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| Photograph by LaRene P. Gaunt |
We lost a key member of our team recently to cancer. LaRene Porter Gaunt’s name has been on the masthead of Church magazines for nearly three decades. Her writing, photography, and art have blessed and inspired people throughout the world. Additionally, her notable gift for building capability in others is an example to all Church employees.
Our department held a celebration in memory of LaRene not long after her passing. Colleagues shared stories and testimonies. There was a recurring theme throughout the stories: LaRene Gaunt loved and believed in people, let them know that, and expected them to succeed. With this singular talent, she helped others build their own careers.
Person after person shared these thoughts: “I mattered to her.” “I thought I was her personal project.” “We had a special bond.” It was evident that LaRene had a reach that extended beyond the staff of the magazines. She demonstrated three personal skills that are key to building capability in others: (1) she cared about others and their success; (2) she invited others to succeed through mentoring them and expressing confidence in them; and (3) she was always on her own path of building capability and was willing to share.
Care about Others and Their Success
One staff member shared how, as an intern, she had felt overwhelmed by the responsibility she had been given. LaRene noticed that this intern was carrying a burden and invited her to visit. They talked, cried together, and made an agreement to keep talking and growing together.
A staff member from another division was on the elevator with LaRene, when she asked him, “What’s your story?” He considered the question small talk, until she found him later to follow up. Through the sharing of his story, a relationship was built that resulted in a magazine article.
As LaRene demonstrated, caring about others and their success can express itself naturally in the context of life and work. She lived according to the scriptural admonition: “Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings” (Doctrine and Covenants 108:7).
Invite Others to Succeed
Many magazine staff members remembered that LaRene encouraged them in their careers and lives. One said specifically that as her internship was ending, she was fortunate to have LaRene not only encourage her to apply for a full-time position but also coach her through the process so she could represent herself in the best possible way.
We invite others to succeed when we give them problems to solve (along with the resources to solve them), express confidence in specific strengths and capabilities, and coach them through difficult challenges.
Build Your Own Capability
LaRene was not to be defined by a single discipline. She was a writer, photographer, artist, wife, mother, teacher, and so many other things. She was able to encourage and build up so many others in part because she didn’t accept limitations on her own learning and development.
As we work, it is our opportunity to “seek … earnestly the best gifts” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:8). We can ask ourselves what is needed, but more importantly, we can ask the Lord. He can help us see where we can grow and develop.
We left our celebration of LaRene’s life energized by the opportunities we have to influence others by caring more about them and their success, by inviting them to succeed, and by continually growing ourselves. We know as we do, our capability will grow as individuals and as an organization.
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