EDUCATION MATTERS: Growing Leaders
By Dr Terry McCarthy, Interim Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania
“Leadership is not just about skills or capabilities—leadership credibility is a combination of competence and character.”
That quote comes from Education Consultant Catherine Jackson who facilitates Catholic Education Tasmania’s Aspiring Leaders Program. It is a two-year program, with participants coming together for one day each school term (eight in total across the program). There are three cohorts running at any given time; two comprised of school leaders and one comprised of TCEO leaders.
I was privileged to recently connect with over 100 leaders attending the Program’s Term 2 workshops in Campbell Town and Hobart. How fortunate CET is to have such capable people across a range of age groups ready to fill key roles across our system of schools. Our future is bright.
According to Catherine: “Some participants are looking at progressing into formal leadership positions, some are already in formal leadership positions and some just want to be the best teacher or leader they can be within their current role. It is not always about climbing the career ladder. Leadership is about influence. Anyone who makes a positive influence on others is a leader.”
Thousands of books have been written about leadership over the years. Each of us have witnessed special moments of leadership in our own lives or those in the broader public sphere. Who can forget Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s words just two days after Russia’s full-scale invasion on 26 February, 2022. The US government offered him evacuation from Kyiv. Reports had emerged that he was Russia’s top target. He replied; “I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Closer to home, special qualities of leadership that I have personally witnessed were well articulated by Archbishop Tony Ireland when describing Fr Mark Freeman at his farewell Mass before being installed as the Bishop of Ballarat.
“We have seen his faith—steady, quiet, and deeply rooted. We have seen his discernment—thoughtful, wise, and attentive.”
“We have seen his hope—especially in difficult moments. We have seen his gentleness and compassion—in parishes, hospitals, meetings, and countless personal encounters.”
“And above all, we have seen his capacity for communion—his ability to bring people together, to listen, to build trust, and to strengthen the unity of the Church.”
Our Aspiring Leaders Program explores such skills, capabilities and virtues of leadership. The other key component of the sessions is to work on the participant’s understanding of self and what their particular gifts, talents and motivations might be.
Our students will be well served through the formation of our next generation of school and system leaders.