Across the planet, Catholics as well as non-Catholics are impressed with the new leader of the Catholic Church. Part of the attraction has to do with Pope Francis' welcoming personality. Yet, his leadership style offers lessons for other leaders, as well.
Within the Catholic Church, the pope as top leader is considered to be "infallible." How much more authoritative can you be than "infallible?" Nevertheless, it would appear that Pope Francis would rather lead by humble example in the way he dresses, travels, his approach to people and the way he runs the organization. His approach to people is inclusive, even to those who don't belong to his organization.
One of the first leadership steps that Pope Francis took was to delegate and send the
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He doesn't ride in luxury automobiles. People are surprised to see him carry his own briefcase. He frequently picks up the phone and dials his own numbers.
Recently, Pope Francis went to visit the workers in the various workshops that support the infrastructure of Vatican City. He went to the power plant, carpentry shop, printing plant, etc. greeted the workers and asked them about their jobs. This is in keeping with his leadership philosophy that you have to "go out" to the ends of the organization. One worker who has worked a long time in one of the Vatican shops the pope visited said he could not remember a pope ever visiting there and meeting with the workers.
It appears that Pope Francis practices a form of servant leadership. While servant leadership is an age old concept, in modern times this style of leadership became popular through the writings of Robert K. Greenleaf in the 1970's. Unlike the leader who bases behavior on power and authority, the servant leader shares power and authority. He or she is concerned with the situation and needs of those led. Among the characteristics of the servant leader one finds empathy in understanding the perspectives and feelings of others, support to help others grow and emphasis on building community among
“Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me a simple, humble laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. The fact that the Lord knows how to work and to act even with insufficient instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers. In the joy of the Risen Lord, confident of his unfailing help, let us move forward. The Lord will help us, and Mary, His Most Holy Mother, will be on our side. Thank you.”
through the ranks of the church and had the utmost respect of the people of
Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices that augments the lives of individuals, builds better organizations, and creates a more just and caring world, they put the team first, and themselves second (MindTools, 2015). Servant leaders are able to demonstrate their traits through interaction with followers and other leaders within the organization. The characteristics of servant leaders include their commitment to the growth of people, stewardship, and building community, and provide leaders with the opportunity to experience change and to invite followers to change (Savage-Austin & Honeycutt 2011). Servant leadership encourages leaders and followers to ‘raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality’, and set their leadership focus: follower’s first, organizations second, their own needs last (Sendjaya, Sarros, & Santora, 2008). The servant leader focuses on the needs of others to include team members.
Pope John Paul II was one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. Pope John Paul II had a rough life growing up. He was the only one left alive in his family at age 20. He also lived in Poland during the Nazi occupation of Poland. These events led to him being a great and very strong leader. He was not a shy leader that very often spoke his mind about his beliefs. His motto “Totally Yours” shows that he was a very open person. While Pope he held firm orthodox stances. Pope John Paul II has done many thing to effect the Catholic Church in the 20th Century. He...
JOHN PAUL II was the first non-Italian pope since 1523, whose energetic, active approach to his office, unprecedented world travel, and firm religious conservatism have enhanced the importance of the papacy in both the Roman Catholic church and the non-Catholic world. The pope is also the head of the independent state of Vatican City.
After serving in several parishes and becoming a well-known religious face in Poland, St. John Paul II became the bishop of Ombi. During the six year time period that his holiness was the Bishop of Ombi, he achieved one of his life’s major accomplishments: he became one of the leading thinkers on the Vatican II council. While he was on the Vatican II council, John Paul contributed to two very important documents: The Decree on Religious Freedom and The Pastoral Constitution on the Church.... ... middle of paper ...
Servant leadership was a term that was first used by Keifner Greenleaf(1970) in his first essay, The Servant as Leader (as cited by Crippen, C., 2005). Greenleaf based his essay on his belief that a servant leader is a servant first, and explained that it would begin with the natural urge to serve and then the leader would make a conscious choice to become a leader, in doing so he makes the choice to ensure that others needs are met first (2005 ). As a servant leader develops he should always keep aware of those who he serves and strive to ensure that they are becoming healthier, wiser, freer, have an increase in autonomous, and are become more like servants themselves (2005). Leaders and organizations can use the principles of servant leadership to frame decisions, and service that include focus on the community, care of others and quality services (Waterman, R., 2011). Watermen states that working to higher purpose increases standards, integrity and should lead the followers through supports, shared visions and bring followers together in toward a common purpose to provide service to others.
Wilkes, C. G. Jesus on Leadership: Timeless Wisdom on Servant Leadership. Carol Stream, Illnois: Tyndale House, 1998.
Firstly, Francis was not really supposed to do missionary work, until one of their companions in the Society of Jesus became ill, which led to Xavier being sent to Goa,
Robert Clinton states “The central task of leadership is influencing God’s people toward God’s purposes” (Clinton, 1988). George Barna defines a Christain Leader as “someone who is called by God to lead; leads with and through Christlike character; and demonstrates the functional competencies that permit effective leadership to take place” (Barna, 1997). It is a shame we as Christians fail to recognize that Christ would have us be leaders in more than the church.
As of today, there have been 265 Popes in direct succession to Peter. The position of Pope was established by Christ and the office has been maintained in an apostolic manner since the time of Christ. Although the Church has fragmented since the time of Christ with various leadership centers emerging, the apostolic line of succession in the Church is seated in Rome until this very day. Many throughout time have tried to rationalize away and deny the authority and structure of the Church as established by Jesus. In my heart I know that Catholic Church is the Church established by Jesus and has maintained a clear line of apostolic leadership to this very day.
Hanna Monahan 10/23/14 Theology Pope Francis called the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which was held in Vatican City from October 5-19, 2014, on the topic of "Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization". Pope Paul VI established the first Synod of bishops on September 15, 1965 in an attempt to make greater use of the bishops’ assistance in providing for the good of the Universal Church. Pope Francis had many reasons for calling the Synod. There were many issues that were discussed and debated during the Synod. As with any hierarchy, there is controversy and politics involved throughout the decision making process.
God is the focal point for spiritual gifts, talents, and training for leadership. The disciples were trained by Jesus. He did not take disciples into a classroom but He taught by examples.9 Many times the disciples were put in situations by Jesus to help them learn on-the-job. Even in missions, leaders cannot be prepared for every circumstance that may arise; however; with his talents, spiritual gifts, and the Holy Spirit, one can have the resources necessary to be successful. With one’s failures, spiritual gifts, and talents, the Holy Spirit will use these things to train leaders as they continue to aspire in
These current steps have won Pope Francis a lot of praise and recognition. Forbes has recently ranked Pope Francis the fifth most powerful person in the world. A 2016 WIN/Gallup International poll showed that Pope Francis is the most popular leader in the world. Fifty-four percent of people around the world have a favorable view of the Pontiff while only twelve percent have an unfavorable view. His plus 41 percent net favorability rating is higher than any other world leader.
How was the pope elected? The Pope is the head of the Catholic church. Technically, the only requirements of becoming pope are that you be male and a practicing Catholic. This leaves a pretty wide field, but popes for the last 600 years have been cardinals who are elected in a papal conclave by other cardinals. Become pope by starting as a priest and working your way up through the Catholic hierarchy until you are elected by your peers.