The meeting has past the three hour mark and the bishop and two counselors flip through the ward list for the tenth time hoping a name will jump off the page for a new assistant to the assistant primary teacher. Hopefully they will find that name soon because they have a list of three other callings that need to be filled.
If the bishopric doesn’t decide on people for callings than who will?
The Multipliers book explains an interesting principle about GETTING OUT OF THE WAY as a leader. It references an old saying in India: “Nothing grows under a banyan tree.” Life would seem ideal for the plants growing under such a tree. The shade is intense and stretches over a large area. At the same time it provides no sun for growth. Many bishops protect their auxiliary leaders in the same way. He takes on the difficult choices and circumstances so that he doesn’t risk the wrong choice being made. Unfortunately this translates to many hours in meetings making choices others are completely capable to make.
So many auxiliary leaders wait around for the three busiest people in the ward (the bishopric) to make a simple choice when they could make the decision themselves. Auxiliary leaders are chosen through the spirit, are set apart, and extremely capable, so why can’t they choose who will serve in their auxiliary?
Sister Primaryprez: But Bishop, I just don’t know enough people in the ward.
Bishop: I suggest you start shaking hands on Sunday and introducing yourself — that’s what I’ve done.
Try putting this phrase on your door like one corporate VP referenced in Multipliers: “Ignore me as needed to get your job done.” Unfortunately many auxiliary leaders need the reminder the bishop should be ignored. The more hard decisions the bishopric makes for auxiliary leaders the less likely that leader will grow and the more dependent they will be on the bishopric in the long run.