Transformative Lay Leadership

“You don’t need a title to be a leader!” This statement is the title of a presentation on transformative lay leadership I gave two weeks ago. I borrowed it from Mark Sanborn’s book, You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader. What does Mark Sanborn mean by asserting that you don’t need a title to be a leader? First and foremost, it means that leadership is defined by influence.

– Do you shape your own life and career?

– Do you affect the quality of others’ experiences?

– Do you inspire or influence others?

– Do you work to achieve specific goals by collaborating with or coordinating the efforts of others?

“If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, whether you realize it or not, you are a leader,” states Sanborn.

I could not agree more. In fact, this was my mantra when I began working as a pastor. I often reminded myself that I could make a difference in people’s lives, even if I weren’t a bishop. Titles mean little if no effective work or ministry is accomplished in the parish or archdiocese. A friend who has worked alongside priests and bishops frequently emphasizes this viewpoint: “There are many titled leaders,” he says, “who do not exhibit strong leadership or inspire others to exercise their gifts.

What are the key characteristics of titled and untitled leaders?

Titled and untitled leaders:

– Believe they can positively shape their lives and careers.

– Lead through their relationships with people, rather than exerting control over them.

– Collaborate rather than dominate.

– Persuade others to contribute rather than issue orders.

– Inspire others to follow them out of respect and commitment, rather than fear and compliance.

You don’t need to hold a high-ranking position to lead, because leadership with a “little l” is about the small things we can do to positively influence others—our colleagues, friends, and communities.

I witnessed this during my sister Rina’s funeral services a month ago. My sister Rina was not prominent in her community or company. Yes, she was a key sales manager. Still, her influence and impact on the lives of others became evident through the large number of people who attended her wake and Funeral Mass, as well as the heartfelt stories shared about her during and after the services. Many individuals, whom I did not expect to speak so highly of her, surprised me with their comments about how her kindness and treatment of them had made a difference in their lives. Bishop Alex’s sister remarked that Rina’s funeral services were the best she had ever attended for someone who wasn’t a church or government official.

Friends, transformative leadership inspires and impacts people’s lives, making them feel important and valued. It has nothing to do with fame. Consider how many well-known individuals in politics fail to inspire us. As Sanborn states, “In my opinion, fame is based on what we get in life, but true greatness is based on what we give. It is a contribution through action.”

Here at Incarnation Church, I hope we’re fostering authentic leadership among the laity. I genuinely believe that vibrancy and vitality in the parish depend on the collaborative leadership of the pastor, other priests, and lay people. We can significantly impact our parish life and other people’s lives. It’s not just the big projects we do but also the small and ordinary ways we accomplish that would bring life, joy, warmth, and faith to our parish.

Blessings!