Five Virtues of Successful Leaders
Supreme Knight’s Leadership Principles
Knights of Columbus leaders serve something greater than themselves:
the spiritual fraternity of the Knights of Columbus.
Our mission from Father McGivney is to lead Catholic men in lives of faith and fraternity.
As Christian leaders we set the standard by imitating Christ and following Christ.
Imitating Christ:
► Look at what Christ said and did. Conform to His example.
► “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11).
Following Christ:
► Follow where the Lord leads. A good leader is a good follower.
► “Not my will but your will be done” (Luke 22:42).
Five Key Virtues
We imitate and follow Christ in the exercise of five key virtues.
1) Humility
• Be a man with humility — it’s the most important part of building a strong team.
• Humility is being other-centered, not self-centered.
• The humble leader focuses on others and the mission, not on himself.
2) Integrity
• Be a man of integrity — it’s how you will earn trust.
• We must be leaders who people can trust.
• We must conduct ourselves in a way that is consistent with the mission.
3) Moral Courage
• Be a man of courage, especially moral courage to make tough decisions.
• We must build strong Knights of Columbus teams — not simply enlisting unqualified friends.
• Moral courage helps us have tough conversations and make tough decisions.
• Leaders with moral courage don’t say: “We have always done it this way.”
4) Unity
• Be a man of unity; unity is the most precious resource we have as Knights.
• Be loyal to the Knights of Columbus mission; loyal to the Supreme Council; loyal to the state council; loyal to brother Knights.
• Keep Knights united with each other.
5) Foresight
• Be a man with foresight. Don’t focus on yourself, focus on the Order’s future.
• Father McGivney built the Knights to last. He built it so Knights are not dependent on any one leader or personality.
• We live and work in the present, but we anticipate the challenges of the future and aren’t afraid to innovate.
