Great Leaders Have the Will and Stamina to Become a “Graveyard of Hate”

 

A Trait of the Greatest Leaders

Outside of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ is considered one of the greatest leaders of all time by scholars, academics, historians, organizational behavior psychologists, sociologists, cultural anthropologists, and modern-day business leaders.

In the Catholic Church, this Sunday, Palm Sunday, two Gospel passages are read:

1. The Palm Gospel: Read at the beginning of the Mass during the procession with palms, recounting Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40).
2. The Passion Gospel: Read later in the Mass, narrating the events of Jesus' Passion and Crucifixion (Luke 22:14-23:56).

The reason for reading both is to capture the full scope of the day's significance: the joyous welcome Jesus received as he entered Jerusalem and the somber events leading to his crucifixion. This dual reading sets the tone for Holy Week, reflecting both the celebration and the suffering of Jesus.

In a Spiritual Direction to The Passion Gospel, Mother Hilda Scott OSB tells a story of an African American civil rights worker involved with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This worker, in promoting civil rights, suffered all imaginable degradation and deprivation and saw his job as “becoming a graveyard of hate.” Mother Scott, drawing a comparison to Jesus being crucified amidst jeering and mocking crowds, says, “It seems to me that when we become a graveyard for hate, we also become a cave of resurrection for peace, kindness, goodness, and all that reflects God's nature.”

Mother Scott’s words linking the civil rights advocate and Jesus offered me an insight: great business or organizational leaders have an unrelenting stamina to face significant backlash, even as they achieve remarkable success. This phenomenon can be seen in various fields, including business. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Steve Jobs: The co-founder of Apple was both revered and criticized throughout his career. While celebrated for his visionary leadership and innovation, he also faced significant criticism for his management style and the working conditions at Apple.
2. Jeff Bezos: The founder of Amazon transformed the retail industry and became one of the world's richest individuals. However, he has faced backlash over Amazon's labor practices, environmental impact, and market dominance.
3. Mark Zuckerberg: The CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook) has been praised for building one of the most influential social media platforms. At the same time, he has faced intense scrutiny and criticism over privacy issues, misinformation, and the platform's impact on society.
4. Howard Schultz: The former CEO of Starbucks expanded the company globally and promoted progressive values. Despite this, he faced criticism for his handling of labor issues and his brief foray into politics.
5. Elon Musk: Musk is a modern-day example. He has been lauded for his work with Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures, but he also faces criticism for his management style, public statements, and business practices. Recently, he has faced overwhelming backlash for offering his time to assist in cutting government spending waste.

These examples illustrate that being a great leader often requires a rare trait: the ability to navigate significant public scrutiny and criticism. It demands unparalleled emotional resilience and the ability to stay focused on long-term goals despite the challenges.