Leading with a Servant’s Heart

by Taka Harada

As I watched the United States’ leadership transition take place this week, the difference in leadership styles could not be more profound. We pivoted from one leader who espoused the “America first – Me first” never-mind-about-others mentality, to a leader who immediately exhibited a servant’s heart. It was rejuvenating to watch our new leader express gratitude for all of the other selfless individual’s in our nation and society – the countless doctors and nurses and healthcare workers, who sacrificed and gave so much during this pandemic. It was his “servant’s heart” that helped the nation express their own unacknowledged and unaddressed sorrow in the loss of over 400,000 souls to the current pandemic. Someone who leads with a servant’s heart is what was so desperately needed in the midst of the multiple crises we currently face in our country. Soaking in this transition, I reflected back on a man the Catholic church calls “Saint Damien,” the saint of Kalaupapa. This was a man who truly exhibited leadership with a servant’s heart. He was tough and demanding with the Catholic hierarchy in insisting on meeting the needs of his flock, to the point of being a thorn in their side. He was fearless in living among the patients of Kalaupapa and treating the Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) patients in Molokai at a time when all others were afraid to be in their presence. He insisted on being a voice for the voiceless. The light of his soul can still be felt for those who have the opportunity to traverse this remote stretch of land beneath the cliffs of Molokai. So as we in the United Church of Christ celebrate Kalaupapa Sunday this month, I’d like to share a poem from “Kalaupapa in Poetry” and ask us all to reflect on having “a servant’s heart” to shine your light in the areas of need within our individual communities. Mahalo for all that each of you do to contribute to making this world a better place!