Karen Stacey's Organizational Development Reflections

Leadership Skills – Remembrances of regular people demonstrating great Leadership

This past week was an affirmation of one of the key competencies discussed, practiced and applied in so many of the workshops that I teach: the power of Listening.  This was a week of memorial services and funerals for an extended family member and the mom of a best friend from high school.

A couple of things that moved me about the two people being remembered this past week was first the number of people who came out to honor, remember and celebrate their life.  Both of these individuals had touched so many people throughout their lifetime.  The second was that in the remembrances that were shared there was one theme shared about both of these individuals, their ability to listen intently to others. 

One of my best friends from high school’s mother recently passed away in New Jersey in July. This past week a memorial service was held to celebrate the life of Saran Gillies at Braintree Town Hall.  There were well over 150 people who attended the memorial service for this woman who was a leader in the Town of Braintree, MA politics.  Saran was the first woman selectperson in the town of Braintree and became Chairperson of the board.  In addition Saran was elected to Town Clerk in Braintree and was community activist involved in several organizations including the League of Woman Voters and Braintree’s recycling program. 

What really hit home for me was that a number of people who spoke who shared remembrances of a woman who was focused, committed, passionate and held strong convictions and opinions about what she believed in.  One of the common threads repeated in a number of speaker’s remembrances was that Saran was a gifted listener.  Several speakers noted that although they did not always agree or saw issues from very different points of view Saran always listened to learn and understand the other person’s point of view. 

On Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning I joined many people to celebrate the life and leadership of Father Gerard (Gerry) Barry.  Father Gerard, as I knew him, was the uncle of my uncle by marriage.  Father Gerard presided over many family weddings, baptisms, and funerals.  He was a man that touched many, many lives during his 60 plus years as a priest. 

The stories of so many family members and friends, fellow priests, former parishioners of St. Augustine’s, South Boston and St. Bernard’s, West Newton, nurses and doctors, and so many others who were touched by this great man looked to Father Gerard as a leader who was a skilled and practiced listener. 

In many of the stories that people told they emphasized how Father Gerard listened—really listened and responded to people’s concerns and problems.  Listening included people like the prisoner incarcerated at the Deer Island prison where Father Gerard was serving as pastoral council.   Father Gerard listened to one of the prisoner’s pain and disappointment about not being able to celebrate his daughter’s graduation from nursing school.  Although this prisoner had messed up (involved in the Brinks Robbery) his daughter was successful.  The leader in Father Barry listened and understood this was an opportunity to reunite a father and daughter, to mend a family.  Father Barry invited the prisoner’s two daughters to Deer Island for a graduation celebration.  Many years later, while battling cancer Father Gerard was cared for by a nurse at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.  That nurse was the daughter of the prisoner at Deer Island. 

Many wonderful remembrances focused on Father Gerard Barry’s ability to listen and understand.  He was an ordinary man who was a great leader.  An article in the Boston Globe on Sunday, September 10, by Kevin Cullen eloquently shares several stories about Father Gerard Barry’s leadership skills. 

Personally, I believe that communication, especially listening is the foundational skill of great leaders.  What do you think are the key foundational leadership skills?  Let’s discuss.

As I sign off, I quote Father Gerard’s famous expression when wrapping up a conversation, “Stay Loose.”

Make it a great day…and remember to listen.