Skills, Competencies, and Habits

Abstract

Prior to attending the retreat, participants provided a body of wisdom in response to the pre-retreat question of what skills and competencies they personally associate with a spiritually developed mature leader. Responses included transcendental presence, intentional concern for the well-being of others that is generated from a decision to love, rather than feelings or emotions. They demonstrated a high regard for compassion and acceptance. Participants also mentioned skills such as the ability to ask provocative questions, to meditate, to pray, and to be present with others, realizing that knowledge is relational. Additional competencies and skills included the ability to lift others up and discover their own potential. Others spoke to the importance of having appropriately thick skin and the ability to not take personally the reactions of others. Such leaders were identified as having a willingness to learn from their mistakes and find a balance between self-confidence and realizing their own vulnerabilities. Participants brought much of this collective wisdom to the retreat.