Jon Holdaway was born and raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He served in the Korea Seoul Mission, where he met Sister Juliette Landsem. They have two children. Jon graduated from Brigham Young University and BYU Law, and served in the Utah Army National Guard. He later became an Army JAG officer with assignments including Charlottesville, Virginia, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Darmstadt, Germany, where he also served in church leadership roles including bishopric member, high council member, and stake mission president.
After leaving the Army, Jon moved to Los Angeles and practiced law while serving as bishop in the Venice/Marina del Rey area. He later returned to government service, working in the national security field for 12 years and serving in various church leadership roles, including high priest group leader and stake young men president. Jon and his wife moved to Korea in 2020, where he works as a senior civilian attorney and legal advisor to the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Command. He currently serves as president of the Seoul Korea Military District.
For links related to this podcast, visit https://leadingsaints.org/how-i-lead-in-the-seoul-korea-military-district-an-interview-with-jon-holdaway/
In this “How I Lead” interview, Jon Holdaway, president of the Seoul Korea Military District, shares his unique leadership experiences and principles. He emphasizes the critical role of revelation in guiding decisions, particularly in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment. Jon advocates for a proactive approach, encouraging leaders to “do something” rather than becoming bogged down in endless meetings. He stresses the importance of ministering to individual leaders, ensuring their well-being, and providing necessary support.
The district’s transient nature, with frequent member turnover, necessitates agile leadership and a focus on succession planning. Jon also highlights the diverse population he serves, encompassing military personnel, expats, and refugees, each with unique needs. He underscores the significance of purposeful meetings, empowering others, and fostering a collaborative environment. Ultimately, Jon’s leadership philosophy centers on connecting leaders to the blessings of service and reflecting the love of Christ, believing that serving others brings profound personal growth and fulfillment.
Highlights:
Revelation in Leadership: Prioritizing revelation in leadership is crucial, especially in a fast-paced environment [00:53]. Leaders should seek guidance and act on promptings to address needs effectively [18:16].
Taking Action: Leaders should “do something” rather than getting stuck in meetings [01:06]. Even if mistakes are made, learning occurs, and progress is achieved [37:56].
Ministering to Leaders: It’s essential to check in with individual leaders, ensuring their well-being and offering support [01:11]. Leaders should ask how they are doing and what support they need [47:40].
Transient Nature of the District: The district experiences frequent turnover, requiring proactive talent management and succession planning [16:28]. Leaders must adapt quickly and be revelatory in filling callings [17:13].
Diversity: The district serves a diverse population, including military personnel, expats, and refugees, each with unique needs [13:03].
Presiding with Purpose: Meetings should be purposeful, providing value and inspiration to attendees [39:33]. Leaders should empower others and create space for input and counsel [41:55].
Connecting Leaders to Blessings: Serving and leading blesses others, which in turn brings blessings back to the leader [58:40]. This creates a cycle of service and growth [59:32].
Being a Follower of Christ: Reflecting Christ’s love and offering support can change lives [01:03:40].