A tale of two leaders

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“Humility, that low, sweet root, from which all heavenly virtues shoot” Thomas More (1477-1535)

News

Last week Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis, head of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics; the following day, Xi Jinping assumed the presidency of China, a nation of 1.3 billion people.  Two new leaders have stepped onto the world stage, one spiritual, one political. 

Xi is a ‘princeling’, born into a political elite and groomed for leadership; his authority is based on being head of the Communist party and commander-in-chief of China’s armed forces.  Francis came from a working class, immigrant family and rose through the ranks of the church; his authority is expressed mainly through his example and teaching. 

Both men want to show they are in touch with ordinary people.  President Xi recently visited a poor village, chatting to peasant farmers and tasting their food.  The new Pope has a long track record of solidarity with the poor; consistent with this, he will celebrate mass on Maundy Thursday in a juvenile prison in Rome, where he will wash the feet of 12 young offenders.

Xi Jinping seeks to reform China’s economy, making growth more green and more equitable, and clamping down on corruption.  Pope Francis likewise needs to reform the Catholic Church, which is still weakened by its handling of sex abuse charges and revelations of corruption inside the Vatican. 

The Chinese president has a transactional leadership style in an authoritarian political system, so change will be imposed from the top down, and compliance achieved through rewards and punishments.  In contrast, the new Pope leads relationally, and his radical humility quietly challenges attitudes, and inspires people to relate differently towards others.    

Who has more power, the President or the Pope?  And whose reforms will bring the deeper, more lasting change?  Might it all hinge on their approach to leadership and relational skills?

Read on…

Read Jim Collins’ classic article in Harvard Business Review about ‘Level 5 leaders’ – those rare people who combine deep humility and fierce resolve in order to lead an organisation from good to great  – here.   

Walk the talk

Humility and a firm resolve are valuable for every kind of leader; which of these two do you need to cultivate more?

The last word

From the Bible, 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 3: “Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.”

Abusing abuse?

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“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”  Abraham Lincoln

News

The flood of sex abuse allegations in the news media since the Jimmy Savile case broke last year shows little sign of abating.  Does it suggest society is getting more depraved, or are more victims finding the courage to speak up about it?  Or is it the press which is giving it more emphasis?

It would not be surprising if inappropriate sexual behaviour is increasing, on the same trajectory as the sexualisation of society.  We cannot expect men (especially) to be bombarded with erotic images in a culture preoccupied with sex, and then not struggle at times with finding a legitimate expression for what that produces.

At the same time, for the last 50 years our society has been empowering women (especially) not to accept sexual harassment.  It is quite right to insist that women and girls (as well as men and boys) are treated with respect as persons and never exploited as objects of someone else’s desires.   So it would not be surprising if victims of sexual abuse are also finding a stronger voice.

But a third current is compounding the issue: accusations of sexual abuse are becoming weapons in the media against whole institutions.  The BBC, the Roman Catholic church, and the Liberal Democratic party have all received such treatment recently.  All too quickly the wrongdoing of an individual subtly shifts to an implication that there may be a whole culture of abuse, which can taint an entire institution – and indirectly all the other people who work there.

Sexual abuse is always wrong, and managing it is also sensitive and difficult.  Just because we are overcoming our reluctance to talk about it openly, let’s be sure not to damage even more relationships through careless accusations and extrapolated guilt.

Read on

Journalist Brendan O’Neill argues that accusations of sexual impropriety have become the key currency of political and moral infighting; read his article here.   

Walk the talk

Most cases of abuse (of any kind) take place because there is a misuse of power in the relationship.  Are you vulnerable to someone taking advantage of you because they have power over you – or vice versa?  If so what might you do to bring more parity to the relationship? 

The last word

From the Bible, Mark chapter 10, verses 42-43: “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant…”