4 Leadership Lessons From Faith Leader Russell M. Nelson for Any Business

I woke up Sunday morning to the news that Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had died at the age of 101, and shortly after publishing an op-ed in Time Magazine: “We All Deserve Dignity and Respect.”

As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I always listen to the words of church leadership when it comes to my spiritual life, but I’ve also learned that applying these principles to my work life has worked as well. 

Here’s what I’ve learned about business from President Nelson. Whether or not you share my faith, President Nelson’s leadership lessons in respect, managing anger, and lifelong learning, apply in the workplace as much as other areas of life.

Remember, everyone has inherent worth

Society is divided. Your employees are divided. There is hate and violence around the world, including a horrific attack Sunday on a congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ in Michigan.

Nelson wrote in Time: 

First:  Each of us has inherent worth and dignity. I believe we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. But no matter your religion or spirituality, recognizing the underlying truth beneath this belief that we all deserve dignity is liberating — it brings emotional, mental, and spiritual equilibrium — and the more you embrace it, the more your anxiety and fear about the future will decrease. 

When I’m dealing with a problematic client, vendor, or business partner, I’ve found that taking a moment to remind myself that this person deserves respect helps me make better, calmer decisions. By stepping back and recognizing that their lives are probably just as difficult as mine, and that they deserve grace, I can make better choices.

Twice in recent times, I’ve had people unknown to me attack me. However, without escalating the situation, I’ve managed to resolve these conflict and make friends with the people. We still have different opinions, but by recognizing the inherent worth of each other, we were able to solve our concerns. 

Anger doesn’t lead to solutions

Nelson said, in April 2023, 

“Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions.”

Business is competitive for sure. But we don’t have to approach it antagonistically. While I’m certainly not a perfect peacemaker, and I do take strong positions that may upset some people, I actively seek solutions.

I also do get angry from time to time. When that happens, I try to step back. I’ll take time to think before responding and run my response by trusted friends, and when necessary, legal counsel. I’ve found that being careful in what I say and dealing with my anger on the jogging trail or by getting out my nervous energy in an improv comedy practice.

Could I make more money if I used my anger to engage in cutthroat tactics? Maybe. But would I be happier? Of course not. Frankly, using this method has resulted in some amazing solutions.

Take care of your physical health

President Nelson was a cardiac surgeon who was respected worldwide and “served as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery, a director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, chairman of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery for the American Heart Association and president of the Utah State Medical Association.”

I’m an overweight HR professional who eats her feelings. But I’ve also seen the research on how taking care of ourselves benefits all aspects of our lives so what President Nelson said, in a speech in 2019, hit me:

There are specific ways in which we can likely improve. One is in the way we treat our bodies. I stand in awe of the miracle of the human body. It is a magnificent creation, essential to our gradual ascent toward our ultimate divine potential.

Viewing our bodies as a miracle rather than a burden is an interesting shift. I’ve tried to take better care of my body through exercise, diet, and medical support. 

When we consider that our bodies need rest and nourishment and our employees need the same, it switches how we think of things. Instead of pushing myself to the breaking point to make a sale or close a deal, I make sure to get adequate rest and try to eat a bit better. (I still struggle with eating my feelings, but I’m a work in progress.)

You’re never too old to learn

President Nelson was conversant in 11 languages. I’m fluent in English and conversant in German, and I’ve complained about every German word I’ve had to learn. When President Nelson was 55 in 1979, President Spencer W. Kimball, then President of the Church of Jesus Christ, advised leaders to learn Chinese.

Nelson took that to heart and learned Chinese. It opened doors for him, and later for the Church, as he developed relationships with Chinese leaders. Nelson was able to introduce open-heart surgery to China in 1980.

I haven’t learned Chinese, and I haven’t taught anyone open-heart surgery, but when ChatGPT came out in 2022, rather than saying, “Oh, I’m 49. That’s too old to learn new software,” I jumped right in. I’ve since then taught thousands of HR professionals how to use AI to make their lives easier.

Through this, I’ve been able to give speeches and training on AI on three continents, and I continue to be a thought leader in AI for HR. 

I think of President Nelson’s example often when I am faced with new tasks. I’m not too old to learn anything.

I, personally, will miss President Russell M. Nelson, as will the 17 million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His leadership reminds us that respect, health, and curiosity aren’t just personal virtues — they’re business strategies. Every leader, regardless of their faith, can carry those lessons forward.