5 Lessons from the Biography of Henry B. Erying

There is no better leadership training than reading about the life of great men. Recently I picked up President Henry B. Eyring's biography and was encompassed by his integrity, his spirituality, and his humility. I was a bit intimidated by the girth of the book but was soon surprised how quickly the pages turned. As I read biographies, certain details always capture my attention. Details that are worth applying to my own life as much as I can. I'd like to share a few with you. Here are 5 inspiring lessons I learned from the life of President Eyring. 1. Seek the Lord's Guidance in All Things Just like in any life, Hal Eyring had to make difficult life changing decisions. From his choice to leave a prestigious position at Stanford University and move his family to Rexburg, Idaho to preside over Ricks College, to the decision to turn down high paying secular opportunities. He seemed to always consult the Lord in detail to what he should do next. This may seem like an obvious principle we learn in primary, but to read about it over and over in his life was inspiring. It made me step back and consider the detailed decisions I am leaving out of my daily prayers. President Eyring truly followed the advice to "counsel with the Lord in all they doings." 2. Take Time to Visit Those You Lead In leadership there is nothing more powerful than a one-to-one visit. I would imagine being a college president doesn't leave much time to wander the campus looking for people to talk with--Hal Eyring made the time. After a morning of meetings and interviews in my office, I moved out into the campus to meet with people on the campus. At noon I had lunch with two faculty members and one student who came to the open meeting. Then, I spent an hour with Brother Garrett Case and his people in the bookstore. Another hour with a man who runs our post office... For the rest of the afternoon I spent much of the time crawling under, on, and over the boilers in the heating plant and the rest visiting with Brother Elmo Dial, the supervisor. It's not clear to me yet what I was to accomplish. I prayed that I might know and stayed long in each location, waiting for some direction for how I should direct the conversation. While I felt peace and reassurance in the visits and still intend to continue them, I cannot yet see the end nor exactly how to do it. But I do feel both the interest in what people do and a concern for their feelings were part of what is intended to help the people I visit. (I Will Lead You Along, p.249) Put the reports and busy work to the side and go visit your people. They will remember the visits long after they forget how well you ran a meeting. 3. Learn As a Counselor When Elder Eyring was called to the Quorum of the Twelve in 1995 he had worked closely with the majority of the other eleven apostles. Many years prior he was called as president of Ricks College by Elder Neal A. Maxwell (then Commissioner of Church Education). He had been the president of Ricks College at the same time Elder Oaks was president of Brigham Young University. He was Elder Hollands right hand man as Deputy Commissioner of Church Education. And, of course, he was first counselor to Bishop Robert D. Hales in the presiding bishopric in the late 80's. Not to mention the other casual and professional encounters he had with the other brethren. The point being, he had a front row seat to some of the greatest leaders at the time. He was able to counsel with them, observe their decision making, and be corrected by them. By the time he became President Eyring in the First Presidency he had no problem leading, and most importantly, no problem counseling. 4. How to Write a Talk The humility Bishop Eyring showed when he was first given the task to speak in General Conference was inspiring. He showed his humanness as he struggled with such assignments but was blessed time after time from the Lord with specific messages to give.