TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF THE PERSON AND THE COMMUNITY
Gintaras Vitkus
St. Ignatius Loyola College, Kaunas, Lithuania
Keywords: Ignatian Leadership; Ignatian spirituality; leadership model; personal transformation; transformational leadership
Abstract:
This article discloses the contemporary relevance of Ignatian leadership as a transformative model grounded in the spirituality of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuit tradition. A qualitative methodology was used to review about 20 documents and to reflect the author’s personal experience. The findings show that this leadership model emerged to renew the Society of Jesus’s apostolic mission, modernise its educational management, and empower both laypeople and Jesuits in leadership roles. Grounded in Ignatian spirituality—particularly in the practice of discernment aimed at promoting actions inspired by the Magis, in ever deeper and greater service to the most universal good—it seeks to serve others and promote the common good. Over time, the model has expanded beyond religious contexts, offering a counter-cultural and ethically grounded leadership style applicable in educational, managerial and civic settings. This shift of focus not only paves the way for institutional change but also guides individuals towards a more authentic and meaningful life. Five main characteristics were listed to describe the transformative nature of this model.
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