Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Robert Lee, Dean and Assistant Professor of Accounting at University of Saint Francis. We hope you enjoy Bob’s wisdom and perspective.
Earlier this year I attended an event where the University of Saint Francis President Sister M. Elise Kriss, OSF received Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly’s 2015 Legend of Leadership Award. It was a fitting award for a remarkable carrier of leadership. We at USF are fortunate to learn from her example.
After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in teacher education at Saint Francis College, Sister Elise taught elementary and junior high for eight years and was principal for four years. She came to Saint Francis College in 1983 as Undergraduate Dean after completing a doctoral degree at Saint Louis University. After serving as VP for Academic Affairs and VP for Administration, she became President in 1993.
At the awards breakfast, several people shared their perspectives on Sister Elise as a leader, but what stood out to me was her personal reflection on leadership. She reminded the audience that although her experiences provided her with many leadership development opportunities, “Here I am 22 years later and I feel I am still learning.”
She reminded us that “everyone is a leader in his or her own right.” Leaders aren’t limited to those with titles or official positions of authority, and each person has their own path in life which is important and formative of the kind of leader they are or will become. At USF, we strive to develop young leaders every day – to help young adults recognize they are each a unique manifestation of the talents and God-given abilities that are forming them into capable leaders.
Secondly, “a good leader will hire other good leaders to help them get the job done.” Leaders cannot do everything themselves if the organization, like a university, is going to grow and succeed. We should strive to hire team members who know more than we do about the aspect of the organization they will lead, or at least are willing to learn. In doing so, a true leader should not be threatened by the capabilities of others, and instead encourage them to continue to grow and develop in their leadership role. We as leaders must remain cognizant of this in our daily walk. Sister Elise summarized “So, when you see good things happening at USF, know that many, many others are involved in those accomplishments!”
During the 2015 Servus Omnium Lecture Series at USF, Sister Elise, USF colleagues, and many from the community had the privilege to hear Chris Lowney speak about the leadership style of Pope Francis. Sister Elise noted Pope Francis’ style of leadership is indeed making a difference in the world. Mr. Lowney, in his book Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads, summarized Pope Francis’ style of leadership as calling us “to know ourselves deeply, serve others, immerse ourselves in the world, withdraw from it daily, live in the present, and reverence our traditions, even as we energetically go about creating the future.”
Sister Elise concluded her speech with her thoughts on each of these concepts:
Commit to know yourself deeply. Believe that you are gifted, talented, and fundamentally good. Yes, there are flaws to work out, but you are called to lead—to point out the way and influence others by example and then by whatever other opportunity or authority comes to you.
Transcend yourself to serve others. Leaders must get over themselves to serve some purpose greater than self. You must give more than you receive; and leave the world a better place than you found it. Our challenges are great, and we need great-minded leaders to surmount them.
Immerse yourself in this complex world. Leaders are no better than anyone else. We are connected to others in joys, sufferings, and everyday struggles. So, keep “in touch” with reality on the ground around you. Be interested in what is going on with individuals in your organization, the community you live in, and the world at large.
Step back for daily reflection. Set aside sacred space every day to remind yourself of your higher purpose, values, and beliefs. Be grateful for all you have. If you are a religious person, take time to pray. Strive to be a contemplative in action—ever mindful of what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Live fully in the present and revere tradition. We cannot relive the past and the future is not ours to have. The present moment is all we have. What is most important is the person sitting in front of you or the current problem you have been asked to help resolve. Our beliefs and values were bequeathed to us by traditions that must be honored and passed on to others. They were forged in the crucible of our life experiences.
Help create the future. The call to leadership is a call to help create the future—your future and that of your family, professional community, civic community, and the planet. Strive to be free from whatever fears, uncertainties, or anxieties that might deter you from choices that lead to what is good, beautiful, just, and true.
What’s The Risk?
The University of Saint Francis would not able to grow and develop students rooted in the Catholic and Franciscan traditions of faith and reason by engaging a diverse community in learning, leadership, and service if it did not follow these lessons.
I would suggest these concepts also resonate well with leaders as a whole. Can you truly grow and develop your team without knowing yourself, serving others, immersing yourself in the world, reflecting regularly, living in the present, and helping create the future?
I challenge you to take a page from Sister Elise’s book and refuse to stop learning – about yourself, those around you, and how you can become a better leader.
This content was written and shared by guest blogger, Robert Lee.
Robert Lee is Dean of Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance with a concentration in Insurance from Ball State University. Additionally, Lee is completing his doctoral work in Business Administration with a specialization in Advanced Accounting from Northcentral University.
Prior to joining the faculty in 2009, Dean Lee served 10 years in governmental finance as the Treasurer of Allen County, Indiana. Prior to being elected county treasurer, he worked in the property and casualty insurance industry and has administered technology initiatives with the Allen County Auditor's Office and the Allen County Department of Planning Services.
Dean Lee is active at Blackhawk Ministries in Fort Wayne and has served on several governmental and community boards including Community Action of Northeast Indiana, Retired and Senior Volunteer program and Fire Police City-County Federal Credit Union. Additionally, he is the treasurer of the Allen County Republican Party. He is a past president of the Indiana County Treasurers Association and was named the Association of Indiana Counties 2008 Outstanding County Treasurer by his peers.
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