Year of the City

The lecture given by Chris Lowney presented the different dimensions and ideas that fabricate a superior leader. As a former senior managing officer of the prestigious financial firm J. P. Morgan, Mr. Lowney has experienced the difficulties surrounding the issues in the corporate world. Through his corporate experiences, years of learning as a Jesuit seminarian, and work with the Catholic Medical Mission Board, Mr. Lowney has developed a definition of leadership called by some the “Jesuit approach in the business world.”
Mr. Lowney said in his lecture that we are the leaders of the world. Every person is a leader. The dictionary definition of leader given by Mr. Lowney was “pointing out a goal and pursuing it.” He developed four ideas that compile the ideals that make a capable leader. Self awareness, ingenuity, love, and heroism are the principles that are exemplified in good leaders.
An example of these found in literature is Kahu in Witi Ihimaera’s Whale Rider. In the novel, Kahu was an able-bodied learner that was talented in the classroom. She was a gifted student at the top of her class. The fact that she was a female presents ingenuity in the novel. Her gender and the fact that she was heir to the title of chief is an example of adapting to the changing world. Although leadership was something normally passed to the men, around the world women were acting as equal participants in society. This was an adaptation that the Maori tribe also needed to make. Kahu’s love is present throughout the novel. She shows her love for her family, her people, the whale’s, and most of all, Koro in almost every scene in which she is present. Heroism is depicted in the in the scene in which Kahu goes with the whales to save the Maori people. This shows both love and heroism.
Leadership is an important quality that needs to be possessed by all people. The population needs to embody this quality to better represent others and to solve the problems of the community. In Baltimore, many problems such as poverty, theft, and drugs are found and need to be resolved. By working toward the future with moral values, goals can more effectively be achieved.
In his lecture, Chris Lowney stated that “people who are the most successful are the best versions of themselves.” By being ourselves and following the ideals stated by Mr. Lowney, we can make a difference in the world around us. Mr. Lowney makes a difference everyday through his participation in the Catholic Medical Mission Board, where he helps people with health problems such as HIV in countries including Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia. His worldwide travels have given in a well-rounded view of the world and different societies.
Loyola College believes that its students have the responsibility to inspire to learn, lead, and serve. By participating in programs such as those organized by Campus Ministry and the Center for Community Service and Justice, we can make a difference in Baltimore and the Loyola Community. By learning to the best of our abilities and being dedicated to those around us, we can experience life in a more meaningful way. Mr. Lowney said that “life is a leadership opportunity.” By living life to the fullest and being ourselves, we can be the best leaders and make effective changes in our communities and the world.