Leadership Qualities and Attributes of Mr. Francis. R. D’Souza, in the Service Industry and in the Recreational Business as Event Manager

Mr. Francis R. D’Souza, Manager of the Bareilly Club, was respected for his integrity and honesty by the civil and military authorities and officers who were members of the club.

He did his best to help the poor of St. Alphonsus’ parish and the pastors of his parish materially, morally, and with his knowledge of the place and the authorities. He and his families were exemplary Catholics and good members of the lay apostolate. He had been working for the benefit of the parish since 1943.

In recognition of his social and humanitarian merits, His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, awarded him the Cross pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice on 15th May 1967.

The leadership qualities of Mr.Francis R. D'Souza were based on the fundamentals of integrity; honesty; good thrifty careful planning; long-term planning; and based on corporate social responsibility. These principles were the underlying basis of his continuous efforts and efficiency. Another principle was “Work is worship”. He loved his work. He went about liking and enjoying the job. Watching him at work, seemed like watching him at play. This positive attitude meshed with his dedicated effort to bring successful results in each and every endeavor, he set his hand to.

Major efforts were placed in bringing about and providing the best quality education so that the next generation had a head start in becoming good all-round and upright citizens. He committed to living from a more open learning approach. He chooses to learn at the moment; accept uncertainty; and listen with an open heart.

He was a patient and ardent environmentalist. Under his watchful eye, the Club garden was well maintained, carefully manured, and sumptuously watered. Dried leaves, aged turf, dried twigs, and branches were collected and composted. The beds were sown with timely flowering seeds. The result was a spectacular flowering garden in full bloom. Year after year, at the annual flower show, the garden was adjudged for a prize among the Best-maintained garden category.

The club restaurant provided basic fare prepared in hygienic conditions. Good wholesome fresh food was served. Then, it was standard practice to prepare dishes on order only. These were served at a leisurely pace, while the diner relaxed sipping wine, draught beer, or drink of his choice. And the leftovers; they were not served again. Thankfully the wastage was curtailed by disposing of the orts to the staff and workers

HIS PERSONAL ETHICS:

He readily followed the Golden Rule –“do unto others as you would have others do unto you”

He would faithfully do what he thought was the right thing to do. He would not intentionally cause harm or injury to others. He was ever helpful and supportive to all who happened to come into his company. He lived the truth as he saw it. Such personal ethics established in him an underlying self-assurance of living an upright life; without moral stress; happy in the conclusion that he had done no harm to anyone.

• ADAPTABILITY:-He had built an underlying net of economic safety by purchasing some prime property that would give daily subsistence allowance should some worst scenario unexpectedly unfold. He, therefore, had the adaptability and capacity to react and adjust to new and changing conditions; to adjust to these environments. Although he lived in a period of transition when the country was in continual ferment, he adapted admirably to the changing circumstances and came out unscathed by the dint of his practicality; defusing resistances and avoiding needless confrontations.
• TACT:-He had 'people sensibility. He was sensitive to others' perceptions. He dealt with others thoughtfully and with genuine concern for their feelings. He was sensitive to what is appropriate in a given situation and had the ability to speak, lead, or act without offending. In short, he professed the tact of good manners and courtesy. He had a keen perception of the subtle aspects of other people’s statements, actions, reactions during a conversation. He was discrete with confidential information. At the same time, he could empathize and relate to another person’s feelings, concerns, and attitudes. He treated all neighbors with care and consideration.
• CREDIBILITY:- He believed in simplicity and truthful thinking and living with integrity. This was the character that earned him trust and confidence. He had a cohesive set of moral values and exhibited an astute sense of probity in all his dealings. His geniality and straightforwardness helped in maintaining the integrity of his reputation far and wide. He could be depended upon to deliver on his promises. His habitual desire for truth and accuracy built up his unquestionable personal credibility. Through his study, experience, and hard work, he gained demonstrated competence.

He used to often use the phrase “work is worship” and “ reading maketh a ready man”.

With this positive attitude and hard work, he built his experience and expertise to oversee that all his projects were properly completed.

• PERSUASIVENESS:-He practiced what he preached.

The words of Oliver Goldsmith-“You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips”- applied to him.

His special persuasiveness lay in the fact that he was friendly and helpful at all times. This stood him in good stead when he required a return favor.

• OBJECTIVITY:-His advice and unbiased perspective on the happenings in daily life were appreciated by his peers and superiors. He was fair, impartial, and substantive in his conclusions.
• INITIATIVE: He had an innate capability honed by years of experience to get into realistic action with immediacy. With the aim of getting results, he moved into overdrive and started work quickly, thereby getting a head start. The years and experience helped him anticipate possible contingencies with accuracy and take timely remedial action. He was a great one for managing by walking about and managing by example. He was on his feet all over the establishment - observing, giving orders, correcting faults, and keeping everything in ship shape. He always was alert and went in overdrive to correct in mid-course any possible mishap or pending fault.
• SELF DISCIPLINE:-He was able to exercise suitable restraint over his impulses, emotions, and personal preferences. He had an ample supply of patience to turn circumstances in his favor. He applied himself to the full and completed his daily work in time and kept up to date.
• INTERCOMMUNICATION AND COMMUNICATIONS:-He kept his ears and eyes alert whenever he was in a conversation. He could detect nonverbal signs and interpret accurately the body language. This would let him use his discretion cleverly and to his advantage or at least decrease the losses.
• GENEROSITY:-It starts from the heart. He was generous to a fault. He was satisfied and contented with what he had. He gave his time and support to all those in need. He took on extracurricular duties in the church and in the community as a part of his donation of self-program to support community service. All this was done in humility, without any remuneration or expectation of reward. He was simply giving generously and creating a wealth of goodwill.
• COURAGE:-He had the courage of his convictions. He followed through if his conscience permitted him to act and to court challenge and controversy. He had courage because he based his actions on principles. “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened”, says Billy Graham.
• SERVANTHOOD:-His basic endeavor was to support the poor and the less fortunate. Many people gained from his helping nature. He was a true leader. He put others ahead of his own agenda. He was aware of people’s needs, available to them, and able to accept their desires as important. He performed small acts of kindness in happiness. He showed care and concern for the welfare of others.

Albert Schweitzer has wisely said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the ones among you who will really be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

• VISION:-His vision statement was to serve and support others who were less fortunate than him. He worked without expecting returns but returns he did get- he got his full share of happiness and love of the community.
• POSITIVE ATTITUDE:-He had a positive attitude towards life. He was known for his genial behavior, always with a ready smile on his face, as he went about his daily duties. He motivated himself with motivational literature and inspiring books. His mind was ever active and his feet were commonly moving about.

With Henry Van Dyke, he believed in- “Seize the day. Be glad of life because it gave you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars.”

• DRESS:-makes the man, he would say. He was at all times properly and tidily dressed. Since he was in the service industry and providing recreation in leisure activities, this DRESS SENSE was necessary. Of course, he liked to be dressed up and nattily dressed. And he always wore a happy smile.

• The SMILE was probably his TRADEMARK FEATURE. It was the facial expression that affected his mood and the mood of others around him. They were drawn in by the smile; they became warmer and friendlier and more interested. Yes, smiling triggers the release of chemicals related to happiness. Research tells us our facial expressions can actually cause physiological changes such as skin response and heart rate of people around us. People react physically as well as emotionally to our facial expressions. His smile was infectious and caused a ray of happy sunshine all around. It also improved the ambiance and ratcheted the joy of living.
• TEAM-WORK:-was essential. And though his team was small, he made up for the shortage by having a vast and loyal network of fellow servers, artisans, and entertainers. It was only through teamwork that he was able to deliver quality output time after time. Each detail was carefully planned. In case one failed item, he always kept on hand an alternative support system to be put into effect, so that overall the programs went off satisfactorily. He worked away in HUMILITY in a silent effort, and quiet efficiency for decades. He worked in the tradition of a true Karma Yogi. His good qualities and astute business acumen; his effective work in delivering uplift programs among the poor and in the community, and his fulfilling social corporate responsibility ultimately came to be recognized. Finally, in recognition of his social and humanitarian merits, HIS HOLINESS POPE VI, the supreme pontiff of 1.2 billion Catholics, bestowed on him the honor and distinction by awarding him the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice on May 15, 1967

The Cross Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice (for the Church and the Pontiff), was instituted on July 17, 1888 ( Quod singulari Dei concessu) to mark the priestly golden jubilee of Leo XIII. It was bestowed on those who had contributed in any significant way to the success of the jubilee celebrations and of the Vatican Exhibition organized on that occasion. It has continued to be awarded as a sign of the Pontiff’s recognition of distinguished service to the Church and to the Papacy.

The form of the metal cross, which was originally stamped in gold, silver, and bronze, is today stamped only in gold ( for very important presentations) or gilt plate ( for normal presentations), and the images engraved on it have undergone some the changes. It is now a Greek-shaped four-pointed cross, bearing in the center the images of the Princes of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, and the words “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” and the name of the reigning Pontiff. The Cross is suspended from a yellow and white ribbon and is worn on the left side of the Chest.

The original Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, which was made a permanent distinction in October 1898, was a cross made octangular in form by fleurs-de-lis fixed in the angles of the cross in a special manner. The extremities of the cross were of a slight potency form. In the center of the cross was a small medal with an image of its founder, and encircling the image were the papal words LEO XIII P.M ANNO X. On the reverse side were the papal emblems in the center, and in the circle surrounding the emblem the motto pro ecclesia et Pontifice. On the obverse surface of the cross were comets, which with the fluers-de- lis formed a deep red ribbon with delicate borders in the papal colors.

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Comments welcome at Daria D'Souza@ [email protected] 

Disclaimer: Views expressed in the article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the institutions to which she is affiliated- (P.S: written for a class assignment in Symbiosis about the Leadership Qualities of the persons we admire in our life ...)

About the author: 

Daria D'Souza is a Mechanical Engineering Professional based out of Pune, Maharashtra, India. She has over 13 years of experience with Various Multinational Companies in Supply Chain & Operations - PPC, Purchase & Inventory Mgt, Tendering, Estimations and Costing, Commodity Mgt, Business Development, Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing & Safety Practices, Ethical Sourcing, Business Excellence.

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