Leading Saints Podcast

For over thirty years, Shawn D. Moon has worked with global clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to government organizations. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Zerorez. Previously, Shawn was an Executive Vice President at FranklinCovey, a former principal at Mellon Financial Corporation, and was named a 2024 finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

A Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Shawn has published books in multiple languages and frequently speaks to senior leadership audiences globally. His most current book is Roots, Relationships, and Results. He serves on multiple boards, is actively engaged in his community, and currently serves as a married adult stake president in Provo, Utah. Shawn and his wife, Michele, reside in Lindon, Utah, and have four children and 11 grandchildren.



Links

Roots, Relationships, and Results

What the Scriptures Say About Leadership | An Interview with Shawn Moon

Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community

Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

This discussion covers foundational leadership attributes compiled from over one hundred interviews with global leaders across various industries. The conversation focuses on intentional personal development, effective relational dynamics, and achieving meaningful outcomes in family and church callings.

00:03:12 – Sean’s Leadership Background

00:05:00 – Unique Stake Presidency Experience

00:05:57 – Genesis of the New Book

00:08:06 – The Concept of the Last Leadership Lecture

00:12:49 – Interviewing Leaders for Insights

00:14:40 – Themes Emerging from Interviews

00:16:14 – The Importance of Personal Leadership

00:19:05 – Leading Without a Formal Title

00:21:19 – The Power of Gratitude in Leadership

00:29:15 – Practicing Gratitude as a Skill

00:32:05 – The Work That Matters

00:35:10 – Trusting Leadership: Extending Trust

00:40:59 – The Impact of Believing in Others

00:43:24 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Key Insights

The Leadership Arc: True leadership functions across three integrated categories: establishing internal roots of personal leadership, building deep relational trust, and executing to achieve sustainable results.

Leading Without a Title: Formal authority is not a prerequisite for impact; some of the most profound leadership occurs when individuals step forward to influence and lift others without holding an official calling or position.

Emotional Regulation: Effective leaders act as thermostats rather than thermometers. They actively set the emotional temperature and bring stability to a room during high-stress situations instead of merely reacting to the environment.

Gratitude as a Multiplier: Practicing deliberate gratitude serves as a cognitive interrupter that shifts a leader’s mindset from defensive, reactionary conflict to collaborative, executive problem-solving.

Extending Trust: While being trustworthy is a basic requirement, exceptional leadership requires actively extending trust to others, which fosters their potential and builds long-term confidence.

Intentional Time Investment: Human life consists of a finite number of seconds. Leaders must prioritize their weekly focus around essential tasks and specific individuals to build deep, lasting connections.

Leadership Applications

Implementing the 5×4 Method: Latter-day Saint leaders can organize their weekly schedules by identifying five critical objectives and four specific people to intentionally reach out to and lift up.

Expressing Written Appreciation: Ward and stake leaders can cultivate a supportive culture by sending regular, handwritten notes of gratitude to members, validating their voluntary service and building deep organizational trust.

The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. 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, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, 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, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.

Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

In this “Zion Lab Live” episode, Kurt Francom facilitates a live community discussion analyzing recent topics in Zion Lab. The conversation focuses on improving the Sunday meeting experience, addressing the unique cultural and social needs of men in the church, and managing the mental capacity of local leaders.



Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community

Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

Key Insights

US Constitution Fifth Sunday Lessons: Community feedback regarding the church-mandated Fifth Sunday lessons was generally positive, highlighting a respectful, non-political tone and a spiritual framing of the topic. However, participants noted areas for logistical improvement, such as better structured small-group discussions for youth.

The Masculine Experience in Church: There is a perceived gap in curated institutional resources and dedicated advisory councils on the church level specifically tailored to adult men, unlike other church demographics.

Fostering Connection for Men: Men naturally connect “shoulder-to-shoulder” through shared physical activities, service, and adventure rather than traditional face-to-face chat formats. Utilizing creative layouts, interactive exercises, or specific musical numbers can drastically improve engagement.

Impact of Local Leadership: While institutional resources are helpful, local leadership ultimately has the greatest impact on an individual’s everyday church experience and ward culture.

Mental Capacity and Burnout: Serving in high-demand callings creates a significant emotional and mental load. Leaders often mistakenly take on individual responsibilities that belong to others, which risks burning out active members and themselves.

Leadership Applications

Adapt the Second Hour: Elders Quorum presidencies can pivot away from dry lectures by arranging room seating dynamically (e.g., pulling out tables, utilizing outdoor spaces, or splitting into smaller circles) to prompt natural connection.

Establish Call Limits: Bishops and Relief Society presidents can manage emotional fatigue by implementing clear structural boundaries—such as processing welfare and check requests only on Sundays—instead of allowing everyday crises to overlap into family time.

Empower Through Accountability: Rather than acting as a “black hole of need” by driving around to manage every logistical demand for struggling members, leaders should focus on helping individuals build personal testimonies so they find motivation to step up independently.

00:04:10 – Leaked Meetinghouse Blueprints and the Chapel Lectern

00:05:42 – Reviewing Fifth Sunday Lessons on the US Constitution

00:07:54 – Examining Men’s Institutional Resources and the Advisory Council Gap

00:12:35 – Cultural Dynamics and How Men Build Peer Connections

00:24:14 – Practical Tips for Building Better Elders Quorum Lessons

00:28:54 – Reimaging Second-Hour Formats, Small Groups, and Music

00:39:43 – Managing the Mental Load and Burnout in Local Ward Leadership

00:43:32 – Handling Inner-City Ward Welfare Dynamics and Establishing Boundaries

The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. 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, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, 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, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.

Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Aaron Hale is an educational leader and entrepreneur originally from Arizona, where he raised his family before transitioning to his current role as the president of Southern Virginia University (SVU). He holds an MBA and co-founded Legacy Traditional School, growing it from a single campus of 400 children to a massive organization spanning 30 campuses serving nearly 30,000 students, alongside a back-office support network assisting hundreds of other charter schools nationwide.

Aaron has served as a bishop and a counselor in a stake presidency. Drawing on his deep background in both corporate education and ecclesiastical council settings, Aaron brings a collaborative, vision-driven leadership style to SVU, where he has championed innovative academic initiatives like the Knight’s Crest experiential learning program.



Links

Southern Virginia University’s Knight’s Crest Program

Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community

Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

In this podcast, Aaron discusses leadership principles alongside the unique offerings and mission of SVU, highlighting their commitment to Latter-day Saint values while providing a personalized educational experience.

Key Insights

SVU’s Mission: Southern Virginia University aims to provide a high-quality education aligned with Latter-day Saint values, fostering an environment where students can discern truth and choose Christ.

Knight’s Crest Program: This innovative program awards college credit to return missionaries for their service, recognizing the leadership and skills developed during their missions, which can significantly reduce the time and cost of obtaining a degree.

Personalized Education: With a smaller student body, SVU offers intimate class sizes and strong relationships between students and professors, enhancing academic support and graduate school placement rates.

Community and Faith: Approximately 85% of SVU’s students are members of the Church, creating a faith-based community that encourages spiritual growth alongside academic pursuits.

Leadership Philosophy: Aaron emphasizes the importance of clarity in organizational mission and the need for open dialogue in leadership meetings to foster collaboration and innovation.

Leadership Applications

Establishing a Clear Mission: Latter-day Saint leaders can benefit from defining a clear mission for their organizations or wards, ensuring that all activities align with this guiding principle.

Encouraging Open Dialogue: Leaders should create an environment where all voices are heard, encouraging discussion and debate to draw out diverse perspectives and ideas, which can lead to better decision-making.

Recognizing Contributions: By acknowledging the unique experiences and skills of individuals, such as returned missionaries, leaders can create programs that leverage these strengths, enhancing the overall effectiveness of their organizations.

00:04:08 – Aaron’s Background and Move to Virginia

00:04:57 – Transition from Bonnie Cordon to Aaron Hale

00:05:07 – How the Opportunity Arose

00:08:11 – Overview of Southern Virginia University (SVU)

00:10:18 – SVU vs. BYU: Key Differences

00:12:02 – Personalized Education Experience at SVU

00:14:07 – Religious Education at SVU

00:15:07 – Diversity in Student Body

00:17:18 – Unique Position of SVU in Higher Education

00:18:28 – Aaron’s Leadership Experience

00:19:18 – Transitioning into the Role of College President

00:20:35 – Establishing a Clear Mission for SVU

00:22:21 – Creating a Collaborative Council Environment

00:23:38 – Encouraging Open Discussion in Meetings

00:25:07 – Effective Meeting Strategies

00:26:36 – Transformational Meetings vs. Routine Meetings

00:29:29 – The Knights Crest Program

The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. 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, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, 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, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.

Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Join us for Dan Oakes’ full presentation during the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit.

Grab your free seat here: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating

To hear the full presentation, grab your free spot for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit: LeadingSaints.org/liberating