The Turnaround Pope

December 30, 2015

When I read the BusinessWeek article, Amid Scandal, the Pope Sticks With Reforms, it occurred to me that Pope Francis is leading an incredibly challenging turnaround.  As we all know, the Catholic Church has been faced with both sexual and financial wrongdoing, and Francis seems intent on bringing an end to both.  In addition, he is urging a more welcoming and compassionate approach while also expressing his views on global issues.

Any turnaround requires significant change and involves

  1. Identifying what change is needed
  2. Defining and implementing specific actions to be taken to achieve that change
  3. Persuading key stakeholders, at every step of the way, to accept and support the change

Stakeholder persuasion is often the most challenging aspect. It has been said, “If you want to make enemies, try to change something.”  Although Francis enjoys broad support both within and outside of the Church, he also faces an entrenched bureaucracy and opposition from “conservatives.”  At least some members of those factions, threatened by or disagreeing with his actions, are surely trying to thwart his efforts.

Beneath his kind, gentle-but-strong public presence, Pope Francis must have a spine of steel.