Perfect the Day

By Thomas Collins

January 1, 2013

Cardinal Collins on how to lead, how to follow and how to avoid mountain goats.

In England in the 19th century, the Catholic Church was blessed with two great leaders who both faithfully served the community, though they seemed personally not to have been able to get along with one another—God writes straight with crooked lines: John Henry Cardinal Newman, the leader of influence, and Dr But although a healthy ego is good and provides some of the drive necessary for effectiveness in life and in leadership, when leaders get drunk on ego, as can easily happen in any community, then all of us will suffer Both forms of leadership are essential, and both depend on the character of the leader and on the recognition by the community that the leader is a person of integrity who cares more for them and for the mission in which they are engaged than for self A person wrapped up in himself makes a very small package; to be a servant of the servants of God is a more spiritually rewarding approach, and one that allows for the flourishing of the whole community, for the ego-driven leader brings to bear on the problems we face only the talents that are within, while discouraging others But whether it be a crown or scarlet robes or the corner office, the signs of leadership are simply meant to be helpful signs that allow the leader to serve the community: like a bright flag that by its visual prominence can provide a rallying point for the troops in battle Before a person enters into spiritual leadership as a deacon, priest or bishop, he must lie flat on the floor while the community asks all the angels and saints to join with them in praying that he will be found faithful in fulfilling the office committed to him The royal psalms in the Old Testament were used at the anointing of the king, to place before him the model of how he should exercise leadership as a servant of God, responsible for the community

Read more...