On The Journey Toward Claiming Leadership

I live in a L'Arche community - a community centered on the needs and gifts of people with intellectual disabilities. Leadership is an important element of our community culture. We have a Leadership Team that is responsible for the management of our homes and programs. Every home and program has a leader. We send people to learn about leadership development. We know that leaders are essential for our community life.
For core members, the people with intellectual disabilities at the heart of our community, it is often very important that leadership roles be clearly held. They want to know who is responsible for the house they live in, who is the boss at their workplace, who is on the Community Council, and who is the leader of the community. Core members can also be transparent about their desire to carry leadership: they take pride in cooking a nice dinner, saying grace before a meal, leading a house meeting, making a candle, or participating in a liturgy. They recognize that it is possible to offer leadership in many ways, and they look for these opportunities.
Several years ago we welcomed Mary Cosby from Church of the Saviour in Washington, D.C., to lead our community in a retreat. I will never forget when she shared her experience and belief that "we are each leaders at the place of our gift. We are each followers at the place of gift in the other." When our claim of leadership is grounded in a belief in and acceptance of our gifts, our relationships thrive and our communities flourish.

- Carl MacMillan