Servant Leadership

With many of our staff currently undertaking interviews for College leadership roles for 2027, I thought I would reflect this week on the importance of servant leadership.

Servant leadership is at the heart of the Catholic understanding of leadership because it reflects the example of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve others.

In Catholic schools and communities such as Notre Dame College, leaders are called to place the needs of others before their own. Rather than leading through power or status, servant leaders inspire others through humility, always listening to the people they are leading.

The Gospel provides the model for servant leadership in the words of Jesus: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Guided by this example, Catholic leaders seek to imitate Christ by acting with humility, justice, and love. They understand that true leadership is measured by service to others, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalised.

Through servant leadership, Catholic educators and leaders build communities that reflect Gospel values and witness to Christ’s mission in the world. May we all be called to focus on servant leadership in our own families, places of work and wider networks.

Keeping the chaos holy,

Brendan Lindsay - Deputy Principal Catholic Identity.