Friday, 13 February Issue 2015/03 the RECTOR
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Friday, 13 February Enlightened leadership is spiritual … the domain of awareness where we experience values like truth, Issue 2015/03 goodness, beauty, love and compassion. – Deepak Chopra, author & public speaker THE RECTOR The Bible is full of sage advice about virtuous conduct and good Just after the Queensland election was announced, the leaders of the leadership. For example, the Book of Proverbs (6:16-19) describes political parties were asked to commit to four principles of some things that disappoint the Lord: accountability and good governance put forward by former Supreme An arrogant look Court judge, Tony Fitzgerald QC. The principles describe what is desired from leaders chosen to serve others in public life: A dishonest tongue Hands that murder the innocent Govern for the peace, welfare and good government of the State; A heart that devises malevolent plots Make all decisions and take all actions, including public Feet that race into mischief appointments, in the public interest without regard to personal, An untrustworthy witness who utters deceits party political or other immaterial considerations; One who sows discord among colleagues Treat all people equally without permitting any person or corporation special access or influence; and Two reflections were offered about leadership over the holidays. In his Promptly and accurately inform the public of its reasons for all Christmas message to those who serve in the Vatican administration, significant or potentially controversial decisions and actions. Pope Francis outlined 15 ailments that can undermine an organisation: In the same vein as the Pope’s and Fitzgerald’s lists, the seven social sins Acting immortal or immune to improvement. A leadership group proposed in 1925 by the Hindu activist, Mohandas Karamchand that is not self-critical, that does not stay up to date, that does not seek to Gandhi (1869-1948) is similarly helpful: better itself, is an ailing one. Wealth Without Work considers the grey area between an honest Spending too much time working. There is a time for everything … day’s hard work and unfairly profiting from another’s labour. Losing inner peace. The sickness of mental and spiritual hardening. Pleasure Without Conscience reflects on indulgent and dangerous Planning too extensively with limited action. One falls prey to this leisure activities which cost society and diminish personalities illness because it is easier and more convenient to settle into static and such as irresponsible substance use and sexual gratification. unchanging positions. Knowledge without Character reminds us that we learn so we can Failing to collaborate. The body loses its harmonious functionality and its contribute to the community and loving relationships rather than temperance, becoming an orchestra of cacophony. to accumulate wealth and status. Suffering from spiritual Alzheimer’s. This is forgetfulness of the history Business without Ethics questions those who price above the market, of Salvation, of the personal history with the Lord, of the First love. sell inferior products, make false claims, or who put profit ahead Being a braggart and measuring yourself against others. The of the needs of people. ailment of rivalry and vainglory: when appearances, the colour of one’s robes, Science without Humanity ponders our duty to care for and respect insignia and honours become the most important aim in life. all life. We have technologies that threaten the earth and its Living a double life. Existential split personality: the condition of those populations. These harms are immeasurable unless we who live a double life, fruit of the hypocrisy typical of the mediocre, and the understand and are affected by these dangers. progressive spiritual emptiness that cannot be filled by grades or honours. Religion without Sacrifice reflects on a faith that is lived out with Gossiping. It is the sickness of the cowardly who, not having the courage to generosity, compassion, respect, sacrificial love and giving without speak directly to the people involved, instead speak behind their backs. counting the cost. Idolising superiors. The malady of deifying leaders is typical of those who Politics without Principle considers how we bestow power on those court their superiors, with the hope of receiving their benevolence. we trust to do the right thing. Partisan politics may foster loyalty Lacking compassion and empathy. The disease of indifference towards and victory but not at the expense of truth and goodness. others arises when each person thinks only of himself, and loses the sincerity His grandchild, Arun Ghandi, added an eighth – Rights without and warmth of personal relationships. Responsibilities – to remind us to shoulder our responsibilities in caring Being theatrically grim. Those who believe that to be serious requires them for others rather than simply protecting our self-interests. to paint their faces with melancholy and severity, and to treat others – especially those they consider inferior – with rigidity, hardness and arrogance. These reflections on good leadership are helpful to use as an Examen Being too materialistic. The sickness of accumulation: when the apostle for ourselves, as they apply to groups in most work or educational seeks to fill an existential emptiness of the heart by accumulating material contexts. The Examen helps us consider what we want to stand for goods, not out of necessity but simply to feel secure. and how we want to be. It also saves us from the trap of blaming others unfairly. For the Christian, the best example of leadership is Forming cliques. The ailment of closed circles: when belonging to a club that of Jesus’ servant leadership. May we be a support to all in becomes stronger than belonging to the Body and even to Christ Himself. appreciating and living the way of servant leadership. Being an exhibitionist. This is the illness of those who seek insatiably to multiply their power. Fr Peter Hosking SJ THE PRINCIPAL The College’s strategic planning process – Quo Vadimus? – is well We should not be afraid to go against the current, even if that seems difficult. under way. This process is designed to evaluate the current strengths To be free, to always choose the good is challenging, but it will make you into and needs of the College and to set a simple, strategic direction over someone who is strong, and who can face life with courage and steadfastness the next three years. – Pope Francis, 2013 Since beginning the process last year, the following developments † Wisdom: Wise young men who seek understanding and the truth have taken place: should be our charge as a school. This virtue picks up words in An online survey conducted by the College had 536 responses the consultations such as: intellectually competent, imagination, from parents, Old Boys, staff and students; creative thinkers, innovative, curiosity about everything, seeking The College conducted 10 different consultation workshops with understanding and truth, independent thinkers, love of learning, over 350 participants from various groups within the St Aloysius’ reflective, discerning, attentive, wise decisions, seeking the community including its key leaders; deeper, diligent, critical thinkers, learned, finding God in all A Data Team of staff at the College has been collecting things; and wise in the ways they use their learning for the quantitative data on the College’s religious, academic, pastoral common good, eloquent and truthful in what they say of and co-curricular programs; themselves, the relations between people, and the world. The College Executive has met regularly to review the feedback So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in and data. They have now commenced the process of developing My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and refining strategies to meet the needs of the College as and the truth will make you free.” – John 8:31-32 revealed in data. † Gratitude: When we believe our life to be a gift, it changes The extensive consultation process has confirmed many dimensions everything. This virtue picks up words in the consultations such of the College that are deeply valued by the community. These as: joyful, appreciation, aesthetical, grateful for their own gifts, include its Catholic, Jesuit identity; the opportunities for faith grateful for the gift of other people, grateful for the blessings of formation in both the Junior and Senior schools; the academic- each day. orientation of the school; the priority it places upon a holistic education for boys; the intimacy of the community and that, because Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others of its size, students are known and cared for; the authentic traditions – Cicero that have lasted for over a century; and the generosity of the College’s † Compassion: Jesus taught us to love God and love one another. teachers and parents in the education of each student. This virtue picks up words in the consultations such as: generous Feedback also suggested some important areas of development for the service of others, humility, magnanimity, people for others, future of the College. These include a more strategic and integrated sacrificial, loving, and large-hearted, ascetical, community approach to technology in the classroom; prioritising the central role of building, charitable, kind, respectful, selflessness, generous with teachers in the learning process; review and reform of the pastoral care their gifts, becoming men and women for others, compassionate system in the Senior School; more explicit understanding of the towards others – near and far – especially the less fortunate; College’s expectations for student behaviour; an expansion of certain loving by just actions and forgiving words. Faith & Justice programs; greater support for and development of There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried coaches in the sporting program; more efficient and comprehensive – Archbishop Oscar Romero, 1980 systems of communication with parents; and the development of a † Justice: The Gospel calls us to pursue the Kingdom of God.