Being a Busy Latter-day Saint Leader | An Interview with Jeanette Bennett

Jeanette Bennett is a mother of five, magazine publisher, cancer
survivor, current Relief Society president, and former ward and
stake Young Women president. She is a frequent emcee, moderator,
and speaker along the Wasatch Front. Jeanette was named Top
Entrepreneur in Media in 2018, along with Martha Stewart. She sits
on the Board of Trustees for Utah Valley University, Thanksgiving
Point, and United Way. Jeanette loves coming up with themes for
girls camp but can't cook or tie cute ribbons. Highlights 02:30
Introduction to Jeanette Bennett 04:55 Jeanette explains why she
and her husband started the Utah Valley magazine and their mission
to contribute to the community. 7:30 The power of telling people’s
stories in the community. Communicating helps create community.
9:40 Jeanette’s tips and advice to the newsletter specialist or
someone that is trying to stimulate community in their ward Make it
about people Make it fun. Add humor. Highlight different people and
things happening in the ward 12:00 How does ward culture and
personality get formed? It’s important to know that one person can
impact the culture of the ward even without a title or calling.
13:00 Jeanette’s leadership style Acknowledge people one by one.
Remember their names and their kids’ names. Remember things about
them or significant things in their lives. Creative leadership.
Having themes, colors, and ideas. 14:00 Being a busy Latter-day
Saint and juggling all the things. Having faith to say yes to
opportunities. 17:00 Saying no to things. Being intentional with
your time. What things do and don’t bear fruit in your life? 21:00
Jeanette’s advice to mothers of young children that want to have an
impact but are also balancing the dynamic of work, callings, and
kids. 26:00 God is a God of miracles. Our faith to say yes and keep
trying brings miracles. Give what you have and witness the miracle.
29:40 The temptation for perfection. Getting things done is better
than having things perfect. 33:00 Delegation isn’t always the
answer to every busy person’s problems. As a leader, you also have
to take ownership and be the one to create the vision and
framework. You can’t delegate that. 36:45 Leadership as a young
women’s president 40:00 Girls camp tips. There are lots of great
ideas out there but every brainstorming session needs to start on
your knees. Your girls' needs are going to be different from other
wards. Connect to heaven first instead of copying and pasting what
other wards are doing. 44:00 Helpful ways to communicate with those
in your organization. Use all your avenues. 45:30 When Jeanette
started her calling as Relief Society president she sent out a
survey to help her understand the needs and wants of her Relief
Society. 50:20 Engaging with the people that are not so engaged in
the ward. Suspend all judgment and understand where they are at.
They have their reasons and if they don’t show up that's ok. 54:30
Things that Jeanette really felt that she needed to do when she
started as Relief Society president. Help the women document their
spiritual experiences To get a pink golf cart. She goes to visit
people on it and has them jump on. Links Utah Valley Magazine
BusinessQ Magazine Utah Valley Bride Read the TRANSCRIPT of this
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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,