10 CHARACTERISTICS

OF FRANCISCAN LEADERSHIP

A contemporary approach based

on a case study of Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF

Focus of the Case Study

1. The factors that led to Carney’s selection as president of SBU and the challenges she has faced since her installation.

2. The effect of the basketball scandal at the University and the ways that Carney has tried to deal with the aftermath of the scandal.

3. The role of ethics and ethical behavior in presidential leadership and in Carney’s own leadership style.

4. Carney’s leadership style as perceived by Carney herself and how it is perceived and experienced by her closest co-workers.

5. The influence of Carney’s Franciscanism and gender in her leadership style.

Jana Nidiffer, Ph.D.

Emergent Leadership: “Emergent leaders are collaborative, empowering, connective, communicative, authentic, and team-oriented”

(Nidiffer, 2001, p 111).

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).

Feminist Critique of Leadership Theories

1. most traditional theories are primarily based on and promote a masculine model of leadership,

2. women approach leadership in ways that are different from men that is, they tend to be more collaborative, democratic, and egalitarian,

3. an important aspect of the feminist critique is the need for empowerment, both for the leader and for all the stakeholders,

4. inequitable and oppressive power structures need to identified and dismantled and,

5. there is a need for a new model of leadership that is based on ability rather than on gender, race, or class.

Margaret’s Description of her own Leadership

1. Growing or developing as a result of her experience.

2. Attempts to be Franciscan or evangelical.

3. Based on servant-leadership (washing of the feet).

4. A balancing act.5. An challenge to maintain good

communication.

“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)

Co-workers Description

1. A true “Servant-Leader” 2. Strong.3. Collaborative.4. Informed.5. Open to learning.6. Communicative.7. Compassionate and fair.

10 CHARACTERISTICS OF FRANCISCAN LEADERSHIP

1.Respect for the Individual2.Empowerment3.Collaboration4.Communication5.Ethical Worldview6.Commitment to the Growth of

Others7.Informed Decision Making8.Open to Learning9.Compassionate, Fair, and Strong10.Servant

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 BastianPresident of Delta Airlines

Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science Degree - 2008

2. Empowerment

A Franciscan leader becomes empowered by striving to empower others.

St. Bonaventure Service ProjectNew Orleans – Hurricane Katrina

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

4. Communication

A Franciscan leader strives to have open, honest, and consistent communication with co-workers and other stakeholders.

Bro. Edward Coughlin, OFM

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, OSFFranciscan Institute Medal

Outstanding Contribution to Franciscan Scholarship

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 GroupBeijing, China - May 29, 2007

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

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

9. Compassionate, Fair and Strong

A Franciscan leader is compassionate and fair, but knows how and when to be decisive.

Fr. Dominic Monti, OFM150th Anniversary of the University

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

10 CHARACTERISTICS OF FRANCISCAN LEADERSHIP

1.Respect for the Individual2.Empowerment3.Collaboration4.Communication5.Ethical Worldview6.Commitment to the Growth of

Others7.Informed Decision Making8.Open to Learning9.Compassionate, Fair, and Strong10.Servant

Franciscan

Leadership

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?