Here's What Real Leadership Looks Like
Let's look at effective leadership by distinguishing between a ruler and a leader. A boss can rule or lead. Sometimes they'll do both.
The ruler commands you: Do this. They don't necessarily run with you. You're the guy who's sent out there to accomplish whatever it is you're supposed to accomplish. Then you report back on your progress. The ruler doesn't really put himself on the line, although he may report back to his boss, of course. The ruler functions in a world driven by power.
The leader steps out front and gets into the fray with you by putting themselves on the front line. They take action that might incur criticism because they know it to be right. The true leader functions in a world centered on Truth. Great leaders function in a world centered on the True, the Good and the Beautiful - that is, the world as created by God, Our Father.
OK, where are we going with this?
A few years back, working at a big bank, I was charged with developing a new relationship with a large investment adviser, so that we could offer various services to them. After much effort, which included meetings attended by the head of the advisory firm and the "big boss" of our sector, the adviser agreed to start working with us. But, as it turned out, the area we had arranged to begin our relationship was run by a gentleman who had a personal grudge against the head of this investment adviser (for reasons that weren't clear). And he refused to honor the agreement we had worked out. He killed the business.
I spoke to our "big boss" who listened and - as it turned out - feigned indignation that this guy killed the business, pretending he was going to straighten this all out. It turned out he had no problem ruling when it suited him, like when I was sent out to get the business with the investment adviser, but refused to lead when it came time to charge into the fray to resolve the bottleneck caused by the head of another sector who held the personal grudge. I'm guessing someone above this "big boss" must have told him to back off and so, in the end, he left me out there by myself, with no business to show for my efforts, licking my wounds, after which he "inspired" me by commanding me to get back to work and find more business.
We now contrast such posturing and ultimately cowardly behavior with the demonstrated leadership of Bishop Paprocki of Springfield Illinois, who having warned a woman who attempted to be "ordained" a priest that if she pursued this, she would incur excommunication. In this world of ours, such a warning could be seen as heavy-handed, intolerant, judgmental...and all those other false characterizations of someone upholding the Truth. And many bishops, as a result, would - and have - avoided being characterized thusly, albeit if falsely.
Not Bishop Paprocki. He didn't order one of his minions into the fray. He sent the warning himself. And when the woman went ahead and had herself "ordained" he posted the announcement of her excommunication on the diocesan website - which, by the way, she incurred, that is, became subject to, by her own actions.
This man displays leadership by stepping into the fray himself. He will most likely be criticized, even condemned, by those who will note his "patriarchal," "medieval" heavy-handedness, whatever - false characterizations all; complete nonsense.
How refreshing to witness such true leadership by a Bishop of the Catholic Church!
As much as I was repelled by the sniveling "big boss," I'm inspired by this Bishop and will pray for his continued courage in leading his flock.
The ruler commands you: Do this. They don't necessarily run with you. You're the guy who's sent out there to accomplish whatever it is you're supposed to accomplish. Then you report back on your progress. The ruler doesn't really put himself on the line, although he may report back to his boss, of course. The ruler functions in a world driven by power.
The leader steps out front and gets into the fray with you by putting themselves on the front line. They take action that might incur criticism because they know it to be right. The true leader functions in a world centered on Truth. Great leaders function in a world centered on the True, the Good and the Beautiful - that is, the world as created by God, Our Father.
OK, where are we going with this?
A few years back, working at a big bank, I was charged with developing a new relationship with a large investment adviser, so that we could offer various services to them. After much effort, which included meetings attended by the head of the advisory firm and the "big boss" of our sector, the adviser agreed to start working with us. But, as it turned out, the area we had arranged to begin our relationship was run by a gentleman who had a personal grudge against the head of this investment adviser (for reasons that weren't clear). And he refused to honor the agreement we had worked out. He killed the business.
I spoke to our "big boss" who listened and - as it turned out - feigned indignation that this guy killed the business, pretending he was going to straighten this all out. It turned out he had no problem ruling when it suited him, like when I was sent out to get the business with the investment adviser, but refused to lead when it came time to charge into the fray to resolve the bottleneck caused by the head of another sector who held the personal grudge. I'm guessing someone above this "big boss" must have told him to back off and so, in the end, he left me out there by myself, with no business to show for my efforts, licking my wounds, after which he "inspired" me by commanding me to get back to work and find more business.
We now contrast such posturing and ultimately cowardly behavior with the demonstrated leadership of Bishop Paprocki of Springfield Illinois, who having warned a woman who attempted to be "ordained" a priest that if she pursued this, she would incur excommunication. In this world of ours, such a warning could be seen as heavy-handed, intolerant, judgmental...and all those other false characterizations of someone upholding the Truth. And many bishops, as a result, would - and have - avoided being characterized thusly, albeit if falsely.
Not Bishop Paprocki. He didn't order one of his minions into the fray. He sent the warning himself. And when the woman went ahead and had herself "ordained" he posted the announcement of her excommunication on the diocesan website - which, by the way, she incurred, that is, became subject to, by her own actions.
This man displays leadership by stepping into the fray himself. He will most likely be criticized, even condemned, by those who will note his "patriarchal," "medieval" heavy-handedness, whatever - false characterizations all; complete nonsense.
How refreshing to witness such true leadership by a Bishop of the Catholic Church!
As much as I was repelled by the sniveling "big boss," I'm inspired by this Bishop and will pray for his continued courage in leading his flock.
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