Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. Ryan is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership and The Elevated Leader: Leveling Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development. He is also a leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton.

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Ryan’s articles at leadingsaints.org

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In this engaging discussion on effective church leadership, Ryan shares his extensive experience in leadership research and consulting, highlighting the varying levels of leadership sophistication he encounters in organizations. He categorizes leaders into three levels: those focused on safety and belonging, those striving for advancement, and the most elevated leaders who prioritize contribution and value creation.

Ryan discusses the significance of establishing a clear, inspirational, and stakeholder-centric purpose within church organizations, drawing parallels to successful leaders in the corporate world. He emphasizes that a well-defined purpose can help shift focus from individual concerns to a collective mission, fostering a more engaged and vibrant community. The conversation also touches on the importance of mission and vision statements, as well as the need for clear values that guide behavior in challenging situations. Ryan suggests that church leaders should conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify key groups impacted by their leadership and to ensure that their efforts create meaningful value for these stakeholders.

Kurt and Ryan delve into the complexities of administering temple recommends, exploring the balance between behavior-focused and grace-centered discipleship. They consider the implications of current temple recommend questions and how they may inadvertently create a caste system within the church. The episode concludes with a thought-provoking examination of how church culture can either uplift or alienate members, emphasizing the need for leaders to cultivate an environment where all feel valued and included. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights for church leaders seeking to enhance their effectiveness and foster a more inclusive and purpose-driven community.

01:48 – Welcoming Ryan Gottfredson Back to the Podcast

02:30 – Discussion on Leadership Challenges in Church Settings

03:34 – Introduction to Leadership Concepts and Themes

05:15 – Ryan’s Background and Current Roles

06:14 – Consulting Relationships and Leadership Development

08:08 – Common Issues in Organizations

09:12 – Levels of Leadership Sophistication

11:09 – The Importance of Cultivating Leadership Environments

12:07 – The Role of Character Development in Leadership

13:40 – The Balance Between Behavior and Grace in Discipleship

16:16 – Temple Recommend Questions and Their Implications

20:08 – The Concept of a Caste System in Church Leadership

22:38 – The Challenge of Creating Inclusive Church Communities

23:01 – Indicators of Effective Leadership in Organizations

24:05 – The Importance of Purpose in Leadership

27:28 – Engaging Stakeholders in Leadership

30:06 – The Role of Mission and Vision in Leadership

32:08 – Stakeholder Analysis for Effective Leadership

34:02 – Distinction Between Church and Gospel Engagement

36:05 – The Need for Value Creation in Church Settings

37:09 – Establishing Clear Values in Leadership

40:06 – Dilemma-Resolving Values in Church Leadership

The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.

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