Fr. Joseph Thekkedathu was a reputed Church historian. A man of slender frame and few words he had a prodigious memory. He was considered a just and upright person. Apart from his classes which were very much appreciated, what the seminarians remember about him is how he apologized to them for some decisions he had made as the superior of the community and tried to firmly implement, which he later realized was not to the best interests of the community. His apology raised his esteem among the seminarians. Humility has a power, all its own!
Why are Leadership Studies Dealing with Humility?
In the past it was not common to associate humility with leadership. However, this is changing. Some of the reasons why research on leadership is now dealing with humility are the following:
- Interdependence and the need to cooperate: Today, more than before, organizations and marketplaces are becoming interdependent. Let us take the simple example of a school. Earlier, the principal and the teachers could manage a school more or less well. Today they are dependent on agencies that sell the books, shops that provide the uniform, organizations that run the school bus, different technicians to deal with the various gadgets they use, the electricity board, the water authorities and a host of other service-providing agencies. This calls for a capacity to collaborate and elicit collaboration. Humility is a help for this as it enables a person to change one’s views and be open to the views of others.
Jose Kuttianimattathil, sdb
To read the entire article, click Subscribe
