Case Study: Heroic Leadership

Heroic Connection The book, Heroic Leadership helped me to develop a deeper understanding of what the Jesuit’s model of a great leader and what that might look like for me. The Jesuit’s formula allowed me to see that a leader is always leading, it is not something that happens on and off, it is constant. I feel that the Jesuit model would add a leadership perspective that I would certainly engage in for my school and myself. As Lowney states, the process is never complete, it is” ongoing” and it is a “life” and it is “within” all of us all of the time. As an educator I relate to the ongoing learning that is a part of the nature of the job (Lowney, 2003, p. 15). Just as the students’ skills and knowledge are evolving and growing inside of them, the same steps are taking place within us as their instructors. Chris Lowney’s book Heroic Leadership provides a model that was established by the Jesuits and is one that I find myself drawn to for my own leadership. Their leadership plan promotes all become leaders and the ultimate goal or purpose is for “the greater glory of God”. The ultimate goal of becoming a leader for God aligns with my own goals and it is founded in values that I also feel are a part of my leadership foundation. The four values or four “pillars” that are the foundation for the leadership model include self-awareness,

Developing leaders within my own community, which is the key to the success for all and will ultimately lead to fulfilling a vision of high standards including our students’ success. Student success is the goal of my educational vision and through the leadership styles that I chose. My including the Jesuit model in my leadership style where the pillars are tied into achievement and solid leadership, aligns with my Catholic faith and supports a cohesive mission to lead others to eternal life in