Lead Differently - Bearing the Weight of the Cross

Leadership from any perspective is not for the timid. Leaders do not defer responsibility. We embrace it. We take responsibility for behaviors and outcomes that we may not have been directly involved in. We see conflict as an opportunity. As the adage goes, "never waste a crisis."

As Catholic Leaders, we see conflict, crisis even, as an opportunity to discern God's presence in the moment. That pause, that moment of reflection, allows us to lead towards that presence. Any bearing of the cross is made lighter knowing that we are walking towards the one who has bore it previously.

To bear the cross, to fall, to endure ridicule, to be spat on, to be pulled back up...only to take on the weight again, and to accept help from bystanders... This is to lead differently, to lead as He led.

We must have the courage, the fortitude, the humility...and the resulting confidence to surrender to the movement of the Spirit. To walk through the doors that God opens for us. To exercise our agency only after the discernment that ensures we are surrendering to the spirit of consolation

When "crisis" presents itself, the heartbeat races, thought processes speed up, mistakes happen if you act in that moment. We must give ourselves time to bear the weight of the cross. To endure and move with the immersive pain that attacks our ego. We must intentionally mute the impulse to control, to position ourselves, to deflect.

By doing so, we can lead with the wisdom of experience in our back pocket. We can lead with a complete understanding of the impact of our actions both past, present, and those around the corner.

Bearing the weight of the cross will allow us to better predict and prepare for outcomes in future circumstances.

"Never waste a crisis" - Indeed. But, let's be aware of how quickly we pivot before process the reality of the moment, the pain felt by those we serve, and the care we can and should provide for those affected by the "crisis." Knowing, it very well may be possible, that we might not be called to remove that pain, but to live it with them.

Lead Differently. Lead as He led.