Touchstones for Leadership
摘要
This chapter, Touchstones for Leadership, translates the understandings developed in earlier chapters into lenses that inform the expectations of those who lead for mission in the Catholic school. It introduces the concept of touchstones as indicators by which mission leadership can be assessed for its authentic essence. It identifies four key touchstones: personal identity, relational identity, ecclesial identity, and cultural identity. Personal identity involves knowing oneself and responding to the invitation to serve. Ecclesial identity encompasses being graced and gifted, embracing a Gospel imagination, and serving as a sign and instrument of God’s love. Relational identity emphasises encounter, dialogue, and contemplation as ways of fostering connection and collaboration. Cultural identity involves embodying Catholic social teachings of collegiality, subsidiarity, and the common good in organisational structures and processes. The chapter concludes by presenting a model that integrates these touchstones with the expectations of the Australian Professional Standard for Principals (AITSL, Website data. Retrieved from: aitsl.edu.au , 2019).