Reading+12



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Reading 12 Sustaining Catholic Educational Leaders Dr Anne Benjamin P1     ….the personal aspects of sustaining leadership have been largely neglected. Yet the way we live, and particularly the work-life balance is a huge factor in our health and happiness, in our relationships and our effectiveness in our professional lives. P2     The focus of this paper is the imperative for those in leadership roles in any aspect of Catholic education to manage their roles strategically. P3     The reality is not “a balance” but “balancing”…..Like the washing up, it is not done once for all, but is a constant process of focus and re-naming priorities and re-focus. If the role is one with responsibilities for extended availability, or less defined hours, then the balancing is even more active. P4     An essential tool for me early on became the regular pause to refocus the agenda…I need to regularly stop to rename the “big rock” and ensure there is space for them….And now the “big rocks’ include the personal, the spiritual, the physical, the relational, the aesthetic, etc, as well as the professional: all elements of good health, wellbeing, sanity. P5     The constant re-focusing of priorities requires that one has a very clear view of what is important, of what is of value. Making space for what one values has been a useful tool in managing a working life. P6     I suspect that one element of contemporary educational leaders’ lives which does not always attract its due space and value is that of exercise and physical well-being. Yet physical health is an important part of self-care, and the consequences of our not attending to exercise and physical wellbeing can be literally crippling. What message do we give as leaders if we constantly place professional duties above our spouses, children, friends and other family members? P7     It is about balancing the things which I value and creating space for them. Be part of a fellowship who shares your values and beliefs. SE cannot exist outside of community. Nor can we be sustained without a community of mutual regard and shared values….and part of living a balanced life is to make sure we leave enough good quality time to nurture those relationships, and to nurture those very special people. I believe that one of the secrets to living a balanced life is to always make time for some small service to others. In the hurley-burley of a frantic lifestyle, - a life out of balance, - acts of kindness can be early victims. It is easy to say, “I’m doing enough in my role. I’m too busy to help others in my spare time.” But what a difference even a small kind deed makes to the person who receives it! P8     The fact is that leaders in Catholic education are in roles which usually give them great energy. It is work which we love doing; work that we passionately believe in’ work which is privileged, not least of all for the quality of those with whom we work. Nonetheless, and maybe because of this, it is absolutely essential to view our roles as // roles //. We are ** not ** the role. To fall into that thinking is to go down the path of pathology. P9     Do we leave work to go home to get on with the rest of life, or do we go home to recover from work? What is more appropriate for a leader in a Catholic agency? One of the most useful ways of sustaining a balanced life is through ongoing learning and reflection….We always need to deepen our understanding of all aspects of our work, - the theological, spiritual, educational, administrative and financial. P11 Leadership has a responsibility to nurture the leadership of others, and to nurture others in their leadership. P12 Ministry is a public activity; it is inspired by the Spirit working through an individual; it is exercised on behalf of the community, and by implication, therefore, is authorized by the community; its purpose is the realization of the kingdom. The implication for those in leadership roles in Catholic education is that in sustaining others in ministry is a public work on behalf of the whole Catholic Church community. P13 Routine formalities such as role statements and ongoing feedback are important supports for those in any ministry, and that they contribute to the health of the ministry and the wellbeing of the ecclesial communities in which people serve. P15 ….one of the most important ways for those in leadership positions to sustain and nurture leadership in Catholic education is through pertinent and timely and ongoing professional development. There are as many ways to achieve this creatively as there is the willingness to imagine. Leaders need to model of others what they believe about their own ministry of leadership. P16 What messages to leaders give to women and men throughout the organisation about striving for an authenticity with Catholic beliefs about the dignity of the individual, the dignity of work and the primacy of the family as a “domestic church’ and the profound centre of growth in faith? Whenever there is such an instance of poor leadership, the sustainability of Catholic educational leadership is undermined. P17 Foundational to this spirituality as Catholic educators P19 We minister from our relationship with God in Jesus more than from any skills and knowledge. P21 Sustaining oneself and others in leadership is an ethical responsibility within ministry. ……the children whom we educate deserve to be taught by adults who are healthy and balanced in their own lives.