Konoina (2e)

II. A “LEADERSHIP GATHERING”?
(Read the Vietnamese version)

It is hard to translate the words “Leadership Gathering”, an activity or event we thought about when we were brainstorming how to respond to the need of our group coordinators. The ambiguity of the term “Leadership” is not exactly negative in itself, but some how still distant for most of us. If we use “Lãnh Đạo”, we usually think of a certain position, a certain power, or a certain level, mainly occupied by a minority in a community. The noun “leader”, as defined in Wikipedia, is a power originated from 4 main sources (positional, professional, innate authority or systematic), and hence, a leader must possesses 7 human qualities: sensitivity, integrity, energetic, confidence, intelligence, have professional knowledge and motivation to become a leader. In sum, if we must have all these conditions to become a leader, it is not very encouraging to become one, isn’t it? Well, at lease, that’s how I feel!!

But before getting deeper into the meaning of this term, I would like to share how our understanding of a word can sometimes be a little bit complicated… Back to my conversation with Mong Hang, we thought the first thing we can do, at least to support our coordinators emotionally, is to gather everyone on a national level. From the past experiences, these gatherings in themselves always had positive effects. Those of us who have attended these gatherings (Dai Hoi, Exco gathering, summit, etc.) in the past can witness this. At the same time, when we meet others with the same desire, same dream, these dreams and desires can become more real. On the same token, when many share the same challenges and difficulties, the burden can be lighter.

These gatherings also offer occasions for our brothers and sisters to meet, to get to know one another, and naturally, build a network to communicate and support each other in the future. These networks will eventually develop into an on-going formation program, based on experiences one has in their own local communities. These events also support our formation vision of Empowering Growth, where the potential gifts and talents of the coordinators will be discovered. The support will not only come from national or regional Exco and Formation team, but is between our group coordinators. In sum, these gatherings will have positive, life-giving impact for the participants, and at the same time, open up new dynamics and horizon of possibilities for the community.

We also think this event should not be limited only to the current group coordinators in our DH-CLC groups. The future, the life of a group, our community depends on several people if not all the members, regardless if they have not or currently serve in the coordinator role. This gathering will potentially be helpful for all the members that are concerned and want to contribute actively in their chosen ideal, those through the way they are and live, influence positively and bring life to the whole community.

Therefore, here comes the term Leadership Gathering. However, leadership is not understood as defined in Wikipedia, but this leadership is understood in the context of Dong Hanh way of life, described as Heroic or Servant leadership of Jesus’ disciples, that we have the chance to explore in the past Cura Personalis.

As we continue our conversation about the possible misunderstandings of the common meaning of the word “leadership”, we recognize that we have 2 choices: either to run away from it, or to face this misunderstanding, hoping to help one another to find and understand a deeper, humble yet beautiful meaning like in Servant Leadership.

This is a choice of the Formation Team. Is it your choice?!

(to be continued…)

Trương Thành Hào