For anyone seeking a condensed lesson in leadership, examining the recent developments in America provides a compelling starting point. On full display this past week were a wide variety of leadership styles and approaches.
As I listened to the words and observed the actions of several of the most influential people in the world, I was reminded of my brief but impactful time as a doctoral student in organizational leadership at the University of Oklahoma. My studies were cut short when Charles Schusterman passed away, necessitating my full focus on the needs of the foundation.
Despite its brevity, that academic experience was deeply enriching. I engaged with the ideas of classical thinkers like Plato and Sun Tzu, as well as modern scholars such as Warren Bennis, Robert K. Greenleaf and Ronald Heifetz. This exposure reaffirmed that effective leadership is diverse and context-dependent, shaped by both the leader’s skills and the specific circumstances at hand.
The events of this past week vividly illustrated these diverse leadership approaches. President Biden offered a poignant lesson in humility and self-sacrifice by demonstrating “leadership by leaving,” an all too rarely employed style that prioritizes stepping away when it is best for the greater good. Vice President Harris exemplified transformational leadership, inspiring and motivating others to transcend their self-interests for the benefit of the collective, which often results in greater engagement and performance.
From former President Trump, we witnessed the kind of leadership we have come to expect. His pronouncements reflected a complex mix of transactional (focused on rewards and punishments), charismatic, authoritarian, populist and disruptive elements that often comes across as more divisive than unifying. And from Prime Minister Netanyahu, we saw defiant leadership, one full of resilience and determination coupled with charisma and persuasion.
Finally, sitting behind Prime Minister Netanyahu during his speech and presiding over the Joint Session of Congress, was my favorite leader: Senator Benjamin L. Cardin. The senior senator from Maryland embodies the “quiet leader” archetype—subtle, thoughtful, and empathetic. His leadership style focuses on listening, creating space for others, and leading by example. As he prepares to leave office at the end of the year, cousin Ben’s unparalleled legacy of service to Maryland, the United States, and the Jewish community stands as a testament to the best style of leadership of them all: one that endures and continues to improve the world even after the leader’s responsibilities have been fulfilled.
Shabbat shalom, and may this be the week when the hostages return home,
