An article that appeared in a recent issue of Organization Dynamics (July, 2010, pp. 240-247) offered a new paradigm for business corporations.  It is called, “The CEO and CFO – A Partnership of Equals,” written by Philip Tulimieri and Moshe Banai.

No longer, the authors contended, can a large business effectively be led by only one person; it takes two.  “Businesses in this new century are approaching a more consensus model of management, where leadership requires operating transparency, adherence to moral and ethical principles, and accountability to a broad group of stakeholders.” (p. 243).  They go on to state, “The global corporation to which business is evolving will be led by a duopoly: Two equal partners, with equal accountability, authority and access to the people will now run the organization.”  This “duopoly” demands an empathy between the two leaders.  “Although the CEO and the CFO will have defined roles, they will have to complement each other so well that it will be seamless to all but the inner circle of subordinates. . .  They will take pleasure in working together, and appreciate each other.” (p. 244).  This movement to shared ownership leads to the spreading out of decision-making.  “Formally, there is a ‘decider’ on the corporate table of organization, but informally today, decision-making has become more democratic, more process-orientated, team-based and inclusive. . . The younger generation of CEO’s acknowledges that they do not possess all the answers, and have invited other voices to the decision-making process.” (p. 245).  What led to this emphasis on partnership and shared ownership?  According to Tulimieri and Banai, “Scandals earlier this decade have brought to light the inadequacy of the current management model, with one person – the CEO – as architect, judge and ultimate decision-maker.  These abuses underscored the problem with the classic hierarchical form of management.”

Begins With The Pastor
The article was directed to the corporate world but it resonates with parish leadership as well.  The pastor has the authority to choose someone to enter into partnership with him as a means toward more effective leadership and pastoring.  As mentioned above, no longer can a large business (or parish) effectively be led by only one person; it takes two.  Many who receive this Newsletter have direct experience of a pastor and partner mutually sharing the direction and guidance of the parish.  Each has a unique role to play.  The pastor’s part covers the spiritual, liturgical and counseling spheres.  The partner’s focus includes administrative and managerial elements.  Responsibilities common to both involve strategizing, visioning, holding themselves and others accountable, spreading out the decision-making and team-building among staff and pastoral council. 

The key ingredient to this partnership model is finding the right person to work with the pastor.  Whether it is a man or woman, either young or old, does not make as much a difference as the person’s background in human resources and organizational management, as well as a temperament that can bring out the best in others, instills trust and confidence, calls the parish to reach its full potential and believes in the Spirit’s guiding hand in all of this.  The partner not only complements the pastor’s gifts but can speak freely to the pastor about issues that need to be addressed.  Rather than choosing an existing staff member for this position, it has been our experience that locating either a capable retired person or someone else who has 15 to 20 hours a week available for this task works out the best.  Begin with a six month trial period and then expand it to an ongoing position once the pastor and partner know they can work well together and the parish is benefiting from this shared leadership.  If the first choice doesn’t fit, look for another.  Don’t give up the search, it is too important to the life of the parish and the well-being of the pastor.

Mrs. Wendy Rappé & Tom Sweetser, SJ
www.pepparish.org
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Parish Newsletter - August 2011
A Service of the Parish Evaluation Project
Milwaukee, Wisconsin