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.