Leadership

Neil A. Maxwell
Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

There are too many tacit, silent deals in which one person agrees not to demand full measure if the other person will agree to mediocrity when excellence may be possible. The unwillingness of most leaders to set standards, to administer feedback when standards are not met, to praise clearly when standards are met, stands in the way of the development of excellence. The leader who makes no demands of his disciples cannot really lead them at all. The sense of new excitement and new challenge generated by the gospel will be blunted by leaders who shield followers from the full demands of followership.
BYU Second Stake Melchizedek Priesthood Recharge Sept. 19,1992