Saints and Business Leaders: A St. Patrick’s Day Message
As the world celebrates St. Patrick’s Day amidst the continuing pandemic, I couldn’t help but reflect on the parallels between the Ireland of his day and the uncertainties we face today. Most of what we know about St. Patrick comes from two primary sources: his Confessio, or spiritual autobiography, and his Letter to Coroticus denouncing British mistreatments of Irish Christians. He was born in Britain to a Roman military officer in the late fourth century and reached adulthood in the early days of 5th century Ireland. It was a time of suffering, uncertainty, and transition in which the end of Roman rule in Britain to the south, paved the way for Irish raiders such as the Uí Liatháin and Laigin to plunder the British coast and bring the spoils back to Ireland. These early raiders laid the foundation for the emergence of a new Irish political elite which would culminate nearly 500 years later with the 10th century Irish High King Niall Glúndub tracing his lineage back to the Uí Néill who is believed to have died circa 450AD. To put it mildly, the St. Patrick we know today was no stranger to uncertainty and change.
He first came to Ireland as a slave, having been abducted by a band of Irish pirates. He writes in his Confessio that he would spend the next six years in slavery working as a shepherd and caring for livestock in the Northern Ireland before escaping back to his family in Britain as a stowaway on a merchant vessel. His time as a slave forged a deep connection to his faith and after returning to his family, he believed it was his purpose to go back to Ireland, not as a slave to its people, but rather as a servant of his God. To prepare for this work, we would spend the next twelve years studying and preparing himself to return to Ireland to take up his mission there which lasted twenty years until his death on March 17th in the year 461 (or 463 depending on your calendar of choice).
As we observe St. Patrick’s Day today, March 17th, 2021 with our green clothing, libations, and socially distant gatherings, it is worth taking a moment to pause from our celebrations, and consider what lessons Patrick’s sainted life might have for business leaders today:
Structure matters: Your impact is not limited to the work of your own hands. When St. Patrick died, he left behind an enormous number of converts. But just as important, he left behind an organizational structure that would allow his converts to continue his work after his death and continue growing the church without him until it became one of the most dominant forces in Irish society. For business leaders and CEOs looking to make the world a better place, they would do well to adopt St. Patrick’s example and strive to create systems and support structures that will survive their departure from the firm and continue the work after they are gone.
Make the vision tangible: Among the most famous legends about St. Patrick is the tale of the shamrock. He used the three-leaved clover as an object lesson to illustrate the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit being separate elements of a single entity). His use of a ubiquitous weed to give his followers a tangible expression of his leadership vision would ultimately elevate the humble little plant to become a globally recognized symbol of Irish heritage.
Address injustice: In his letter to Coroticus, St. Patrick strongly denounced British mistreatment of Irish Christians. While Irish Christians were certainly not the only recipients of poor treatment at the hands of 5th century British soldiers, St. Patrick’s military father, his British upbringing, and his personal history left him uniquely positioned to address this particular inequality. His life serves as an example for any leader wishing to make a positive impact in the face of uncertainty, fear, and change.
So, as you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day today, my wish for you is that you take a moment to think about the structures you are building to continue your work when your hands are not present to do it. May you find ways to make your vision tangible for your people. And may you find opportunities to make a positive impact and address injustice in ways that are uniquely suited to you. In the words of the Irish blessing, “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Let’s get to work!
