10 Characteristics of Franciscan Leadership

1. 10 Characteristics of Franciscan Leadership A contemporary approach based on a case study of Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF

2. Focus of the Case Study The factors that led to Carney’s selection as president of SBU and the challenges she has faced since her installation. The effect of the basketball scandal at the University and the ways that Carney has tried to deal with the aftermath of the scandal. The role of ethics and ethical behavior in presidential leadership and in Carney’s own leadership style. Carney’s leadership style as perceived by Carney herself and how it is perceived and experienced by her closest co-workers. The influence of Carney’s Franciscanism and gender in her leadership style.

3. Jana Nidiffer, Ph.D. Emergent Leadership: “Emergent leaders are collaborative, empowering, connective, communicative, authentic, and team-oriented” (Nidiffer, 2001, p 111).

4. Jean Lau Lau Chin, Ph.D. “emphasizes the objectives of leadership as promoting a social agenda and defining leadership as empowerment. When we identify the different roles that leaders play, including that of (a) stewardship of an organization’s resources, (b) creating the vision, (c) social advocacy and change, and (d) promoting policy, we need to take a feminist perspective to examine transformational leadership as empowerment to promote a feminist agenda.” (Vol. 28.1 2004, p 7).

5. Feminist Critique of Leadership Theories most traditional theories are primarily based on and promote a masculine model of leadership, women approach leadership in ways that are different from men that is, they tend to be more collaborative, democratic, and egalitarian, an important aspect of the feminist critique is the need for empowerment, both for the leader and for all the stakeholders, inequitable and oppressive power structures need to identified and dismantled and, there is a need for a new model of leadership that is based on ability rather than on gender, race, or class.

6. Margaret’s Description of her own Leadership Growing or developing as a result of her experience. Attempts to be Franciscan or evangelical. Based on servant-leadership (washing of the feet). A balancing act. An challenge to maintain good communication.

7. “The honest dilemma for me is that I’m trying to figure out the elements I want to preserve from a purely Franciscan leadership style which I could exercise as a leader in a Franciscan community where everybody shared a language, a spirituality, and a theological vision… So what I’m looking for is: What are the aspects of being a servant leader - which means that you’re not dictatorial, you don’t put yourself forward, you are collaborative and you seek to exalt the gifts of your co-workers.” (Margaret Carney, OSF, May 9, 2006)

8. Co-workers Description A true “Servant-Leader” Strong. Collaborative. Informed. Open to learning. Communicative. Compassionate and fair.

9. 10 Characteristics of Franciscan Leadership Respect for the Individual Empowerment Collaboration Communication Ethical Worldview Commitment to the Growth of Others Informed Decision Making Open to Learning Compassionate, Fair, and Strong Servant

10. 1. Respect for the Individual A Franciscan leader instinctively cultivates respect for individuals based on the belief and recognition that all are sons and daughters of God, created in the divine image. Edward Bastian President of Delta Airlines Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science Degree - 2008

11. 2. Empowerment A Franciscan leader becomes empowered by striving to empower others. St. Bonaventure Service Project New Orleans – Hurricane Katrina

12. 3. Collaboration A Franciscan leader invites others to share and actively participate in decision-making and in the execution of common projects. Fr. Dan Riley, OFM

13. 4. Communication A Franciscan leader strives to have open, honest, and consistent communication with co-workers and other stakeholders. Bro. Edward Coughlin, OFM

14. 5. Ethical Worldview A Franciscan leader bases her or his behavior and decision-making on a deeply seated value system and does what is ethical because it is ethical. Sr. Ingrid Peterson, OSF Franciscan Institute Medal Outstanding Contribution to Franciscan Scholarship

15. 6. Commitment to the Growth of Others A Franciscan leader is committed to assisting others to grow and develop as people and as professionals. St. Bonaventure University MBA Group Beijing, China - May 29, 2007

16. 7. Informed Decision Making In making decisions, a Franciscan leader: (1) defines the situation or problem, (2) gathers the necessary information, (3) confers with those involved and affected by the decision, (4) attempts a consensus, and (5) makes the decision if a consensus cannot be achieved. Sr. Alice Gallin, OSU Interim President 1 July 1993- 31 Jan 1994

17. 8. Open to learning A Franciscan leader recognizes that he or she may not have previous experience relevant to every decision but is open to learn through experience, consultation and ongoing personal education. Four Directors of the Franciscan Institute: Fr. Conrad Harkins, OFM, Bro. Edward Coughlin, OFM Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, Fr. Michael Cusato, OFM

18. 9. Compassionate, Fair and Strong A Franciscan leader is compassionate and fair, but knows how and when to be decisive. Fr. Dominic Monti, OFM 150th Anniversary of the University

19. 10. Servant A Franciscan leader is a servant leader based on the example of Christ who washed the feet of his disciples. Before After – and during

20. 10 Characteristics of Franciscan Leadership Respect for the Individual Empowerment Collaboration Communication Ethical Worldview Commitment to the Growth of Others Informed Decision Making Open to Learning Compassionate, Fair, and Strong Servant

21. Franciscan Leadership

22. 1. What quality(ies) of Franciscan leadership resonate with your life and ministry? 2. What might happen if Franciscans unified their leadership to become a more “disturbing presence” in our world today? 3. What insights/questions did this presentation raise for you?