Lead like Mary
When it comes to leadership in my home, my kids know who’s boss – 100 percent their mom. Despite my best efforts to fix problems, impart my wisdom or parent with heroic patience, my wife Tricia is still their go-to for most of their day-to-day needs. For all of us, she is a pillar of strength and faith in our family. This month, as we celebrate the leadership and love of all the mothers in our lives, let’s especially look to our Blessed Mother as the ultimate model of leadership for us to imitate in our family, work and ministry.
When it comes to leadership in my home, my kids know who’s boss – 100 percent their mom. Despite my best efforts to fix problems, impart my wisdom or parent with heroic patience, my wife Tricia is still their go-to for most of their day-to-day needs. For all of us, she is a pillar of strength and faith in our family. This month, as we celebrate the leadership and love of all the mothers in our lives, let’s especially look to our Blessed Mother as the ultimate model of leadership for us to imitate in our family, work and ministry.
Lead with humility
From the Annunciation to her Magnificat, Mary rejoiced in the gifts God gave her and her role in the story of salvation. Her words and actions are never self-serving; rather, they always point people to the Lord.
Let us ask ourselves:
How do I balance gracefully acknowledging my gifts while recognizing the One who gave them to me? How can I stand in confidence in the particular role God is calling me to play in my work or my family while acknowledging myself as a servant of the Lord?
Lead with initiative
While Mary was completely docile to God’s plan, she was not a passive participant. Mary “set out” on her journey to visit Elizabeth “with haste.” (Lk 1:39)
It is her insistence at the wedding feast at Cana that prompted her Son to perform his first miracle in public ministry. We see here how her initiative set in motion a series of actions by others and saved the day for two newlyweds who became the beneficiaries of God’s abundant gifts.
Let us ask ourselves:
In what ways can I be like Mary and cooperate with God’s plan in an active way today? What does my “yes” look like in action?
Lead with self-reflection
Scripture mentions at least three times when Mary pondered an experience of God’s action in her heart. We, like Mary, are a people who celebrate the mystery, the wonder and even the uncertainty of God’s plan.
Let us ask ourselves:
How do I incorporate self-reflection into my day and trust the unfolding of the Lord’s plan in my life?
Let’s not overlook Mary’s leadership in the Church and in our lives, taking these examples to heart as we strive to make all of our words and actions reflect the glory of God in order to bring others to him.
Dan Cellucci is the CEO of the Catholic Leadership Institute.
