Leadership and Jewish thought

Leadership is easy when budgets are flush and times are good, and our pithy Buddhist sounding slogans seem wise. However, when resources are tight and tempers are running high, things are much more challenging. Suddenly the challenge of mentoring our staff can seem overwhelming. It is easy to look at two faculty members arguing and wish that they would just "get over it" and move forward. But wishing others to change, or blaming a certain group of employees is the least effective way to change a situation. And in some ways the least ethical. What if I use Jewish ethics...what would a challenging situation look like?

In Jewish thought, rather than looking at a difficult employee and wishing for them to change, the situation should cause me to think "what should I be doing?"  This person and this experience have been placed in my life as a way for me to learn and grow spiritually, or perhaps there is a gift I can give to others. If I focus on what I should be doing, I stop thinking about how the other person needs to change. I change the focus from the deficiency of the other to the gift that I can give, and the gift that I receive from dealing with this person.

Interestingly, when I stop focusing on what is wrong with the other person, I create a space that I can fill with something that will actually help shift the situation. Perhaps I can recognize with is good about the other person, and fill that space with appreciation. If I can appreciate something about the other, then I can approach this person with respect. When I treat another person with respect I hold up a mirror in front of them so that they can see their own goodness and potential.

I do not know if this will work with everyone and every situation, but I do know that it works in my friendships and intimate relationships, and that it is powerful in the classroom with students. I can choose to appreciate and respect them and watch them rise to the academic challenges. 

And so, this is another one of my adventures, shifting my leadership style so that I create more powerful ripples in the world. This might be a very small step in a world so full of complex problems, but it is a step.