SacredLeadership Blog

Why the “Sacred” in Sacred Leadership?

May 4th, 2007 by jdavis

Over the past several years, many people questioned my use of the word “sacred” in the context of Sacred Leadership. They were concerned that it would cause confusion about the purpose of Sacred Leadership, limiting it to a religious audience only. The question has arisen again with the launch of the sacredleaderhip.org web site.

I had been struggling for over a year to find a term that really defined the kind of leadership and commitment to the common good that I was thinking about. One night I awoke with the answer “sacred leadership” which literally came to me in my sleep. Now I couldn’t ignore that kind of sign! Sacred has two meanings; the first is sacred in the religious sense; and the second is sacred in the sense of sacrosanct - that is, something that is inviolable, worthy of respect, something that cannot not be done. It was the second use of the word that defined the “sacredness” of the mission to serve the common good. No other word truly describes the profound importance of of this deep level of service to the common good.

This issue came up in a recent conversation with Dr. Jeffrey McCausland. Jeff is a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, former academic dean at the Army War College and visiting professor at the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law and School of International Affairs.

Jeff pointed out that, even in the context of Sacred Leadership, we could look at sacred from both perspectives. Sacred with a capital “S” referring to the religious use of its meaning and sacred with a small “s” in the context of Sacred Leadership. He proposed that the possible misunderstanding of the use of the word could in fact have a positive outcome.

Jeff proposed that sacredleadership.org might serve as a meeting space where the two perspectives could come together to find common ground. Certainly this kind of dialogue among leaders of both persuasions would be more postive than the shrill voices we hear on both sides of today’s secular/religious debate.

This dialogue is most welcome if it allows calmer and more “sacred” voices can be heard as we work together as Sacred Leaders serving the common good.

What do you think?

4 Responses to “Why the “Sacred” in Sacred Leadership?”

on 11 May 2007 at 11:45 am1 Rebecca

The word sacred goes back to the very core of what we are. We hear people say that “you have a sacred responsibility to…” and in that context it is not thought of as religious. So why should it be here?

I would be interested to see a discussion between the religious and non that does not become that shrill voice but rather accomplishes some resolution toward the common good. I feel that those on both “sides” have the tendency to become forceful and defensive of there beliefs rather than focusing on the specific issue under discussion.
on 11 May 2007 at 4:46 pm2 jdavis

Well folks, Rebecca has asked for a dialogue about what is “sacred” in the religious and non-religious context. Can we have such a discussion? Can we find common ground?

Let’s here from you.
on 25 Jun 2007 at 2:56 pm3 Bob Frank

Hi Jim,
This is the first chance I have had to look at your website. Very exciting!!
On the word Sacred or how it hit me when I read some of you thoughts… I think of it more as perspective. Taking a look at a topic or leadership not only from the “front” but the “top” “side,” “back” and “underneath.” It is kind of “knowing your room” even when the light is off and you can’t see a thing.

Anyway I’ll chat more later.
Bob
on 30 Jun 2007 at 8:57 am4 jdavis

Bob,

Thanks for particiipating and sharing your thoughts. I like your metaphor aoubt “know your room.” I look forward to continuing the conversation.