5 min read

Ann Rennie  |  12 February 2020

On social media, companies will pay millions for the right influencers to talk about their products. But the most important influencers aren’t measured by ‘likes’ or ‘followers’, but by the power of their words and actions.

Leadership is not easy and today, more than ever, public figures are under constant scrutiny. The tone of a speech, a colourful response, a late night Tweet, general obtuseness – these missteps are amplified and dissected by a ravenous audience.

There is little room for kindness or occasional mindful withdrawal when everything becomes a competition to stay at the top, to be the best, to prove oneself, to be available all the time.

Thankfully, though, there are leaders who make the world a better place. Sometimes they are leaders in great public roles, such as Pope Francis, and sometimes they are leaders in the private capacity of loving and leading a family. Sometimes they are leaders, such as Brigidine Sister Brigid Arthur, who rally others passionately because they see institutional injustice denying the human rights of those who legitimately seek asylum. Sometimes they are teachers in the classroom, encouraging and enabling the next generation.

DO THE BEST FOR OTHERS

Good leadership emanates from a desire to do the best for others. It not about prestige or power, but about influence.

Influence is such an unmeasurable quality yet its reach is vast and profound. The right influencer can change hearts and minds and create popular swells of feeling that can rewrite cultures and countries. The right influencer can pass on the great narratives of the human story, upholding the best of what has been and planning for the best of what could be. The influence of parents, mentors, the religiously vowed or those who have dared to speak up in the face of conflict or derision can change the course of our lives.

The right influencers can change history. But before they do anything to lead others, these influencers must know how to lead themselves.  This means taking the time to look internally and admit to both their weaknesses and their strengths.

REFLECTION AND DISCERNMENT

Over time and practice, they build the capacity for reflection and discernment. They do not have to act impulsively or relentlessly self-promote. They do not need the validation of ‘likes’. Rather, the community benefits from their quiet wisdom and consequent action. Ultimately, the right influencers are first honest with themselves.

This is the leadership we are hoping to find in the Catholic Church as the 2020 Plenary Council is unpacked and we take steps to discern what the Holy Spirit is saying to the people of Australia at this time and in this place. We need good leaders at all levels if we are to thrive.

Good leaders listen and learn. They have humility enough to know when they need advice and humility enough to admit they do not know everything. Good leaders are attuned to communal realities and communal dreams and create pathways forward that offer hope.

RANGE OF OPINIONS SOUGHT

They look for a diversity of contributions so that a richness is encouraged, rather than a stultifying sameness. They generate a sense of optimism and growth because people feel that they are part of something purposeful and generative; something that gives life meaning. They have a vision that others want to follow.

I gladly follow the lead of Sister Joan Chittister whose saying below is sticky-taped to my desk: Don’t be afraid to speak. Be afraid of what will happen to the whole truth if you don’t.

I am hoping and praying that we find the leaders we need to influence the next chapter of the distinctive Australian Catholic story.

Used with permission form 'Australian Catholics'