How to Become an Effective Leader through living a Virtuous Life?

This Saturday I attended the Catholic Leadership Conference at Catholic University. Although I have been to the National Shrine before, I never actually walked around the campus before and I contemplated upon applying to law school there. One of the breakout sessions that I attended touched upon the topic called How to Become an Effective Leader? I learned about upholding the moral cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice, in order to become an effective leader. In the world we are living today, I noticed most politicians no longer established themselves as humble, sympathetic, or charitable. Sometimes exhibiting these moral behaviors labels a leader as weak. There is so much public distrust between the people and the politicians that the general public disconnect themselves from becoming politically engaged in the community.

Take for example what happened in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. There were various reports of high ranking officials staying at home and sipping their coffee, while many people affected by the storm were desperate for help. The problem revolves around political corruption in the Philippines, because high ranking political officials are notorious for laundering money, tax evasion, bribery, and stealing relief aid from the Filipino people. In addition, how often do you see our elected officials exhibiting humility and empathy by going out of their daily routine to help the most vulnerable individuals in society, such as the poor and sick. Too many elected officials become so caught with power, wealth, and fame that they forget about their finding resolutions to the various problems plaguing their constituents.

We need more leaders to step out their party lines to appeal to the people by upholding moral virtues and reestablishing trust. It concerns me to see we are slowing dissolving moral virtues, because the media always depicts politicians cheating on their spouse, promiscuity, excessive drug use, money, violence, etc. I am seriously thinking about putting my law school application for Catholic University, I looked over their curriculum and they offer classes and a certificate program for the concentration in law that I want to practice in. Before I leave Washington DC, I hope to attend a admission tour before I leave; but the rich Roman Catholic atmosphere throughout the campus has really grabbed my attention throughout the time I was there. Lastly, I took the time to tour the entire basement of the National Shrine after the conference. I was amazed to see so many artifacts, informative exhibits, and the rich history of the Catholic Church in the world. Here is my favorite picture that I took of the Blessed Mother.