Dare Great Things For Christ

Leadership puts us in the spotlight. Like it or not, leaders are out in front. If we follow the ways of the world, the natural prominence of leadership can result in negative consequences like arrogance and self conceit. It was just the opposite, however, for St. John the Baptist. He used his prominence to promote Christ and he learned how to make himself disappear behind the glory of the one who came after him. This is Part 4 of our series on The Bold Leadership of John the Baptist.

Most of us know the figure of John the Baptist but not all of us our familiar with his actual message. At the heart of John the Baptist’s proclamation was the phrase “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” What does it mean to repent and how is this essential to our leadership today? In this third part of our series on the bold leadership of John the Baptist, we explore the meaning and significance of his proclamation and show how it impacts us even today.

Like it or not being in a position of leadership means being at the forefront of change. In many ways this can be intimidating, but if we look at it from a point of view of faith and a call from God the prospects given to us by leadership are exhilarating. We can stand for and do amazing things, things that other people only dream of doing. In many ways being a leader calls on us to be like John the Baptist – a prophet, standing in the wilderness, making a bold proclamation, and allowing our own voices to echo the Word.

Amongst all the history of great leaders inspired by faith surely St. John the Baptist is at the top of the list. Not only was his life recorded in sacred scripture as an example to us all but his leadership provides an amazing model for all of us who seek to serve God by the power and influence He has given us. In this first of our series treating the bold leadership of John the Baptist we look at his life and background and begin to understand the significance of his powerful preaching.

Prayer is to the soul what breathing is to the body, therefore, prayer is essential to everybody. But even more so to those who will lead, who play a position that comes to them from God in our world. Without a doubt each of us has their own way to pray and express their hearts to God, but the Catholic tradition holds many devotions which can help us to find discipline and regularity in our prayer. One of these is the Breastplate of St. Patrick. – an excellent prayer to say at the beginning of each workday.

At its essence leadership is a question of vision and vision at its heart is a matter of creativity. Although not always comfortable being in charge of an operations means finding an answer no matter what. Great leaders do this in extraordinary ways. But getting to the heart of how to innovate and find new answers means getting to the heart of the human person and their freedom and this is why it’s important to talk about the power of grace to create new ideas and innovation. This is part 4 of our series on Leaders In A Broken World.

Accepting to lead in the footsteps of Christ means extending the power of His salvific redemption into our world through our work. In brief this means bringing healing bringing peace and doing good in a world that needs it. Seeing our work in this light makes our occupations a mission and makes our duties and instrument of God’s peace. One way we do that is by helping the people around us to grow and develop. Today is our third in our series, “Leaders In A Broken World.”

Leadership is not done in a vacuum. In fact the cultural situation we find ourselves in often influences the decisions we have to make. This is why it is so important for Christian leaders to always remember the importance of their role as leaders in a world that is marked by sin. In today’s episode, the second of our series of Leaders In A Broken World we develop the importance of Christian leadership for providing true unity and creating true harmony for the betterment of all.

Trying to improve our leadership requires a lot from us. It requires study and thought and development of our skills. But sometimes in the midst of all that we can forget why we’re called to lead in the first place. What’s God’s plan for our leadership? Why would he call us to do what we’re doing anyway? Certainly there are many great answers to these questions but none strike as profoundly as seeing our work as an extension of the work of Christ himself; an extension of the power of the cross, an extension of salvation for a broke world.

When we are in a position of leadership law can sometimes seem cumbersome. And as Christian leaders we’ve developed our sense of autonomy and freedom and love to the point where many of us wonder why do we need rules in the church at all? Sometimes it can be tempting to say, “those in charge make the rules” and that’s why the life of our Lord can be disconcerting. Because he followed the law. In this final part of our examination of Aquinas’ teaching on the life of our Lord, we draw valuable insights from the example of Christ for our lives as leaders today.

The Christian tradition has always recommended that a minister of the gospel live a life of material simplicity. Such a life would guarantee the virtues necessary for proclaiming the gospel in purity. But what does the Church have to say for those engaged in the public sphere of commerce? If a business leader tries to evangelize with their business or in the context of their leadership are they obliged to embrace poverty? What role does poverty play in the life of a non ordained Christian leader today? Let’s continue our study and find out.

When we assume a role of leadership we set ourselves apart from the people that we lead. By definition the leader is at the top or first in line. And leaders in general play positions in society where power is a part of their lives. But what do we do as Christians? Shouldn’t we be the same as every other Christian? And what if our position of leadership brings us a little too close to the world and its way of thinking and acting? What did our Lord do? How did He live?

All of us know that leadership is a demanding thing. Physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. Anyone who stands in front of the crowd and points the right direction will take a beating. And yet strangely this is exactly what God asks us to do. Maybe it’s for this reason that our Lord himself took times to rest. In this second part of our series on Leadership Lessons From the Summa, St. Thomas Aquinas teaches us the three different ways that Jesus rested.

Without a doubt leadership requires us to engage other people. Whether it be in networking for new partnerships or interviewing new employees, we live an active life. For many Christians this is problematic. We can sometimes feel that being a leader and being active means that we can’t be as contemplative and prayerful as we should be. In this lesson of leadership coming from St. Thomas Aquinas I lead you in a study of his treatise on the life of Christ to glean insights there.

Few saints exemplify the power of Catholic leadership more than a simple Italian nun named St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Although plagued with bad health and many restrictions in her life she found a way to be incredibly productive founding schools, orphanages, and hospitals on four continents. She teaches us to overcome whatever lies in our way as we pursue God’s will – sharing with us her personal motto, “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.”

Regardless of our positions and responsibilities communication is always a challenge. How did the saints communicate when they needed to? In today’s episode on Leadership Lessons From The Saints, I look at St. Patrick. Not only did he manage to communicate foreign ideas to his audience, but he did so in a way that was persuasive. He managed to do something with his communication that all of us leaders need to do. He communicated facts in a way that moved and promoted action. So, his leadership lesson from 1600 years ago remains true today.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “People will not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” It’s a fact that leadership is something that followers bequeath to the one that leads them. Meaning that we who lead in the footsteps of Christ have to gain the trust of those whom we are leading. Few saints embody this better than St. Joan of Arc. She literally lead troops into battle. Because they believed in her – believed in her vision and saw her courage. She led from the heart and her leadership serves as an example for us today.

Anyone charged with leadership has to constantly confront difficulty. In fact any leader will tell you that problems are their playing field. But confronting difficulty and challenge is not always easy. It takes courage and bravery. Pope Leo the Great, the Bishop of Rome from 440 AD to 461 AD, gives us an example of tremendous courage in the face of controversy. The example he gives in his day can strengthen us to do the challenges in front of us each day in the office and in the family.

Leading with daring might sound glorious but in practice it’s actually difficult to define. How do we know when our daring is not rationale? And where can we look to find the surety that we need to dare great thing for Christ? In this fourth Leadership Lessons From The Saints we take a look at some of the comments by Jose Maria Escrivá. Not only did St. Jose Maria dare something great for Christ but he described it as a virtue and a necessary component to anything that would call itself Christian leadership.

Of the many saints we could hope to emulate, Pope John Paul II stands apart for his excellence in leadership. Not only was he Pope of the Catholic Church at a very difficult time in church and world history but his twenty-six year long pontificate was marked by incredible achievements, changes, and unique global impact. In this third of our series on Leadership Lessons From The Saints we unpack several lessons from the life and teachings of this master of humanity.

Of the many excellent texts on leadership in the Catholic Church’s tradition The Rule of Saint Benedict surely holds a pride of place. Written around 530 AD by St. Benedict of Nursia this text provided the foundation for the way of life of his monks. A way of life that shaped many of our traditions in Western Civilization. This is why his take on leadership is so important. And he provides us with a valuable lesson in our ongoing series on the lessons of leadership from the saints.

It might surprise many of us to remember that the saints themselves were oftentimes leaders and as such had to shoulder the heavy burden of leadership just like we do. It can be helpful to learn from them; what did they do, how did they handle the daily stresses of life? In this first class of Leadership Lessons From The Saints I look at John XXIII’s ten rules for a day – rules that he practiced every day and which certainly could help us as well.

Like anything stepping into leadership requires training. Stepping into Christian leadership requires that we not just be skilled but also ethical and holy. How to integrate these two worlds? How to integrate our spirituality, our faith, and the realism of the world of business? The Church’s Magisterium put forth a wonderful document that outlines a way forward. By educating Christians in the principles of Christ, and in the use of the virtues, she points forward a way for us to not only do business but to lead. Register for the AUDEO Masterclass: https://saintjohninstitute.org/event/audeo-masterclass-business-owners-and-top-level-leaders/

Without a doubt something that all leaders have in common is that we are men and women of action. Practically oriented, skilled in social settings, leaders tend to rise to the top because they engage their talents in their situations to make a difference. They are men and women of action. Does the Christian faith have room for them and do they have room in their hearts for Christianity? What about contemplation, receptivity, submission to God? In this second part of our series on applying the gospel we explore these actions and more. Register for the AUDEO Masterclass: https://saintjohninstitute.org/event/audeo-masterclass-business-owners-and-top-level-leaders/

It’s an amazing fact that we spend nearly half of our waking life at work. The relationships we form there are real, intense, and impact our overall vision of life. For the Christian this represents a real challenge. How can I live the relationships I have at work or in my social setting in a way that glorifies God and helps others to know him better? In this first of our series on Applying The Gospel we analyze the Catholic Church’s insistence that whatever we do serves to make communities of persons. Register for the AUDEO Masterclass: https://saintjohninstitute.org/event/audeo-masterclass-business-owners-and-top-level-leaders/

Whatever format it’s found in, teamwork has always played an essential role in getting anything done. It’s so important in fact that much of contemporary literature around leadership focuses on a leader’s ability to generate and maintain healthy teams. But isn’t the notion of a team something that is essential to the Christian religion? And if so shouldn’t Christianity offer a special advantage to a Christian leader? In this tenth episode of our series on the Christian advantage in leadership I take a look at this question. Register for the Fit Women’s Hike: https://saintjohninstitute.org/event/fit-womens-hike-2/

Most Christians charged with positions of leadership tend to separate what they have to do every day in a practical sphere from there growth as Christians. Spirituality and practicality are often looked at as opposites. When this happens though, two things occur: firstly, the world of practicality is left bereft of spiritual guidance and, simultaneously, our spirituality loses the strength that comes from our practical endeavors. By uniting the two the Christian has the advantage. Register for the Fit Women’s Hike: https://saintjohninstitute.org/event/fit-womens-hike-2/

The theme of putting your people first is popular today in leadership theory. Many studies are done and cited that conclusively show that focusing on company culture affects the bottom line in a positive way. But focusing on people and developing people has not always been the hallmark of western capitalism. In fact many of the advances towards more humane work come from Christianity. Why is this? And how can harnessing it give us an advantage?

When it comes to leadership what we do on the outside flows from what we have on the inside. Our thoughts and our motivations drive the actions which determine our success. Here Christians have a distinct advantage. Ever since Christ rose from the dead Christians know the truth about our final victory over evil and therefore our daily victory over problems. In this seventh of our series on the Christian leadership advantage we explore the Christian power of positivity.

The Catholic church has always taught that work was genuinely a human activity. Meaning that it was something that we did that made our lives better. But with the increase of technology, social media, and the changing demographics of the work force, work itself seems to be a different kind of experience. Nevertheless, the truth about work hasn’t changed. And God’s vision for work laid out in the Bible remains the same. This is a Christian advantage. By letting the truth of our faith inform our leadership Christians protect and enhance the working environment for all involved.

In trying to understand the advantage that the Christian faith gives to us in our leadership, there’s no more powerful place to look than our perspective on heaven. Afterall, eternal life is the backdrop behind everything a Christian does, the ultimate goal of all our motivations. But what practical difference does this make in the perspective that we take at work. Well, in fact, it makes a big difference if we let it. In this fifth part of our series on The Christian Leader’s Advantage we explore the power of the idea of heaven.

In some ways all leadership is the same. Individuals have to move groups of people to accomplish things in unity. What then is the Christian difference and what does a religion of love have to do with leadership? In this fourth part of our series on The Christian Leaders Advantage, we explore the difference that love makes in leadership. Not only does it speak to the emotions of all involved, but it allows leaders to penetrate more deeply into what really motivates people to be their best. And being the best of all things, why wouldn’t love make us the best of all leaders.

How does the approach a Catholic takes towards leadership differ from the approach anyone else takes? Does our faith in Christ make us better leaders? In this third part on our series “The Christian Leader’s Advantage”, I examine the fact that Christians believe in eternal life, and I examine the practical ramifications that this belief has on our ability to lead others well. Afterall, if Jesus Christ called us to lead and he called us to be Christians it’s because our Christianity has something wonderful to do with our leadership. And I’d like to show you how.

When it comes to leading others, Christians out to have a distinct advantage. After all Christians who lead believe that they are leading in the hand of God and following his lead. But what does this advantage actually look like? One spot where we can see it particularly is in our belief that our sins can be forgiven. How does our claim about the forgiveness of sins impact the world of work? In this second on our series on the Christian advantage I want to explore the power of mercy to transform our vision of leadership.

Christians have long professed that we are at the same time like everyone else and different. We’re the same because we are human just like anyone else but we’re different because we have received the grace of Christ. Well if this is true then our leadership will also be the same and different. Our leadership will have to follow the same laws as everyone else and the same structure but we should also be leading with the grace of Christ. I wanted to find out what this meant and share a short course with you. A series of talks on this subject to help you appreciate the Christian advantage.

So far in this series on the four anchors we’ve looked at how God is the secret to human success. How this is expressed firstly by the family being anchored by God and how it’s extended by our work being anchored in our family. In this next conference I take a look at how our culture stands to benefit by being firmly anchored in our work and the key role that Catholic business leaders play in transforming the culture by bringing the values of the Gospel through their families and through their workplace into the heart of society.

Whether we like it or not all of us have to work every day. So what’s the secret to working with satisfaction and fulfillment? In this third segment in our series on the Four Anchors I explore what work could look like when it is anchored soundly in our identity as who we are. And in particular I take a look at how that identity of who we are is given to us in a profound way by our family. Just as our family can be anchored in God our work can be anchored in our family and the values that they give us.

Faith and family values just seem to go together but why is this so and what happens to our family values if we separate them from faith? Many young families today are doing just that trying to see if we can maintain a family without necessarily linking it back to God. On the other hand the Catholic church consistently teaches us that God is the key to family unity and to family greatness. But what does this mean? In this second part of our series on The Four Anchors we explore the real blessings that faith represents for our families.

As we try to navigate our way as Catholics in a modern world many of us wonder what the recipe is for true success. Everyone wants a happy world and a healthy country but many people aren’t very clear about what role the Church or God has to play in giving us those. In fact, however, there is a very clear recipe. And I like to call it the four anchors. In this five part series I am going to walk you through those four anchors and give you practical tips on how to implement them yourself.

Most people want to see some positive change in our culture. But many people struggle to know exactly what this should look like. Are we struggling just for struggle’s sake or is there an end goal that we are supposed to be striving towards? In this last part in my series on cultural leadership I wanted to give you the big picture. Looking at Matthew 25 where we can understand why Jesus wants us to impact culture. Namely, as an act of love for him.

All of us want to make a difference for Christ in our culture today. But most of us don’t know where to begin. A wide variety of issues competes for our attention. One thing the Catholic church has consistently argued is that the family is the root of society. As the family goes so the world will go. Maybe this is why for the Catholic church so much attention is spent on developing family ties. Why is this so, however? And what importance should we give the family in our own efforts to transform the culture for Christ today?

Most Christians today recognize the importance of engaging our culture with the Gospel. Changes are afoot that would radically alter the way that we raise our families and understand our fundamental freedoms. This sense of urgency has led many to find the most effective ways to impact the culture. How do we transform a culture before it transforms us? One of the most overlooked methods, however, is the simplest: the direct encounter we can have with the people around us. If cultural leadership were football, this would be the ground game, and this is the method our Lord, Himself, showed us.

By now any Christian who follows events in the world knows how important it is for us to act. The news headlines are filled with reports of things that are happening and calls for us to get involved. On the other hand Christians are equally convinced that we need to pray. Prayer is a part of our spiritual tradition and something our Savior commanded us to do. Is there a connection between the two? Is there really a value to prayer when so much of our brain space is taken up by issues, and confrontations, and worry about the future. I think there is and I want to make a case for it.

So much of what makes a leader successful comes from their ability to take people where they need to go. If we don’t have vision then we really are the blind leading the blind. But oddly enough when it comes to shaping our culture it seems that many people don’t know what we should be aiming at. The world will indicate many different values as its’ arbiter of success, but what does Jesus ask for from us? What does our Lord ask for from a follower of His in the culture in which we live? How do we aim at the right things?

Today it’s fashionable to separate the Church from society. We claim that the legitimate separation of Church from state means that the state should proceed without any influence from the Church. The Church, however, has a different opinion. How are we to evaluate of the Catholic Church’s contribution to our society? What impact can the world really expect from the Christian message? What’s the value of the culture that we’re proposing? All these question are central to the discussion about how Jesus raises us up to lead our culture today.

There are many people who speak about the need for cultural leadership. The issues and values of our society today are constantly under discussion. But most of this discussion seems to be from the outside. A competition of competing visions and views that clash and sometimes divide. Is there another way to have this discussion? How would Jesus Christ have his followers lead the battle to shape a culture in His image? In this first of our series we look at what culture is and try to understand the Christians role in shaping it.

We’ve journeyed together through the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas about making decisions. We’ve learned about discernment, about counsel, about timing and about so much else. And now is the time to act. In this final segment on our series on making winning decisions with St. Thomas Aquinas, I want to look with you on the theology of the imperium or the command that our mind tells our will to make - getting over the hurdle of constantly wondering whether or not we should something and crossing the threshold of success.

Anyone who wants to be successful in leadership needs to be really good at working with people. The more a leader understands human behavior the more effectively they’ll deal with it and reach the goals of their organization and their mission. This is where St. Thomas Aquinas gives us a distinct advantage. He represents a wealth of knowledge coming from the Catholic tradition about how we work, how our hearts work, how we make decisions. And in this fifth part of our series we look at how he solves the problems of when people just don’t want to work.

Some do it more from a personal charisma than from a studied approach, but all leaders have to bring people with them towards the vision that they’re casting. And so that begs the question: “How can we who have to make decisions everyday make them in a way that other people will find attractive?” Well, reaching back into our Catholic theology we find this subject matter already treated by St. Thomas Aquinas. And in this fourth part of our series we explore it today.

All great leaders are capable of casting a vision. But casting a vision is not easy to do. To have a vision towards a goal means you want to have that goal. And sometimes are hearts are just afraid to stretch out into the unknown and into the unforeseen. The grace of God can help us to heal and to have the daring we need to want the things we don’t yet have. And when we do we become leaders of the heart. St. Thomas Aquinas helps us understand this process and how we can actualize it in our own lives as leaders today.