Alliance for Catholic Education
Going Far Together: Leadership That Builds Capacity in Others
A leader has to be intentional in how they build the capacity for greatness in others. Our actions and inactions as leaders can set the conditions for positive growth in the people we lead or create challenges to our collective success. If our work as leaders is to be meaningful and sustainable, we must invest the time and resources to build others' capacity to lead.
I became a Catholic elementary school principal in July 2010. My school was in inner-city Los Angeles, under-enrolled, and in danger of closing due to low enrollment. I became obsessed with financial survival and focused most of my attention on increasing enrollment. I faced setback after setback in my first year and felt like a failure. Fortunately, there was a great community of committed Catholic educators, parents, and a supportive pastor. What saved me as I contemplated quitting after my first year was the realization that I was incapable of succeeding on my own and that operating in survival mode was no way to lead.
There is an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Our work as leaders should have a lasting impact on future generations. Our call is to recruit and empower the partners we need to accomplish great things. Juxtapose the Values of a Remick Leader's capacity building characteristics with Jesus’ approach in the Gospels. Jesus called, empowered, and sent his disciples to fulfill His mission. Jesus was intentional and personal in His approach by knowing and giving his followers what they needed. I missed the mark. I went alone and “fast” as a leader my first year, and recognized that my work, and the school as a result, were not going “far.”
I am now in my 16th year as a Catholic school leader. I am intentional about building capacity by setting high standards and providing the resources, support, and experiences my people need to meet our expectations. I am constantly looking for ways to give people opportunities to lead events and programs, and I schedule conversations to discuss leadership potential in the employees and volunteers I encounter. In the end, our greatest success as Catholic school leaders is not what we achieve alone, but in the leadership we ignite in others to carry the Gospel forward.
Victor Serna, Ph.D.
Seton Catholic Preparatory - Principal