In the following section we reflect upon leadership. Effective Leadership underpins communities where people flourish. It is attuned to the people in the community, grows in awareness of the variety of gifts that rest within the people, creates communities of dialogue where, if trust is there, people of diverse views and experience can create the future. Einstein said: Today’s problems cannot be solved with the same thinking that created them. So good leadership encourages new ways of thinking, allows risk taking even if it leads to failure. And after failure the question becomes: What did we learn? How do we nurture trust? It is nurtured in the daily interactions. Being interested in each other. Support when someone is going through a difficult personal time. Being aware that the vitality of the community rests on the vitality of each person. Being engaged. Affirming success and effort. Noticing an initiative a colleague is taking. Affirming courage.
More formally we can do it in the way the staff are engaged in shaping the future. Genuine dialogue at staff meetings that focuses upon the task of the community – providing a fruitful education for the students entrusted to us. The way we come together as a faith community; how at ease we are at engaging in sharing faith and prayer.
The following reflections are to assist in reflection, prayer and dialogue around the theme of leadership. Every day each of us exercises leadership regardless of whether we are in a position of formal leadership or not. Francis often refers to himself as Bishop of Rome. I’m wondering if he is trying to remind us that his position is one of collegiality – a member of the college of bishops with the added responsibility of leadership of them. In a short time he has modelled a very different style of leadership and is encouraging us to do the same. And his success as leader depends upon our engagement and contribution.
In her article Spirit-Led Leadership, Regina Bechtle articulates the various elements that together create good leaders and effective leadership. This could be a stimulus for people to have some personal reflection on leadership and some conversation with colleagues. Hopefully then the prayer reflections develop the themes Regina explores.
In the reflections in the Encounters section there are numerous examples of Jesus as leader. He had no formal authority but exercised life giving personal authority. You might like to intersperse the leadership prayers with some from that section.
Leone Pallisier
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