How LaVell Edwards Influenced His Team to be a Team of Leaders | An Interview With Paul Gustavson
Summary: Paul Gustavson studied Organizational Behavior at Brigham Young University, where he was on Coach Lavell Edwards’ first football team at the school. Today he is president of the consulting firm <a href="http://www.organizationdesign.com/" target="_blank">Organization Planning and Design</a>. He has authored two books about team building and leadership—including one with Coach Bronco Mendenhall: <a href="http://amzn.to/2mSIJLI" target="_blank">Running into the Wind: 5 Strategies for Building a Successful Team</a>, and <a href="http://amzn.to/2mMZYwo" target="_blank">A Team of Leaders: Empowering Every Member to Take Ownership, Demonstrate Initiative, and Deliver Results</a>. After the passing of Coach Edwards last year, Paul wrote an article for the Deseret News, <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670531/3-key-leadership-qualities-LaVell-Edwards-exhibited-early-on-as-head-coach-that-could-benefit-any.html" target="_blank">“Three Key Leadership Qualities Lavell Edwards Exhibited Early On as Head Coach That Could Benefit Any Leader.”</a> He has also served as a bishop of a young single adult ward.<br> Episode Highlights<br> <br> * 5:00 His history playing football, serving a mission, and attending/working with BYU<br> * 8:36 How the article about Coach Edwards came about<br> * 9:29 Interviewed Coach Edwards about things he had witnessed as a player<br> * 10:00 Being a bishop had an enormous influence on Coach Edwards and his coaching<br> * 12:34 He was always clear about the strategy<br> * 13:45 He was a principle-based coach<br> * 15:23 Coach Bronco Mendenhall was humble and willing to learn the principles of team-building<br> * 17:00 Referred him to the article, “What is Strategy?” by Michael Porter, HBR<br> * 19:06 Choosing “team members” inside a ward<br> * 22:00 Why/how Paul got involved in team building in college<br> * 23:50 Five smooth stones: strategy, processes, design, knowledge, capturing hearts and minds<br> * 26:39 Application of these principles as a bishop<br> * 28:26 Managing by councils: Five stages<br> * 31:35 Having a framework helps<br> * 33:20 Excellence comes through performance models and repeating best practices<br> * 36:40 Steps to reach stage five in ward leadership<br> * 37:52 How it happened with home/visiting teaching<br> * 41:50 Shared stories of how they were blessed or blessed others as home/visiting teachers<br> * 43:18 Ward theme: “We care for and bless one another”; D&C 82:10<br> * 44:30 What leaders talk about is what people do<br> * 46:14 Where his books and research are available<br> * 47:38 Discipleship and team leadership: engaging people to take action and become more Christlike<br> <br> Links:<br> <a href="http://www.organizationdesign.com/" target="_blank">Organization Planning and Design</a><br> <a href="http://www.ateamofleaders.com/" target="_blank">A Team of Leaders Website</a><br> <a href="http://amzn.to/2mSIJLI" target="_blank">Running into the Wind: 5 Strategies for Building a Successful Team</a><br> <a href="http://amzn.to/2ndFDD2" target="_blank">A Team of Leaders: Empowering Every Member to Take Ownership, Demonstrate Initiative, and Deliver Results</a><br> <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670531/3-key-leadership-qualities-LaVell-Edwards-exhibited-early-on-as-head-coach-that-could-benefit-any.html" target="_blank">“Three Key Leadership Qualities Lavell Edwards Exhibited Early On as Head Coach That Could Benefit Any Leader,” Deseret News</a><br> <a href="https://hbr.org/1996/11/what-is-strategy" target="_blank">“What is Strategy?” by Michael Porter</a>, Harvard Business Review<br>
