Our mission as leaders in our families and communities is to actively apply the gospel of Jesus Christ in each of our daily interactions.
Powerful leaders have often left destruction and sadness behind them in their quest for control and power. But Jesus Christ, the perfect example and leader, lifted, enlightened, and strengthened others as he served them. President Spencer W. Kimball’s article entitled “Jesus: the Perfect Leader” was published in both the Ensign and the Liahona.
President Kimball highlights each character trait of Christ that allowed the Savior to be a perfect example of leadership. He discusses Christ’s fixed principles and states that because of those doctrines, Christ was certain of who he was and what his mission was. He was also a “listening leader” and was able to have true, loving compassion for those he led. He was selfless in his leadership and always put the needs of those he led above his own. He never sought to control them. He understood the responsibility of his calling but was also able to delegate and pass his wisdom on to his Apostles, who would lead after his death. He was accountable to his Father for his work. He used his time wisely and recognized the potential not only in individuals, but also in the Church as a whole.
President Kimball says that as disciples of Christ and as members of the Church, we must seek to emulate the Savior’s example of perfect leadership in all of our actions. “Whatever the size of our present circle of effective influence,” he says, “if we were to improve our performance even a little bit, that circle would be enlarged. There are many individuals waiting to be touched and loved if we care enough to improve in our performance.”
In our families, in our schools, in our work, and in our callings, we can strive to become perfect leaders by modeling ourselves after our Savior.
Read President Kimball’s address in the Ensign or the Liahona.
Sources: Ensign and Liahona
—Camden Hardy-Harrison, Mormon Insights
Find more insights
Read The Testimony of the Apostles in “The Living Christ.”
We can reach more hearts if we emulate the Savior’s example of perfect leadership in our lives. We want to be the kind of people others can trust and depend on. The further a nation or government moves away from the principles the Savior taught, the least able they are to lead others to do and choose good. But we can be leaders ourselves and shine the light of Christ in the world.