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Caroline Thompson is Head of Heritage and Spirituality with Mercy International Association. She shares a Spiritual Reflection for the Mercy World on Catherine McAuley as a relational leader:
Catherine McAuley, as far as we know, never wrote a book on leadership or attended leadership workshops or seminars. In fact, it is noted that she never set out to be a leader in the first place.
Despite this, Catherine not only led the Baggot Street community with sensitivity, passion and love but also enabled others to take up leadership in the other foundations across Ireland.
When you look at how Catherine McAuley approached leadership, you cannot fail to be amazed at how close her approaches are to contemporary leadership theory. She nurtured the unique gifts of those she worked alongside; she trusted even very young sisters to take up leadership; she practised leadership with kindness; she was people-centred, not rule-centred; she encouraged contemplation and prayer; she remined doggedly on mission; she led by example.
In essence, Catherine was relational. As Mary Wickham rsm notes: one of Catherine’s great gifts as a leader … was her ability to create and foster bonds between her first companions. She was a connector of people … a true linker of the spirit between people … (Storms and Teacups in Listen. Vol 22. No.1. 22).
Leadership must be relational; strong community is built on welcome, hospitality, respect for individual gifts and kindness. Leadership is about recognising, nurturing and celebrating the gifts we all bring to an organisation. These are the lessons of Catherine McAuley.
Relational leadership builds strong communities, and strong communities help people feel included and valued. This is a gift our fractured world so sorely needs at this time; role models of justice and compassion; voices prepared to be counter-cultural, to stand with the poor and oppressed as Catherine did.
Who are the Mercy Leaders in your Place?
How are such leaders best nurtured?
ENDS