1. A good leader remembers he is a servant

I was struck by the very first gesture made by the new Pontiff; rather than blessing the crowd, he bowed his head and asked his followers to bless him and pray for him, a moving act of deep humility.  Now, how often do people elevated to high power not only acknowledge but actively ask for the endorsement and support of those that are now in their charge?

We are far more used to those in power wielding their authority even before the ink is dry on their appointment letter and making sure we know who the boss is.  Humility, which can often perceived as a sign of weakness, particularly in the world of business, is one of the most important aspects of a leader.

Realising that you can only lead those who choose to follow you and that people only choose to follow you when they choose to accept you, is a lesson many leaders could do with learning.  Great leaders have the humility to acknowledge that although they might set the direction, achieving their goals without others is mostly impossible.

In acknowledging that he not only wanted but needed the prayers and support of his followers, the Pope offered a powerful lesson to every new leader, whether in the boardroom or on the world stage.

2. Unite and Rule trumps Divide and Rule

The new Pope spent his first evening having a private dinner with the Cardinals that had participated in the voting process and, by all accounts, was jovial and humble in his victory.  He was quoted as saying ‘I hope you don’t regret this decision!’ and used humour and warmth to heal any divisions the election may have caused and to smooth ruffled feathers.

When you are a winner, bringing people together is infinitely preferable to divide and rule.  A number of the Cardinals who had been publicly touted by the know-it-all pundits and commentators as the next Pope would have had to reconcile themselves to their equally public failure to achieve this high office.  But by reminding them of their collective responsibility in and contribution to his choice, Pope Francis also reinforced their stature and the high level of responsibility they continue to enjoy. Out on the balcony, by refusing to stand on a platform to elevate himself among the surrounding cardinals, in line with tradition, the new Pope also sent a clear message about being part of a team and not simply its leader.

How much more used are we to seeing business and political leaders surrounded by bodyguards and entourages that showcase how untouchable and powerful they are, as well as how removed their lives are from those that keep them in power?

3. Take into consideration ALL your stakeholders

On the morning after his election, Pope Francis paid a surprise and unannounced visit to a small parish church in Rome, taking time to speak to parishioners coming to Confession and to encourage the stunned priests to be kind to them.

Already known for his disregard of pomp and ceremony and his staunch support for the poor in his native Argentina, this first visit of his papacy underlined the importance in which he holds the poor, sick and disenfranchised; the ordinary people who are the bedrock of his church and from whom, ultimately, his authority comes.

The Pope’s actions that first morning provided a refreshing contrast to the very many examples of leaders who choose to move only in exalted circles and, in the process, lose touch with the very people they purport to lead.

Within 48 hours of his appointment, the new Pope had already taught me five important leadership lessons from the Vatican.


4. Find a good mentor

During his first day in office we were told that Francis 1 paid a visit to Emeritus Pope Benedict XV1.  The former Pope is literally the only person on earth who knows what it feels like to be in Francis’s position and has the ability, therefore, to offer informed and wise counsel to his successor.

You have to wonder how many leaders – political and otherwise – would have made a greater success of their jobs if they had had the humility to seek counsel from those that came before them and to learn from their lessons instead of repeating their mistakes.

5. Leverage your diversity

The former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio is the first Jesuit and the first non-European Pope in modern times.  Following a long tradition of Italian and European popes, this new Pontiff comes with a very different background and from a markedly different culture to that of his predecessors.

His diverse background brings an opportunity for a refreshed approach to the mission of the Papacy and can only help to attract and retain a new and diverse followership. Acknowledging that his fellow cardinals had gone ‘to the ends of the earth to find me’, the new Pope signalled that he was a foreigner but one ready to tackle the challenges that others had found him worthy of handling.  His appointment demonstrates both that diversity brings with it a rich and varied approach to problem solving and that foreigners can truly add value, if given the opportunity.

Great leaders throughout history have demonstrated a combination of humility, self-awareness, reflection and a visionary purpose. So while I have yet to meet the new Pope in person, I was definitely struck by what this humble and authentic leader had to say to me.