Offering Love & Acceptance to All | A How I Lead Interview with Dave Olsen

Dave Olsen is a husband, father, business owner, and mountain
biker. He grew up in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, and married his
high school sweetheart, Jacki, soon after his mission to Melbourne,
Australia. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a
masters in Information Systems, and from University of Virginia
with a masters in Accounting. Dave has spent 18 years mostly in
youth-focused callings including Young Men president twice,
bishopric counselor twice, and recently released as bishop of his
ward in South Jordan, Utah. He was thrown into the leadership deep
end late in 2017 when he began leadership training through the
coaching firm Ontocore and soon after that co-founded a business
and was extended the bishop calling on the same day. His business,
Nimbl, provides accounting outsourcing services. Highlights 03:00
Introduction to Dave and his experience as a bishop 05:10 Story of
getting called as bishop. Demographics of his ward. 07:50 Starting
out as a bishop and what Dave really tried to focus on 10:50 In
Utah, there are so many people with experience in church
leadership. It’s hard to make sure that everyone gets the
opportunity to serve when there are only so many callings. 13:40
Principle 1 - Leadership is creating an intentional future that is
different from what it would have otherwise been. 15:30 Real life
examples of having a vision and leading others to that vision 19:30
Real life examples of creating love and acceptance in the ward and
community, especially when it comes to same sex attraction 26:30
What are you doing now to establish a relationship with people in
your neighborhood? If you already have a relationship with them
then when it comes time to invite them to a temple open house or
activity then it won’t be awkward. 28:40 Principle two - One of a
leader's most important roles is creating leaders around them.
33:55 Look for opportunities to help the youth lead. They are the
future of leadership. 35:10 Principle three - Love is giving people
space to show up like they’re perfect, as they are. 38:00 Love and
accept first. Then you can take time to teach and figure out how to
improve. 41:50 How being a leader has brought Dave closer to Jesus
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