How I Lead as President of BYU-Idaho | An Interview with Elder Alvin F. Meredith III

Elder Alvin F. "Trip" Meredith III is the president of Brigham
Young University–Idaho and a General Authority Seventy of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his call as a
General Authority, President Meredith served as president of the
Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. He also served as an Area
Seventy in the North America Southeast and Asia Areas, and
previously served as a missionary in the Utah Salt Lake City
Mission, as an elders quorum president, bishop, and stake
president. President Meredith received a bachelor of science degree
in Psychology from BYU, and a master of business administration in
Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In
his professional career, he worked as a Six Sigma black belt for GE
Capital, as a consultant for Boston Consulting Group, and as a
senior vice president at Asurion in Tennessee, Hong Kong, and
Singapore. President Meredith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee,
and married Jennifer Edgin. They are the parents of six children.
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the Core Leader Library Highlights In this podcast conversation,
President Meredith shares insights on his approach to leadership,
emphasizing the importance of listening and seeking revelation. He
highlights the significance of focusing on individuals and
fostering spiritual momentum in leadership roles. The episode also
touches on the challenges and joys of working with the rising
generation, particularly in the context of YSAs. Throughout the
interview, President Meredith reflects on the lessons learned from
various leadership positions, including serving as a stake
president, mission president, and Area 70. He emphasizes the
importance of pointing individuals to the Savior, aligning with the
counsel of living prophets and apostles, and conveying the joy of
living the gospel of Jesus Christ. 3:30 President Meredith's
background and journey to becoming president of BYU-Idaho 9:50
Stepping into the role of the president of BYU-Idaho. Elder
Meredith didn’t have a background in higher education and
everything was new to him. He spent the first 100 days just
listening. 15:00 Gathering feedback by doing surveys and speaking
with different groups and counseling sessions 18:00 Facilitating a
better council dynamic 19:30 President Meredith grew up in a
part-member family in Tennessee. He served a mission in Salt Lake
City, Utah. 21:00 Being mentored by his mission president. He was a
constant example of what good leadership looked like and gave good
feedback. He led with great love and high expectations. 22:00 In
church leadership we have to be careful that we don’t become
caretakers but difference makers. 23:40 A good leader invites
people to change and stretch to reach their full potential. 23:55 A
characteristic of a good leader is divine discontent. 25:00
President Meredith's educational and professional background 25:30
Where President Meredith's leadership experience began 28:50 If
President Meredith could go back in time and council himself as a
new bishop he would tell himself to focus on the youth and focus on
individuals, not just the group. 31:40 Leadership in the Church and
in business. Moving around the world. 37:00 Top priorities of a
bishop: Wife, children, work, and church call. Family is first.
38:00 The unique experience of being a mission president in Utah.
Working with members is vital for Utah missions. 42:30 President
Eyring says that there are two things that a leader needs to have.
To be led by the spirit Charity 43:00 How do you approach the
rising generation? 46:30 Conveying that the gospel brings joy 48:30
Responsibilities as a member of seventy. Working with stake
presidencies. 54:00 Things that President Meredith learned and saw
while visiting other stakes