From Leading Marines to Leading Saints | A How I Lead Interview with Bart Sloat

Barton Stuart Sloat was born in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, the youngest
of four children. He attended BYU before serving a mission in the
Nevada Las Vegas Mission, and later attended the University of
Utah, graduating in Political Science and receiving a commission as
a 2d Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He served as an Infantry
Officer and commanded at the platoon, company, battalion and
regimental level. He also served in numerous staff positions,
including the faculty at the Marine Corps University in Quantico,
Virginia, and on several combat tours of duty in Iraq and
Afghanistan. He retired as a Colonel with 32 years of active duty
in 2012. Bart’s church service has included serving as a counselor
in four bishoprics, a member of the high council, and in numerous
teaching callings. He served as bishop and then stake president,
and he and his wife, Anne, have been called to serve as mission
leaders in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission beginning in July of 2022.
The Sloats have five children and 19+ grandchildren. Highlights
01:15 Introduction to Bart Sloat and his leadership background
10:15 Bart describes the process of becoming a better leader in the
military 14:00 Bart talks about what he learned from his leaders
and mentors 15:00 The people that you are leading only care about
four things. If you do those four things they will follow you
anywhere. They have to know that you REALLY care about them Really
care about their family That you are fair That you are consistent
16:00 God very rarely tells us why when he gives us a commandment.
When people trust you as a leader they won’t need to ask you why.
17:00 Bart’s leadership experience in the church 18:15 Impactful
moments from Bart’s Marine Corp experience 23:40 Stimulus vs.
response 25:30 Transitioning from a military leader to a new Bishop
30:30 The Bishop’s focus should be on the youth. Help the ward
understand this and consistently talk about it. 32:30 What Bart
learned as a Bishop. People confuse God’s love and God’s approval.
Help people understand that the commandments were given for our
benefit. 35:30 Transitioning from being a Bishop to a Stake
President and what he learned in the process 37:30 We should first
be converted to the Lord and then the Church. Baptism is for the
remission of sins not membership in the church and same with the
sacrament. 46:30 Thoughts on becoming a Mission President. His main
goal is to help each missionary feel the love of God, find success,
and keep them there. 47:25 Bart’s learning experience being a Stake
President and dealing with missionaries 50:40 Truly caring about
people is the most important thing to do as a leader Links Read the
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