Florida Catholic | Bishop Barbarito's Column

Some principles for the new year

Published: 01.11.08

There are some who say that the Lord did not have a planned-out method … that his approach to leadership was a casual one. That is far from the case.

Books constantly appear on the topic of leadership and the style of different leaders, both past and present. There is a great interest in leadership and the measures employed by great men and women in inspiring their followers. While these books are aimed at those in corporate and other political positions, they also have meaning for dealing effectively with the matters of everyday life, no matter what position one may be in. Some of the principles of leadership are good to keep before us as we begin a new year and try to abide by some resolutions we have made.

All of us are called to be leaders. It does not matter whether we are the president of a company, a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher, a parent or a retired person living alone, we all exercise leadership. The importance of personal leadership is part of our Catholic tradition. Our very lives as Christians in the Catholic Church are examples to others of how we should live. All works on leadership agree that the best way to lead is by example. That is precisely what Our Lord calls each of us to do.

Christ was a very effective leader. That is obvious from the crowds he drew and the teaching he imparted. There are some who say that the Lord did not have a planned-out method of leadership and that his approach to leadership was a casual one. That is far from the case. He had an exact plan and utilized the best methods of leadership. Indeed, a close scrutiny of the works outlining the principles of leadership reveal that these principles are nothing more than basic Christian doctrine. The following principles of leadership, especially as followed by the Lord, are good rules for the new year.

One of the first principles of leadership is first things first. One has to decide on priorities; what matters to deal with before others. Christ certainly manifested this principle in his leadership skills. Before he began his public ministry, he went into the desert for a period of 40 days where he was tempted by Satan. During that period he prioritized his goals and foresaw the tremendous difficulties he would face. Rather than a source of discouragement, his temptations became a source through which he realized where he would have to place his resources. Prioritizing what really matters is necessary for all of us.

Another principle of leadership is to reflect and then decide. When considering possible actions, a leader must carefully ponder a matter before he or she comes to a firm decision. A close look at the Gospels finds Jesus using this principle all of the time. We constantly find him alone and at prayer before all the significant moments of his ministry. From the choosing of his Twelve Apostles to his agony in the garden on the night before his death, Christ carefully reflected on what he was about to undertake. Such reflection or prayer is an essential practice for all of us to follow in the decisions we must make in our lives.

Another principle of leadership is to meet challenges head on. Leaders do not avoid challenges, but actually welcome them. They do not try to divert them, but to solve them. Christ always met challenges head-on. He never avoided obstacles that were in his path, such as misunderstanding disciples and critical enemies. When it was time for him to go to Jerusalem, where he knew he would face his own crucifixion, he did so resolutely and without any hesitation. We all face many challenges and difficult times in our lives and the Lord’s is the best example to follow in dealing with them.

Another principle of leadership is to associate with opponents in order to sidestep anger and to reach understanding. Christ was the most effective leader in terms of dealing with enemies. He instructed his followers to love their enemies and to do good to those who offered opposition. He taught that anger and resentment do the greatest harm to the bearer and not to the enemy. Indeed, such are an aid to the enemy. Avoiding resentment is the best means for bringing peace to ourselves.

A principle of leadership repeated in all the current works on the matter is to staunchly face opponents. The Lord was a master at this. The Pharisees were the opponents of his day who relentlessly opposed Christ privately and publicly. They tried to subvert his teaching and to make him look blasphemous. They were powerful men held in high esteem by others and did not want to lose this esteem to Christ. The Lord never minced words with them. While he loved them, even as his enemies, he dealt with them bluntly and directly, always making them back down. In an age when so many opponents are distorting the church and its message of the sanctity of life and other moral principles, the Lord’s method of dealing with them is the best to follow.

A final and surprising principle of leadership is that a good leader creates a culture where failure and error are looked upon as steps toward success. Christ obviously followed this principle to its limit. His ministry ended in failure with his crucifixion, yet it was the means to his resurrection and our life. The cross is the center of our faith and the symbol of Christian leadership. Christ was crucified as a king and it was that which brought us life. Keeping the cross before oneself is what ultimately makes the Christian.

With all the interest in leadership, especially that will be before us this year in the upcoming national election, it is good for us to reflect upon the leadership of Christ himself. He truly was the greatest of leaders who set the example for all of us to follow in the Christian leadership that we must exercise in our lives. We will be most effective if we follow the example of Christ. By following him, we give the best example and that is true leadership.

A blessed new year to all. Hopefully, these principles of leadership will be some good guides for 2008!

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