MARCH 2024

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S LETTER
Applying the Principles of St. Patrick
How many times have you
heard various citizens give
various accounts of an issue?
Let’s look at March for
example. Is it correct to say it
is more like summer or more
like winter? “It was one of
those March days when the
sun shines hot and the wind
blows cold: when it is summer
in the light, and winter
in the shade.” (Charles Dickens
from Great Expectations)
You as an effective leader
must not only hear various
opinions but really listen to
what the person is saying.
Often there is a part of truth
on both sides – like Dickens’
opinion of March quoted
above – part summer, part
winter. So how apt that it’s
now March, and around the
world, people will be celebrating
the tales of St. Patrick
(c. 385 – c. 461). We’ve all
heard of him driving snakes
from Ireland, and the stories
are light-hearted and sweet.
But what many people may
not realize, is that through
the long-lasting memory of
St. Patrick, numerous lessons
in leadership can be found.
St. Patrick was a passionate
visionary. As a teenager, he
was enslaved by Irish Raiders
and taken from England
to serve at the whim of the
Irish. In a strange twist of
fate though, when he escaped,
he found he’d gained
an appreciation and an understanding
of his captors.
He wanted to return and
work with them so they
could improve and progress.
So, that’s exactly what he
did after becoming a cleric.
He returned to spread the
message of Christianity
in northern
and western
Ireland, as
he firmly
believed it
would better
them as
a people. His
passion for the
Irish led to a vision
where he could
be of service to them.
St. Patrick was also a man of
courage, and as we all know,
courage in abundance is
necessary to be a great leader.
He wanted to help the
Irish, but he wasn’t sure of
how or whether or not he
was worthy of leading their
charge of change. He was
faced with threats and discouraged
by setbacks, but
he also worked hard to remain
courageous and forge
ahead. As public servants,
it’s not off base to know
you’ll at times have doubts
or even fears about how to
move your municipalities
forward. But much like St.
Patrick, a great leader will be
there for his or her people
no matter what.
Leaders who can
not only listen,
but genuinely
hear, from
all constituents
are of
great value.
St. Patrick was
one such leader.
He didn’t harp
on differences and instead
listened to, and heard all, as
the people within the community
often knew the ins
and outs of situations far
better than he. He encouraged
open communication,
as it helped motivate and
encourage everyone.
Are you a good leader if
you can talk the talk but not
walk the walk? The answer
is no. St. Patrick was a master
of both. He had a way of
speaking that encapsulated
every facet of a story so that
nothing could be taken out
of context. It made him relatable,
which is a trait highly
trusted by people. He talked
the talk and walked the walk
in a way that made everyone
We are always striving
to grow and better our
offerings to you because you
are striving for the same.
It’s a partnership we value
greatly.
Richard Williams
Deputy Director
feel a part of his ideas.
Taking charge and leading
are skills that can be honed
over time. As public servants,
they’re traits that the
LMA assists with improving
through our many resources,
workshops, conferences,
and conventions. We are always
striving to grow and
better our offerings to you
because you are striving for
the same. It’s a partnership
we value greatly.
St. Patrick’s courage, persistence,
and effective
leadership were largely responsible
for establishing
Christianity in Ireland. One
mile at a time, he, and several
other priests with him,
traveled peacefully and unarmed
through the dangerous
realms of the warlike
Celts and Druids. He founded
hundreds of churches
and monasteries. In your
municipalities, take it one
mile or issue at a time, travel
peacefully, build a coalition
to take others with you, and
effect the change you desire
to make your hometown the
best it can be.
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LMR | MARCH 2024