Donna, you have been in a leadership role for your congregation and previously in leadership of Southdown, what do you see as some essential characteristics of successful leadership?

Leadership is fundamentally about passion for the mission of the group.  Good leaders feel compelled to take action on behalf of the mission and they are willing to take the risks inherent in engaging in such initiatives—even though sometimes those risks might end in perceived failure. A certain ability to think beyond what has been and look toward what might be is crucial for these times.  Seeing the goodness in the membership of the group and calling people to hope and to a deep belief in what can be accomplished together are qualities that lurk in the hearts of excellent leaders!

Much has been made of the distinction between managing and leading, how does a good leader stay out of the manager trap?

Staying focused on the vision of the group—that is, on the members’ articulation of its communal “best self” in response to the crying needs of the times—inoculates the leader against micromanagement.  Additionally, knowing one’s own limitations and inviting the most talented folks one can find to join in implementing various tasks-at-hand comprise the frame for a wonderful and complementary relationship between leadership and those who have the unique skills of managing.  Leaders who cannot delegate will find themselves exhausted and dispirited long before their tenure is completed.

Is there a distinctively Dominican way of leading? (What in our tradition speaks to good leadership?)

Our tradition of participative governance and our long-held belief that true authority resides in the communion of the members position Dominicans well in this historic period.  We have known since our mediaeval foundations that authoritarian models of leadership are generally not effective. Dominic envisioned a different way.  While we may not be consciously aware of how these ancient values resulted in a leadership style that differs from many other religious Orders, my rather biased sense is that it has resulted in healthier and more mature group functioning in the service of our preaching mission. 
 
Do you believe that we can develop leadership among new members? 

There has been considerable research done pertaining to the issue of leadership development.  Can leaders be taught or are they born?  Many substantive studies indicate that leadership skills can be taught and, thus, once having acquired those skills a person can function as an adequate leader.  The qualities that make someone an outstanding leader, however, are far more elusive and likely not simply able to be learned or acquired.  Every new Dominican should have opportunities to learn the skills needed to be a good leader.  The needs of the mission are so great that all of us, young and old, must be able to take lead roles in coalescing others in response to such urgencies. 

What would make that happen?

Entrusting significant projects to newer Dominicans and establishing adult mentoring relationships so that the next generation of us will succeed become important tasks for those of us who have had such opportunities.  Some new Dominicans will undoubtedly demonstrate special talents that will mark them as outstanding leaders.  It is readily apparent to me that not everyone is given the gift of outstanding leadership.  No one of us is entitled to be a leader.  It is a gift, and a mysterious one at that!  But each of us has leadership ability that needs to be called forth, freed and exercised in service to the Gospel.  Discovering the best place to direct that ability happens in the context of true communal discernment.

Does a strong commitment to collaboration water down strong leadership?

Quite to the contrary.  When collaboration is understood as garnering the best thinking of the group in its response to achieving its mission, groups are far more likely to achieve more creative outcomes and make bolder decisions than any individual would on his or her own.  Smart leaders are not threatened by enlarging the circle of wisdom.  It is all about responding to the mission—not about an individual’s conscious or unconscious need to control.  Collaboration fails when leaders are insecure, threatened or unimaginative.

Can you share a moment or situation in which you wish you could have done something different?  That is, if you had to do it over again you would?

Any time I have reneged on making a difficult decision because of fear that I will not be liked, I have regretted it.  One thing I have learned is that, with good counsel and considerable prayer, making a decision that serves the common good is more important than feeling affirmed by everyone.

How do you view the current trends toward reconfiguration in US Dominican congregations?

These efforts are mission-driven.  To that end, they enable smaller groups to join their efforts toward more effective service to God’s people and to the terribly vulnerable national and ecclesial situations in which we are situated.  In my mind, this is a first step toward what hopefully will yield to intercontinental affiliations of one type or another.  Joining together on the North American continent is likely preliminary to thinking beyond our national similarities toward international and intercontinental congregations. In this time of global crisis, we Dominicans hold the possibility of crossing the oceans to join across our national differences in response to enormous justice issues. We have the potential to witness to connecting with others from different national and cultural realities and directing such synergistic energy toward global healing and reconciliation.  Countries have not been particularly successful at this, but I believe we Dominicans just might be!

What books are on your nightstand?

Life and Fate by Vassily Grossman; Thirst: Poems by Mary Oliver; What is the What? by Dave Eggers; The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality by Belden  Lane

If you could have every Dominican in the US read a particular book what would it be and why?

I would have to say Albert Nolan’s Jesus Today: A Spirituality of Radical Freedom.  I found this to be a book that was not only helpful and inspirational, but provided a means to read the life of Jesus in the Gospels in a way that connected with our contemporary insights from the new sciences.  I have read a number of works pertaining to the universe story, spirituality and our tradition and must say this has been the most rewarding. 

. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone from history (alive or dead) who would it be and why?

I would love to meet Nelson Mandela.  As a believer and as a psychologist, I would like to ask him how he was able to maintain hope through his imprisonment and how he was able to envision a world where freedom and forgiveness could outweigh enslavement and vindictiveness.  He embodies qualities that I think all of us need in these times.

Thanks so much Donna.

Donna: My plesaure!







Anne Lythgoe, OP
editor