FATHER ROGER DAWSON SJ, Superior of the Jesuits in Scotland, recently addressed Holyrood where he called for a fundamental shift towards a culture of care in society’s leadership.
His address followed on from the surprising victory of the Cambridge women’s crew in this year’s Oxford and Cambridge boat race, where the team’s success was attributed to a culture of mutual respect and support.
In his speech Fr Roger detailed how the Cambridge coach had rejected the traditional high-stress, competitive approach commonly associated with high-performance environments. Instead, the coach nurtured a caring culture that emphasised respect, trust-building and a collective progress over individual achievement.
“The crew were expected to look after each other despite the inherent competition for a place in the boat. They were to press forward together, asking what they could give, not what they could get,” Fr Roger explained, which shows the importance of these values in fostering a supportive and successful team dynamic.
Fr Roger pointed out the significant role of psychological safety in this context, referring to the brain’s amygdala, which can trigger defensive or aggressive behaviours under stress. By maintaining a calm and supportive environment, the Cambridge coach helped the team avoid the pitfalls of ‘amygdala hijack,’ enabling better decision-making and enhancing overall performance.
The Jesuit priest drew parallels between the team’s dynamics and Christian teachings, emphasising that such a culture of care and mutual support resonates deeply with Christian values. “This culture of care did not produce a crew that was soft or weak under pressure, but one that was resilient, where performance was enhanced,” he noted.
Extending his observations beyond just sports, Fr Roger argued that these principles are universally applicable and deeply rooted in Christian doctrine, advocating for their broader adoption across all sectors of society. “Is this culture of care just for sport, just for women, or rowing? I don’t think so. I think it’s human, and I also think it’s Christian. It’s for all of us as we press forward together. After all, we’re all in the same boat,” he concluded.
Who are the Jesuits?
The Society of Jesus, more commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Catholic religious order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540. Known for their education, intellectual rigour, and active involvement in global and social issues, the Jesuits have played a significant role in the spread of Catholicism around the world.
The order was established when Ignatius of Loyola, a former Spanish soldier, and a group of his companions in Paris took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Ignatius’s spiritual insights, articulated in his seminal work, The Spiritual Exercises, laid the foundation for the Jesuits’ guiding principles. The Pope officially recognised the Society of Jesus in 1540.
Throughout history, many Jesuits have left significant marks on the world. Notable figures include missionary St. Francis Xavier, one of the founding members, who played a crucial role in expanding Catholicism in Asia. In the sciences, Jesuits like Roger Boscovich and Athanasius Kircher have been pioneers. And of course Pope Francis, the first Jesuit Pope.
The Jesuits continue to be a dynamic force in the Catholic Church, distinguished by their deep commitment to education, their intellectual contributions, and their vigorous engagement in social justice issues. Their adaptability and dedication to their mission have allowed them to remain influential in various spheres of global affairs, continually striving to live out their motto, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” (For the Greater Glory of God).
Fr Roger Dawson SJ’s, Superior of the Jesuits in Scotland, speech in full:
“Thank you for inviting me to address the Scottish Parliament in this year’s Oxford and Cambridge boat race. The Cambridge women’s crew had a surprise win. More surprising, though, was the way that the coach created a culture of high performance in the crew. Most of us think that high performance environments are ones in which there is challenge where life is difficult and demanding and therefore usually miserable as well.
“But their coach created a caring culture where care and respect were guiding principles, trust and relationships were built and nurtured, and the crew were expected to look after each other despite competition for a place in the boat.
“They were to press forward together rather than compete and ask what they could give, not what they could get. Respect included. Respect for their opponents and getting things perfect was not the goal. Learning was, and in order to grow, they were encouraged to make mistakes as long as they learned from them.
“The purpose was to unlock their potential and possibility so that they could give their best performance not for themselves but for others not for themselves as individuals, but for the team key to all this was a sense of psychological safety. Right at the centre of your brain is your amygdala. This peanut sized bunch of neurons is one of the earliest devolved parts of the brain, and it’s concerned with safety and defending.
“Its main emotions are fear and anger, and once it’s fired up, it’s very hard to calm it down. Fear and anger leave us both on the defensive and on the attack, a state known as amygdala hijack and we don’t make good decisions. Under the effects of amygdala hijack. The Cambridge crew were kept safe, and they kept each other safe.
“This was not a macho environment of who is the biggest or the toughest. The culture of care did not produce a crew, though that was soft or weak under pressure, but one that was resilient in which performance was enhanced.
“It was a winning boat. This built not just confidence but courage. They were eager to learn from each other modest, respectful and committed to supporting each other. Is this culture of care just for sport? Is it just for women or roaring? I don’t think so. I think it’s human, and I also think it’s Christian. It’s for all of us as we press forward together. After all, we’re all in the same boat. Thank you.”
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