By Sem. Levis Oryahebwa
Leadership is a process of inspiring, influencing, and guiding individuals with vision while fostering a positive and supportive environment that promotes growth, innovation, and collaboration. A saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness. According to St. Thomas Aquinas in his De Veritate Catholica 1; ST IaIIae 49.1, virtue is a habit that disposes an agent to perform its proper operation or movement. Leadership comes from God and every leader needs to exercise virtue for good leadership.
Good leadership is a vital component of any successful organization, community, or society. It involves guiding others with wisdom, compassion, and integrity. As governments continue to struggle with the challenges of economic, political and social transformation, there is a great need for effective leadership. In a world where leadership is associated with power and privilege, an enduring wisdom of saints offers an intensely different approach; the one that highly ranks virtue, character and common good. In this article, we will explore the virtues of good leadership as seen through the eyes of saints.
Prudence plays a vital role in leadership. According to St. Thomas Aquinas (an Italian Dominican Friar, priest and scholar who lived 1225-1274 AD), prudence is the “virtue of virtues” for leaders. In his Summa Theologica, Aquinas defines prudence as “the habit of judging and choosing the means that are conducive to the end.” (ST II-II, q. 47, a. 2) A prudent leader would carefully consider the consequences of their actions and makes informed decisions that promote the common good.
Leaders should aim at promoting fairness, equality and righteousness in all aspects of life. St. Augustine, (a catholic theologian, philosopher and Bishop of Hippo who lived 345-430 AD) emphasizes the importance of justice in leadership. In The City of God, he writes, “Justice is the virtue that gives every man his due.” (Book XIX, Chapter 21). A just leader should ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect, regardless of their status or position.
There is need for humility in leadership. St. Francis de Sales (a French bishop, theologian and philosopher who lived from1567-1622 AD) teaches that a good leader would rather be humble. In his book, An Introduction to the Devout Life, he writes, “Humility is the foundation of all virtues.” (Part III, Chapter 14) A humble leader is that one who would recognize their limitations and seek guidance from others, creating a culture of collaboration and openness.
Servant leadership than self–serving leadership. St. Therese of Avilla, (a Camelite nun and mystic 1515-1582 AD), in her The Way of Perfection (chapter 12) teaches that leaders should not seek to dominate others with power and status but serve with humility and empathy. They should use persuasion not coercion in achieving the common good. They should seek God’s will and guidance in decision making. Developing this virtue will help curb the rampant corruption among states.
Integrity as leaders become honest, transparent and morally upright. St. John Paul II (a Roman catholic pope who lived 1920-2005) exhorts us to cherish the importance of integrity in leadership. In his encyclical, Veritatis Splendor, he writes, “Integrity is the virtue that unifies the person and makes them coherent.” (Section 63) A leader with integrity acts in accordance with their values and principles, promoting trust and credibility.
Good leadership is built on virtues such as prudence, justice, humility, discernment, compassion, empowerment, and integrity. By embracing these virtues, leaders can create a positive and productive environment that fosters growth and well-being. As saints remind us, effective leadership is not just about achieving goals, but about serving others and promoting the common good. The saints remind us that leadership is not just a position or title but a vocation.
When we labor to lead in virtue, we become God’s instruments to bring about the well-being and common Good. Let us incorporate these virtues into our leadership style, we can become more effective and inspiring leaders, making a positive impact on those around us. Let us strive to embody these virtues in our own lives, becoming the leaders that others need and deserve.
The writer is a member of St. Paul’s National Seminary – Kinyamatsika / [email protected]
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