Where are the differentiated, courageous, joyful, hope-filled, undefended, empowering, and powerful women and men who are willing to lead with nothing to lose? Sometimes it seems these leaders are nowhere to be found on global, national, nor local community levels. However, if one pays close attention, it turns out, there are some very good leaders right in our midst. I think I actually saw in the author of our current DLGP reading assignment this week, glimpses of a good leader.<\/p>\n
Matthew Petrusek, author of Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture, <\/em>is a professor of Catholic ethics and senior director of the Catholic educational organization, Word on Fire Institute.[1]<\/a> His book, in a thorough explanation of current and past ideologies and their influences, seeks to \u201coffer the culture an escape from hyper-politicization.\u201d[2]<\/a> He presents Catholic social thought as a path to moral truth and a way to Christ, the originator of truth.[3]<\/a> Petrusek proposes that evangelization, though valid in many arenas of society, is particularly needed in the political sphere today. He comments, \u201cIn the end, evangelizing always involves going to where the people are, and where many people are today is stuck in a morass of increasingly aggressive political ideologies, each one seducing its adherents down varied paths to the same dead end: moral, spiritual, and yes, political futility. There is a better option.\u201d[4]<\/a><\/p>\n I found Petrusek\u2019s book and his interviews interesting, but beyond his subject matter, I found his leadership style compelling. Petrusek, an intelligent, well-read author and speaker, displays qualities of humor, joy, confidence, and courage and inspires his audience to further learning. In my opinion, he embodies many of the qualities of effective leaders that we have studied over the past two years. Some of these qualities include differentiation, joy, confidence, undefendedness, courage, hope, and the ability to empower others to grow into their potential. The following are ways in which I saw these qualities in Petrusek\u2019s writings and interviews.<\/p>\n Differentiation<\/strong><\/p>\n Petrusek appears quite differentiated in his leadership. Ed Friedman describes differentiation as \u201ccharting one\u2019s own way by means of one\u2019s own internal guidance system, rather than perpetually eyeing the \u201cscope\u201d to see where others are.\u201d[5]<\/a> Petrusek left a teaching career at a Catholic university after ten years, discouraged by the pressure to conform to values not his own. Unsupported by his academic setting and popular political messaging, he steadily adheres to his values and speaks what he believes to be true. His presence is unwavering in a highly volatile context.<\/p>\n Hope and Joy<\/strong><\/p>\n Hope and joy are vital qualities for leaders. Eve Poole, in her book, Leadersmithing, <\/em>notes that leaders must be able to hang on to hope, convey optimism, and inspire others to dream big.[6]<\/a> Nicole Bianchi in Small Brave Moves <\/em>believes leaders must be able to convey a \u201cpositive expectation of a better future.\u201d[7]<\/a> Warner and Wilder in Rare Leadership <\/em>say, \u00a0<\/em>\u201cLeaders who learn to run on the fuel of joy find a sustainable source of motivation for themselves and others that never runs dry.\u201d[8]<\/a><\/p>\n In watching Petrusek\u2019s interviews, it was obvious that he had a sense of humor and laughed easily. Though he took his subject matter seriously, he didn\u2019t seem to take himself too seriously. He conveyed bold optimism, saying, \u201cCatholicism has deep, systematic, comprehensive, coherent, and rationally sound responses to these questions [of moral truth], as they relate both to the definition of the family and everything else in the sociopolitical sphere.\u201d[9]<\/a> When giving practical advice to evangelists in the political sphere, he said, \u201cWe have to be joyful,\u201d not letting ourselves succumb to worry.[10]<\/a><\/p>\n Undefendedness, Confidence, and Courage<\/strong><\/p>\n Simon Walker speaks of the power and freedom present in the leader whose posture is undefended, courageously living out his or her values and confidently operating as his or her authentic self. He says, \u201cFreedom to perform comes from the knowledge that there is someone rooting for you in the audience, whose opinion you value more than anyone else\u2019s and who is smiling and cheering just for you\u2026 Indeed, you can perform with nothing to lose\u2026\u201d[11]<\/a><\/p>\n Petrusek seems to be leading with nothing to lose. Despite opposition, he operates out of a strong faith in God and confidence in his calling. He expects to be criticized and yet, continues courageously and passionately in his work. Interestingly, though much of his focus is on apologetics, he maintains an undefended demeanor, which serves to invite people into the conversation, inspiring them to learn more.<\/p>\n The Ability to Empower Others <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cLeaders are given for the development of individuals and the whole. These leaders are treasures in themselves\u2026[drawing] out the treasure in others,\u201d says Tom Camacho.[12]<\/a> Petrusek does a great job of drawing out treasure in his audience. Though he speaks a bold message, his manner is not coercive. Personally, as I engaged his material, I felt motivated to learn more. Though I may not agree with everything to which he ascribes, I have a feeling that he would be able to have a sane debate with me in which we would both gain some insight. His leadership style appears empowering, inviting, and focused on discovering our potential as individuals and as a body.<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n Matthew Petrusek is leading courageously according to his values and faith in God, and steadily and confidently presenting hopeful alternatives to some of our cultural messages that for many people, lead to discouragement. In reading and watching Petrusek\u2019s work, I am inspired to continue my learning process about effective ways to navigate our current political climate and on a larger scale, I am motivated to continue my journey in growing into a leader that points to fullness of life in Jesus.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Matthew Petrusek in \u201cEpisode 107: Matt Petrusek: Politics as Idolatry,\u201d with Marcas O Conghaile Muirthemne on More Christ<\/em>, www.youtube.com<\/a>, 0:30.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Matthew Petrusek, Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture<\/em> (Park Ridge, IL: Word on Fire Institute, 2023), 14.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Ibid, 14.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Ibid, 18.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Edwin Friedman, A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix<\/em> (New York, NY: Church Publishing, 1999), 194.<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> Eve Poole, Leadersmithing: Revealing the Trade Secrets of Leadership<\/em> (New York, NY: Bloomsbury Business, 2017), 91-93.<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> Nicole Bianchi, Small Brave Moves<\/em> (Potomac, MD: New Degree Press, 2021), 197.<\/p>\n [8]<\/a> Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder, Rare Leadership in the Workplace: Four Uncommon Habits that Improve Focus, Engagement, and Productivity<\/em> (Chicago, IL: Northfield Publishing, 2021), 30.<\/p>\n [9]<\/a> Petrusek, Evangelization and Ideology, <\/em>5-6.<\/p>\n [10]<\/a> Petrusek with Marcas O Conghaile Muirthemne, 35:10.<\/p>\n