What can we learn from the Leadership Style of a Pope John Paul II?

This is not a religious article and is strictly non-denominational in terms of supporting any particular religion. Pope John Paul II was unquestionably a man who made a significant impact on the world and was a different leader to many of his predecessors.

Whether he was right or wrong in the direction he took his Church will be argued for a long time to come and only time will tell. What is accepted, regardless of denomination, is that he was a successful leader and won the respect of many, even those who did not agree with him.

So what was it about this man that we can learn?

Looking back at his reign, I think he had qualities that won him the respect he got from people. Let’s look at some of these qualities and see what he didn’t do.

Presence or is it Charisma? Pope John Paul II had a presence about him that was beyond the effect he had on his flock. His ‘presence’ was also felt by those not of the same faith as him. He was a man who filled a room when he entered. What was it that gave him this ability?

It was the blend between Strength of Character combined with humility that probably had this effect on people. Strength of Character is often mistakenly mis-understood as being strong enough to speak your mind or force your will. In truth, Strength of Character is about knowing what you stand for and being able to maintain that belief even under duress. Strength of Character is about staying the course despite the way it affects you at times. Most of all Strength of Character is about conviction and belief in oneself.

We must remember that a man from Poland being elected as Pope was not welcomed by the communist Soviet Union in 1978. Eight months after his election Pope John Paul II visited his home land for nine days and rallied the spirit in the people. This was a great risk but a calculated one which worked. A year later the strike at Gdansk started and the first independent trade union was set up in the Soviet block. Within months the union had 10 million members, the Soviet Union lost 600,000 soldiers and officers who now focused on the fight to liberate Poland.

As it is said, the rest is history. In 1989 the Berlin Wall was torn down and in February 1985 the Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko went to the Vatican to see the Pope with the message that Moscow was interested in establishing diplomatic relations.

Pope John Paul II was quoted later as saying “I didn’t cause this to happen. The tree was rotten. I just gave it a good shake”. At a meeting in Germany he privately told people that the iron curtain would have to collapse under its own weight.

All too often the conviction and belief in oneself slips into arrogance. This is why it is important to be able to balance it with humility and this is something Pope John Paul II seemed to be able to do very effectively.

Balance Here was a man that understood the need for balance. Having a solid moral and ethical belief needed to be balanced with recognising that there is a time to move on. In some areas he recognised the need to be more progressive but at the same time realised that too much progression was going to undermine the fabric of the organisation. Another example of finding balance was the way he made major steps in healing the rift between the Catholic Church and Israel at the same time as visiting the Palestinians.

The more I study leadership the more I realise that the role of the leader is to manage expectations. I have said this many times before but I would like to add to it here. Lets go back to the start.

Managing expectations is not about manipulating people. It is nothing more than ensuring their expectation is not more than is able to be delivered. For example, if I say that I will get you something by four o’clock and then get it to you by two o’clock, then you are impressed and overjoyed. More than this you will probably believe me next time I tell you something. However, if I promised it to you at four o’clock and then deliver it at five o’clock, then you are not impressed and probably won’t believe me next time either. What is different is not the time I delivered the item but your expectation of the time I would deliver it.

Knowing people’s expectations is important if we are going to manage them.

Pope John Paul II recognised the need to manage peoples expectations. He knew his people were divided on certain issues like birth control. There were issues on both sides of the argument and he knew now was not the time to make any form of change on this issue. He was strong enough to be able to make a decision to stand firm on this issue.

At the same time he did not want to appear as old fashioned and stubborn. The rift between the Jews and the Church was far too old and both sides needed to move on. He was prepared to say sorry and still hold his head up. At the same time he was not going to allow himself to be seen as siding with Israel against the Palestinians.

The way he managed expectations and created balance, whilst having a strong conviction and values, always balanced with humility, is what made him a great leader in this time.

What can we learn?

He made an early stand. Risky? Yes, but it was a stand that let the world know what he stood for. It was an early success which was also important.

Having defined what he stood for, he lived up to it at all times. He went out to the world and into remote areas to show the face of the Church to all people.

He sought opportunities to make progress. He modernised the Vatican and the Church where there are now computers and even internet courses for priests.

He didn’t try to take on too many issues. Being too radical would make enemies that can undermine the values that made him successful with the Soviet Union and Israel. Those that were not happy with him not making changes on issues relating to birth control, celibacy, etc. never realised that he was not the man to make these changes and this was not the time either.

There are so many questions I could ask based on this quick look at Pope John Paul II’s leadership ability. I decided to challenge you with two this month:

• Do people see your Strength of Character as arrogance, as stubbornness or simply as you being a bully?

• Strength of Character requires a level of humility to create the balance in people’s minds.

• What are you doing to mange this balance?

• Do you even know what your people think? Are you even capable of managing the balance needed?

• Equally, are you too soft?

• Do you not portray that Strength of Character and can’t make a decision?

• Are you seen as missing the boat because you won’t make the decision?

• Do you manage to create balance?

• Are you someone that can balance the needs of the day with the long term needs of the business, family or the people you lead?

• Can you weigh up when to move and when to stay?

• Do you try to do too much and end up undermining the good you could have achieved?

• Do you manage the balance between your emotions and your values?

There is always the need for balance and finding the point of balance is a skill. A skill and a risk that a leader is prepared to make.

Have a great month and be the leader your people expect you to be and your business needs you to be. Another balancing act!!!!!!

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