, and hope is not
easily obtained to those who have lost trust, or been trained in a toxic
environment.
Comfort with Change: Discipline
may seem to be an unforgiving, defensive mentality, but when seen through the
eye of this skill, it recognizes one of the untapped recognitions of
discipline. Being able to adapt to new experiences comes from those who can
react to them and who have experienced and overcome them previously.
Risk Tolerance: Of
the five Creativity elements mentioned at the beginning of the article, the one
that involves the most risk and tolerance, as well as both together is Hope and Optimism. There have been many
who have been burdened with doubt, fear, distrust, or other negative aspects in
their life in which Hope is closer to
hopeless and Optimism is downgraded
to Apathetic. I have always attempted to have optimism in my life, and have
often been told that I am too much so, but I believe that I have experienced a
great deal of new experiences through Optimism, in part because it turns a
blind eye to risk. I have had jobs doing a number of things that are not in the
normal realm of job skills because of this, including welding, being a
professional mascot, and various construction jobs that have taught me a lot.
Risk is a real principle, but fear can be overcome through power, love, and a
sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). This, to me, is the definition of Optimism, and can
help avert fear, which is the primary derivative of Risk.
I am grateful for leaders in my life whom I can observe,
learn discipline from, and gain optimism from as well. President Gordon B.
Hinckley has provided me with not only reasons for being a stronger person, but
solutions on how to do so as well.
References
Bordas, J. (2007). How salsa, soul, and spirit
strengthen leadership. Leader To Leader, 2007(46), 35-41.
Dyer, J. H., Gregersen, H. B., & Christensen, C. M.
(2009). The innovator's DNA. Harvard Business Review, 87(12), 60–67. Retrieved
from https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/web/pl/product.seam?c=20331266&i=20331395&cs=246c1fd2ba1c8b324a7d7c2afdf6ffe4
Hinckley, G.B. (1983,
May) He slumbers not, nor sleeps. Ensign.
Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/ensign/1983/05/he-slumbers-not-nor-sleeps?lang=eng
Hinckley, G. B. (1995,
May). This is the work of the Master, Ensign.
Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/05/this-is-the-work-of-the-master?lang=eng
Hinckley, G.B. (1995a,
November). Stay the course – Keep the faith, Ensign. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/11/stay-the-course-keep-the-faith?lang=eng
Hinckley, G.B. (1995b,
November). Of Missions, Temples,
and Stewardship, Ensign. Retrieved
from https://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/11/of-missions-temples-and-stewardship?lang=eng
Hinckley, G.B. (1996, May).
Stand true and Faithful, Ensign. Retrieved
from https://www.lds.org/ensign/1996/05/stand-true-and-faithful?lang=eng
Hinckley, G.B. (1996,
November). To the Women of the Church, Ensign.
Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/ensign/1996/11/women-of-the-church?lang=eng
Hinckley, G.B. (1999, November) At the Summit of the Ages, Ensign. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/ensign/1999/11/at-the-summit-of-the-ages?lang=eng
Hinckley, G.B. (2001,
May). How can I become the Women of whom I dream? Ensign. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/ensign/2001/05/how-can-i-become-the-woman-of-whom-i-dream?lang=eng
Hinckley, G.B. (2002,
November). To Men of the Priesthood, Ensign.
Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/ensign/2002/11/to-men-of-the-priesthood?lang=eng
Hinckley, G.B. (2005,
November). Opening remarks, Ensign. Retrieved
from https://www.lds.org/ensign/2005/05/opening-remarks?lang=eng
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