Essential Lessons for Leaders
with Dr. Hank Smith
What kind of leader are you? The world often teaches that leadership is about power, position, and making sure people listen to you. But the Savior showed us a different way; lifting others, earning trust, and leading with love. Throughout this miniseries, Hank Smith unpacks essential lessons on how to communicate clearly, build trust, and lead with confidence—without being overbearing. Whether you’re leading at church, at work, or in your home, learning to lead the Lord’s way will help you inspire, guide, and strengthen those around you.
You can control actions, but you can’t control hearts. When people follow you because they want to, not because they have to, that’s when real leadership begins. Hank talks about the difference between moral and formal authority, and discusses how you can begin to build a more "high-trust" team starting...
Old Faithful isn’t the tallest geyser in Yellowstone, but it's one of the most famous geysers in the world because it's reliable. You don't have to be perfect, or the biggest, or even the best to make an impact. But by being predictable and consistent, you become a leader your team can count on. Hank...
Listening is more than hearing words—it’s about making someone feel seen. Hank talks about the best way to show someone you care is to actually listen to them. Truly listening—without distraction, judgment, or trying to fix—builds trust faster than any words ever could.
People don’t just follow you because they like you—they trust you because they believe you know what you’re doing. The question isn’t just, "Will they follow me?" It’s, "Do they believe in my ability to blaze the trail?" Hank shares how to build trust with your team as you demonstrate your expertise...
The best teams don’t avoid mistakes—they report them. High-performing nursing units report more errors, not because they make more, but because they feel safe admitting them. Does your team feel safe speaking up? If the answer isn’t a quick “yes,” then you have a communication problem. Fixing it starts...
If trust is the currency of leadership, then love languages are the translation key. Hank talks about how you can learn to speak to those you lead in a way they will truly hear. When you do, you'll watch your team's loyalty and motivation start to soar!
The hardest part about a blind spot is… you don’t know you have one. But everyone else does! Hank talks about the dangers of "blind spots" for leaders, and how you can develop the self-awareness to see your own faults and actually grow.
You’ve probably met leaders who are all about the rules but show little concern for the people they lead. And you’ve probably met those who care deeply about people but avoid confrontation. But the best leaders? They care and they hold people accountable. Hank discusses how wise leadership is both filled...
Great leaders (and parents) know this secret: If you want people to do better, catch them when they’re doing it right. Reinforce the good, and they’ll repeat it. Focus only on the bad, and they’ll just tune you out. Hank discusses ways to help your team grow as you recognize their strengths, not just...