In one way or another, we are all leaders—and we likely want to be better ones. A story from the life of President Dallin H. Oaks can show us a simple way how.
Making Time for Callie
In a Brigham Young University devotional, Elder Steven D. Shumway recently spoke about a tender experience his family had with President Oaks. When Elder Shumway and his wife, Heidi, were called to be mission leaders, they met with President Oaks. Elder Shumway expressed his concern over how their service might impact their oldest daughter, Callie, who would be a senior in high school.
“I understand,” President Oaks replied. “I’d like to visit with her.”
“We were stunned,” Elder Shumway says. “With President Oaks’s busy schedule, how would he ever manage this?”
But the Church leader made the time for a meeting with the Shumways and two of their daughters. Elder Shumway shared what happened:
“In the meeting, President Oaks again asked us to share our feelings. Heidi and I went first, followed by our younger daughter, Sophie.
“Then President Oaks turned to Callie, and she began to cry. It was difficult for her to say anything.
“President Oaks lovingly said: ‘Oh, sweet Callie, I have all the time in the world for you. When you are ready, we can chat.’
“Then he patiently waited and kindly listened to Callie.
“Did President Oaks have all the time in the world? No! And yet he took time to love and minister to the one.”
Callie later joined her parents in the mission field, and Elder Shumway says she had a “life-changing experience.”
How We Can Be More Christlike Leaders
While President Oaks likely had a full calendar, he seemed to know how to manage his time to minister to the one. Elder Shumway asked President Oaks how he knows what matters most among the many important things he does each day:
“He replied that the first thing he does each day is offer prayer expressing his foremost desire to know and do God’s will. He then goes on a walk; he ponders what the Lord would have him do. He returns to pray again for confirmation of his thoughts and for further direction in dividing the light from the darkness in that day’s decisions and endeavors.”
Going for a walk each morning may not be feasible for all of us. But seeking the Lord’s guidance is something we all can do. And with His help, we can lead with more focus on the things that matter most.
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