Ignatian Leadership

Seeing Through My Armor:

Self-awareness and the ground work of leadership

1. Ignatian leaders are called to be sensitive in understanding the totality of their being

The 25^th Buklod Atenista emphasized the importance of self-awareness as the foundation of Ignatian Leadership. As mentioned by Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J. from his welcoming message, the primary question one should be constantly asking are “what am I about?” and “what is the quality of my desires?” These two questions invoke inside us the formation of our own unique identity and purpose. If constantly asked and answered, it carves a complex yet clearer self image and self worth and this leads to the acknowledgement of our vital individual roles in the “greater scheme of things”. Having a solid grasp of our own desires and our being ultimately enables us to see clearly and act responsibly. It makes us freer from attachments and prejudices. Self-awareness aligns our thoughts and behaviours in order and enables us to proceed more effectively and efficiently. Moreover, the awareness of our strengths, weaknesses, desires and values clarifies what we have been in the past and visualizes what we could become in the future.

I am Change:

We are called to be Agents of Change

2. Ignatian leaders are called to be counter-cultural

Also inspired by the words of Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J., he mentioned that our being is a struggle between having the willingness to make a difference and being different. Ignatian leaders are called not just to make change but to be counter-cultural in lifestyle. This then calls us that we should be reasonably disturbed by the realities surrounding ourselves and our communities. We should be keenly aware of the situations and events that has happened and are happening. This awareness and “disturbance” of our world should compel us to change our mindset and behaviour that has become a habit contrary to what is right or better. This change manifested through our thoughts and actions should be geared towards the development of a better human society. This also calls us to challenge structures that profit from unjust causes, structures that have become malignant, and structures that have become stagnant. We should utilize all possible peaceful means of challenging these social structures to reform and to develop. The 25^th Buklod Atenista highlights the complexities of modern times. These are characterized by ideologies and beliefs competing for allegiance, erosion of values, institutionalized injustices, and many acts of social injustice. The poor who are acutely vulnerable to these injustices are the ones who need preferential option. We should proceed having them in the forefront of our thoughts and actions. God channels his special grace through the poor and we should do our very best to protect and enhance their dignity.