Did you ever wonder? You know, about the people we work with, for and see in power positions every day? I wonder a lot. Some days more than others! I wonder how, about 98% of, these people wound up in leadership positions in the first place. I wonder too, what exactly is in their heads when they finally figure that a bunch of people is their responsibility one way or the other. We’ve seen them; CEO’s, politicians, administrators, supervisors, religious leaders who haven’t got a single clue about what it really means to be a leader.
In so many ways a position of leadership is the ultimate challenge to one’s spiritual life. Besides accountability there is responsibility. For whatever period of time a group of people are in your care they are NOT your subjects. In the long run the leader is supposed to leave a situation and the people there better than it was when they began.
I was in the professional world for some time. As an educator for thirty-five years I have had many experiences of leadership. I have been lead and been a leader myself in a variety of situations large and small. I can probably count on one hand the occasions where I would actually say that I had a “real leader” to follow. Most recently, though, I have had an experience of leadership that has changed my thinking, my attitude, and maybe even my life.
Recently my parish hired a new music director. We searched long and hard and we were happy to find someone to take on the task since it not only involves parish work, music for two churches as well as working with the kids in our K-8 school. This is a big job that needed a person with a lot of energy. So part of the newbies job included the task to create a music friendly ministry as well as convince the congregation that they can and should sing. We are Catholic, after all and resist singing! Our new person not only took on that formidable task but brought along joy, grace, kindness and a deep spirituality. She is a leader unlike anyone I have ever experienced.
I have had a bird’s eye view of this new ministry by becoming a member of the choir. One is always curious about what a new leader will bring to a music setting. Some directors are focused on perfection, others are convinced that hours of rehearsal are the key to great ministry, some believe that sternness is necessary and yet others deliver the clear message that the only one who should be contributing ideas to the ministry is themselves. Our new director fits none of those profiles but has brought us a style and way of leading that many older, wiser and more powerful people could stand to take a lesson from.
We’ve been working together for a while now, including the harried Christmas season. I have had the occasion to see how she operates in a variety of situations; with parents, parishioners, children and adults. She is conservatory educated, winner of vocal awards, mega experienced in classical and theater music and proficient at several instruments. Yet her humility gives away none of the above.
I am quite literally beyond words at the way she does her job. Without exception, she is consistently kind to everyone. I have never heard her raise her voice or express anger or frustration. I have never observed her telling anyone that they are wrong, bad or incorrect. She does not gossip or complain. She regularly affirms whatever is going on and has a gift for making individuals feel that they are unique. A beautiful smile that reflects a loving spirit is a regular part of her demeanor. You might have guessed, by now, that I almost believe she could “walk on water”. Mmmmmm, maybe, but that’s not my point! The way that her kindness has percolated through every group she works with is astounding. In many ways her personality and attitude are simply “healing” to those around her. As the Choir Team forms and the kids, teachers, staff and adults prepared, her example simply permeated everything. Even the teeniest kids give her polite attention. Parents love her. The adult choir members are rare in their co-operation and attitude toward each other. Parishioners leave Mass smiling. People are happy. The music from every group is beautiful.
None of this has happened by mistake. It’s no mystery. Leadership is not something that you “impose” on others just because you can. In this Year of Mercy re-think what it means to be a leader. If someone calls you to that privilege realize that it is an opportunity. God grants us a constant supply of occasions to grow. Do you have the kind of courage to choose kindness and mercy rather that criticism, judgement and temper? The example of a leader who practices consistent kindness and joy is like leaven than works its way through all situations. It doesn’t take much to effect things. People are transformed before they even know what “hit them”. After all, isn’t this what Jesus taught us to be? “He spoke to them another parable; ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.’” (Mt 13:33) Funny how that works!
Author’s Note: This is meant to be a companion piece to an article posted on New Evangelizers on January 6, 2016.
Copyright© 2016, Kathryn M. Cunningham
Kathryn M. Cunningham
Kathryn holds a Master’s in Education from Saint Xavier University. Most recently she completed Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from The Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. This recent degree was part of a “retirement project” after teaching for 35 years. She has also worked as a spiritual director, music minister,council member and prayer team warrior. Kathryn has a deep interest in catechesis for the people in the pews. As a “sort of” convert she finds the wisdom of the Church a source for encouragement, joy and survival in a world not sure of anything. Her writing has appeared in diocesan publications and on-line sites, most recently for Zenit. To learn more about Kathryn check out her thinking at: www.atravelersview.org">ATravelersView.org.
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