Earning the Chance to Influence Your Quorum | An Interview with Gary Laney

Gary C. Laney is CEO of Success Masters, #1 bestselling author, former high-tech software executive, former co-Founder and CEO of Trustegrity, a startup investor, and a serial entrepreneur for 20 businesses. Gary has been recognized as a top presenter, motivating tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, professionals, and salespeople. Prior to his entrepreneurial run, Gary spent 25 years as an executive in corporate high-tech and commercial publishing, including for a public company where he was VP of Sales and one of four members that made up the office of the president. He is known for his ability to turn around sales organizations, struggling businesses, and create dramatic revenue growth. Gary has a triple major MBA from Northwestern Kellogg in finance, marketing, and policy. He served a mission in Seville, Spain, and is the author of The Power of Strategic Influence! 10 Success Factors of Highly Influential Leaders.

Highlights

01:45 Kurt introduces Gary and his professional background

03:10 Early on in his career, Gary has received mentorship from some very influential people, such as Steven Covey and President Monson.

06:00 The impact of Steven Covey

07:00 Principles that Gary learned from Steven Covey and President Monson

09:10 Begin with the end in mind. Sticking to tasks and finishing them.

11:00 Gary talks about his book, The Power of Strategic Influence. It’s about helping people solve problems and maximizing your potential as a person.

15:00 In callings in the Church we need to start by thinking of what we want the end result to be. The principle of beginning with the end in mind.

19:45 Influence takes work to really earn it. The title of influence cannot be self proclaimed. The same goes for the title of leader or bishop. It’s bestowed on you by the people.

21:30 If you want to have influence then give first.

23:40 How do we find balance in giving? Gary shares a story from his mission. They focused first on making people’s day better instead of only focusing on a lesson or people joining the church.

27:00 Servant leadership. A true leader is someone that is barely noticed. There is a lot of ego in leadership and we want to be noticed. We have to be ok with not being recognized for our work.

29:30 Gary shares an experience from his mission in Spain. Not pushing someone into baptism but holding space for them until they were truly ready.

34:00 Gary’s six spheres

• Sphere 1 – Perspective – Counting the costs up front, committing, and not looking back
• Sphere 2 – Accountability – People trust you
• Sphere 3 – Relationships – People trust and want to follow you
• Sphere 4 – Become a leader – You accept the role
• Sphere 5 – Opportunity to influence people
• Sphere 6 – Give back – Not just physical things but consoling, listening, and loving others

37:15 The two successful factors of accountability are 1. Accepting personal responsibility. 2. To become responsible and self reliant.

41:30 How to help with apathy and stimulate accountability in an elders quorum

46:30 Gary talks about the new book he is working on.

51:50 What Gary has learned from being a leader

Links

The Power of Strategic Influence! 10 Success Factors of Highly Influential Leaders
GaryCLaney.com
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The 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, 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, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.

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