Love, Obedience, & Hard Work | An Interview with Monte Holm

Monte Holm spent his early years working on a farm in Idaho, and at
age 17 moved himself to St. George, Utah, where he worked odd jobs
in construction, finished high school, joined the Church, and chose
to serve a two-year mission in North Carolina. Following his
mission and studying at Dixie State University, Monte co-founded
and built a successful financial services business with hundreds of
offices across North America. He has served as elders quorum
president, bishop, and stake president, and with his wife Lisa
served as leaders of the South Carolina Columbia Mission, and have
also served on corporate boards and as trustees for charitable
organizations. Monte authored the book Expect to Win and he and
Lisa are often asked to speak at conventions, universities, and at
business, church and charity events. They currently live in St.
George, Utah, and have six children and 23 grandchildren.
Highlights 02:10 Monte grew up in a fundamentalist community but
joined the Church when he was 17 years old. He talks about his
conversion story. 06:50 He served a mission at age 19 and was
called to North Carolina. He later served as mission president in
South Carolina. 08:10 After getting home from his mission he was
mentored by a man that he met on the mission in the financial
services industry. 09:30 Monte talks about his first leadership
experiences in the Church shortly after joining. His Bishop gave
him a calling right away and has been one of the most influential
people in his life. 12:00 Monte has had the opportunity to serve as
an elders quorum president, bishop, and stake president. One of the
things that he learned about the most is love. When it’s about the
people you serve and not about you, you lose yourself in their
lives and not your own. 13:30 Examples of showing love 17:45
Transitioning from being a bishop to stake president. One thing
that he learned and that he really felt in this transition was that
duty is more important than pleasure. 21:40 Monte served as stake
president for seven years due to moving out of the area. He felt
like it was his duty to stay for the nine years but had a very
instructional calling with a general authority. The Lord has also
prepared others to take our place. It’s okay to have changes. 26:50
Transitioning out of being a stake president. 28:30 Monte was
called to be a mission president before he was a bishop and stake
president. He tells the story of getting called by Elder Holland.
31:00 How being a mission president before being a stake president
impacted how he served as a stake president. 33:15 How he handled
meetings with young people that were preparing for a mission.
Things he did to make sure they were prepared. 35:50 Starting out
as mission president in South Carolina. Monte talks about the
process of getting prepared and trained beforehand. 38:10 Casting a
vision on his mission and missionaries. Aligning your vision with
the Lord and the first presidency. 43:40 Reflections on being a
mission president for three years in South Carolina. Things that he
taught his missionaries. Setting culture through mottos and
sayings. 50:00 There are really only two things that inspire
people: things that they see and things that they hear. When people
see you and hear you being a great leader they will be inspired to
do the same. 51:30 Monte’s final thoughts on leadership Links Read
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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.