Leadership Through the Eyes of St. Benedict
Today we wind up our look at leaderhip through the eyes of St. Benedict. Our three previous posts provided the context for how we Catholic men at work might interpolate what we find in The Rule of St. Benedict. Our last post addressed situations where we're in the role of "follower" and provided some insight into how best to follow a leader to the advantage of your spiritual life. Now, in conclusion, we'll cover final characteristics St. Benedict identifies as important to an Abbot - which we will interpolate more generally as applying to anyone in a position of leadership. Some of these reinforce previous comments.
A leader knows his people and adapts his instruction to their particular temperament and character. Just as no one size fits all, no leader worth his salt "mails it in."
"He must adapt himself to circumstances, now using severity and now persuasion, displaying the rigour of a master or the loving kindness of a father. That is to say, that he must sternly rebuke the undisciplined and restless; but the obedient, meek, and patient, these he should exhort to advance in virtue. As for the negligent and rebellious, we warn him to reprimand and punish them. And let him not shut his eyes to the faults of offenders; but as soon as they begin to appear, let him, as he can, cut them out by the roots..."
Note how a good leader doesn't just "cheer lead." If someone's not pulling their weight or is off course, they stand in need of correction.
Leadership isn't for those who seek to be admired or "loved" by everyone. You've got to be willing to say what needs to be said, do what needs to be done, to assure the success of your enterprise. If you're overly concerned with being "popular," you'll likely not succeed.
It's also not for those who want to lead simply for the money, the perks, the gratification of ego, to attain power, or any other number of "rewards" that might accrue to those in supervisory or managerial positions. A great leader recognizes that they're taking on a great responsibility; indeed they...
"...should know that to whom more is committed, from him more is required."
If you shirk hard work, being a leader isn't for you:
"Let him realize also how difficult and arduous a task he has undertaken, of ruling souls and adapting himself to many dispositions. One he must humour, another rebuke, another persuade, according to each one's disposition and understanding, and thus adapt and accomodate himself to all in such a way, that he may not only suffer no loss in the sheep committed to him, but may even rejoice in the increase of a good flock."
While those of us who lead in the workplace don't have the degree of responsibility for the souls of his "sheep" that an Abbot possesses, our words and behavior should be based on charity, humility, and care for the individual person.
Keep the primacy of persons over material rewards in mind as you go about your business.
"Above all, let him not have greater solicitude for fleeting, earthly, and perishable things, and so overlook or undervalue the salvation of the souls committed to him; but let him always remember that he has undertaken the government of souls and will have to give an account of them."
We may not share the Abbot's degree of responsibility for the "government of souls." But think about it: Will God judge us based on our achieving the material goals and objectives of our business, or on how we comported ourselves in carrying out our leadership duties?
Finally, when you're following a leader, the same standards of charity, humility, and care for the individual person apply, even when you're asked for your input:
"Let the brethren give their advice with all deference and humility, nor venture to defend their opinions obstinately; but let the decision depend rather on the abbot's judgement, so that when he has decided what is the better course, all may obey. However, just as it is proper for disciples to obey their master, so is it becoming that he on his part should dispose all things with prudence, and justice."
St. Benedict's advice will help all of us whether we're leading or following. Study his words carefully. They'll provide a sure way for us to perform our duties both for the welfare of our souls and for the success of our enterprise.
A leader knows his people and adapts his instruction to their particular temperament and character. Just as no one size fits all, no leader worth his salt "mails it in."
"He must adapt himself to circumstances, now using severity and now persuasion, displaying the rigour of a master or the loving kindness of a father. That is to say, that he must sternly rebuke the undisciplined and restless; but the obedient, meek, and patient, these he should exhort to advance in virtue. As for the negligent and rebellious, we warn him to reprimand and punish them. And let him not shut his eyes to the faults of offenders; but as soon as they begin to appear, let him, as he can, cut them out by the roots..."
Note how a good leader doesn't just "cheer lead." If someone's not pulling their weight or is off course, they stand in need of correction.
Leadership isn't for those who seek to be admired or "loved" by everyone. You've got to be willing to say what needs to be said, do what needs to be done, to assure the success of your enterprise. If you're overly concerned with being "popular," you'll likely not succeed.
It's also not for those who want to lead simply for the money, the perks, the gratification of ego, to attain power, or any other number of "rewards" that might accrue to those in supervisory or managerial positions. A great leader recognizes that they're taking on a great responsibility; indeed they...
"...should know that to whom more is committed, from him more is required."
If you shirk hard work, being a leader isn't for you:
"Let him realize also how difficult and arduous a task he has undertaken, of ruling souls and adapting himself to many dispositions. One he must humour, another rebuke, another persuade, according to each one's disposition and understanding, and thus adapt and accomodate himself to all in such a way, that he may not only suffer no loss in the sheep committed to him, but may even rejoice in the increase of a good flock."
While those of us who lead in the workplace don't have the degree of responsibility for the souls of his "sheep" that an Abbot possesses, our words and behavior should be based on charity, humility, and care for the individual person.
Keep the primacy of persons over material rewards in mind as you go about your business.
"Above all, let him not have greater solicitude for fleeting, earthly, and perishable things, and so overlook or undervalue the salvation of the souls committed to him; but let him always remember that he has undertaken the government of souls and will have to give an account of them."
We may not share the Abbot's degree of responsibility for the "government of souls." But think about it: Will God judge us based on our achieving the material goals and objectives of our business, or on how we comported ourselves in carrying out our leadership duties?
Finally, when you're following a leader, the same standards of charity, humility, and care for the individual person apply, even when you're asked for your input:
"Let the brethren give their advice with all deference and humility, nor venture to defend their opinions obstinately; but let the decision depend rather on the abbot's judgement, so that when he has decided what is the better course, all may obey. However, just as it is proper for disciples to obey their master, so is it becoming that he on his part should dispose all things with prudence, and justice."
St. Benedict's advice will help all of us whether we're leading or following. Study his words carefully. They'll provide a sure way for us to perform our duties both for the welfare of our souls and for the success of our enterprise.
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