Leadership Guidelines for New Pope: UMD-Smith Expert

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – With the cardinals in Vatican City electing the successor to retired Benedict XVI, Gilad Chen, an organizational behavior expert in the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, describes leadership fundamentals the new Pope should follow:

"Like their counterparts in business, religious leaders critically set and execute the vision and direction of their organization – in this case a 1.2 billion-member Catholic Church.

"The next Pope ideally would enable the Catholic Church to adapt effectively to current and future crises as well as capitalize on possible opportunities inherent in social and political changes. The new leader at the same time should work to create a renewed sense of meaning and hope throughout the Catholic world and for other social, religious and political constituents who look up to the Catholic Church for moral, social and spiritual guidance."

Chen, the Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Organizational Behavior and Department Chair, focuses his research on work motivation, adaptation, teams and leadership – with particular interest in understanding the complex interface between individuals and the socio-technical organizational context. Contact him at giladchen@rhsmith.umd.edu, 301-405-0923.

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