A BYU-Hawaii organizational behavior graduate and his mentor/professor, who have recently formed a corporate training company together, encouraged those in the November 15 Student Alumni Association meeting to follow the leadership example of Ammon in the Book of Mormon to achieve great success.
Before turning to the Book of Mormon, Art Hannemann ('82) related how he dropped out of high school in California and moved to Laie to live with his sister so he could surf. "I was surfing 'second break' and had been out in the water for about two-and-a-half hours, and for the first time in my life everything opened up to me. I was filled with emotion and gratitude. When I got to my sister's house, I remember kneeling by my bed and praying, crying for everything that I'd been blessed with."
Later, after serving a mission and earning his high school diploma at age21, Hannemann graduated from BYU-Hawaii in just two-and-a-half years. While in school here he took classes from Dr. Morris Graham, with whom he recently formed Pacific Potentials, LLC.
The two previously developed a training program for the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Dr. Graham — who still teaches Organizational Behavior321 on campus once or twice a year — was drafted by the governor of Hawaii and went on to work as a major corporate trainer.
"We have developed a system where we close the gaps between objectives and reality," Hannemann said. "One of the first things we do is an assessment to determine where an organization is, and we charge zero dollars to do this. We talk to everyone in the organization. A lot of companies will charge thousands just to do the assessment and tell them what their problems are."
"We want to share our leadership model in terms of who you are and who you should become, without apology, in terms of great leaders out there," said Grahame, who described BYU-Hawaii students as great candidates for success "because you're Christ-centered."
"You're unique. You're very special," he said, tying this potential to core values that "first and foremost include the Savior," and noting that Ammon in the Book of Mormon is one of the best examples.
Hannemann reminded the students that King Lamoni was so impressed with Ammon "that he offered his daughter to be his wife, but Ammon told him, Nay, but I will be thy servant [Alma 17:25]. Now remember, Ammon was a prince, the son of King Mosiah."
He noted that Ammon soon encountered a "huge problem" when Lamanitesdrove off the sheep they were tending and his fellow workers were afraid they would be slain. "But Ammon's heart was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants,or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants [Alma 17:29]."
When the other servants told the king what happened, "and this is the part that I love, the king was 'astonished exceedingly.' How would you like to have your boss say that about you?"
"Where was Ammon?" Hannemann asked. "He went to feed the horses: Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them. [Alma 18:10]."
Hannemann told the students they can also be astonishing. "To lead is to serve, and to serve is to lead," he said. "In our business,we look at people who are totally committed to the organization."
"On your first job away from BYU-Hawaii, one of the best things you can do is ask what is your mission going to be at that point. How can I contribute to this organization? How can I tie my job to the goals and objectives of this organization? Many managers don't even know how the organizations mission applies to their job."
"With the spirit you've often got to ask what's going to happen," Graham said. He added in his experience where morale is bad, he's had to get people talking to each other before they can focus on core values.
"You want to be sensitive so you can be a servant-leader. You need to live so you can have the spirit and be active in people's lives, people who are really struggling because of bad leadership. With the spirit you can do profound work," Graham continued. "We have seen remarkable changes."
Hannemann suggested a good way to start is to develop a personal mission statement. "When you go into an organization, the question is, who am I. Is my focus going to be a leader, to be the next manager or supervisor?" Whatever the answer, he urged the students to "always let people know what your values are. Your values let people know who you are."
"I promise you, if you go into an organization prepared spiritually and with an education, and your number-one desire is to serve, you will be an incredible leader," Hannemann said. "You will stand out big time. You will probably be the only one in that organization that has that spirit. People will be 'astonished exceedingly' by your performance."
"We say, to serve is to lead, and to lead is to serve. As a result of your service, you will find yourself in a leadership role. As a leader in an organization, you can help people become better."
"Over the years I've worked with a lot of students. This is a wonderful campus. Its equal is not found anywhere," Graham said, urging the students to "work with the Lord. Know what He wants. Be flexible, and you'll be surprised where you end up. He knows the mission you're supposed to do, the people you're supposed to bless. Keep asking, what would You have me do."