The country was buzzing this past week while the Pope was in our land. He is inspiring and demonstrates leadership in so many ways. Five qualities that stand out are:
- Humility Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, says this is the most important characteristic of a Level 5 leader. The Pope skipped the limo for a Fiat and bypassed the Congressional lunch in his honor for lunch with those less fortunate. The White House also opted to forgo the 21 gun salute in recognition of the Pope’s humility.
- Listen/Dialogue The Pope listens and then engages in dialogue. He encouraged the Archbishops and Congressional leaders to be open rather than to talk at each other. He encourages us to engage the person before policy.
- Respect/Dignity He shows these qualities through his service to others from all walks of life. In his speech to the UN staff, he thanked them all, from the cooks, cleaners and maintenance workers to the security personnel, for their quiet and diligent work.
- Authenticity In this day of scripted public figures, the Pope is genuine and speaks from his heart, without a focus group. He walks the talk.
- Caring The Pope encourages a culture of care. His service, openness, tone and desire to reach out to individuals from various backgrounds creates connection.
Regardless of your religion, his message of joy and mercy, supported by his amazing leadership style, encourages us as individuals and leaders, to bring out the best in ourselves and others.