One of my beloved teachers shared an insight about experienced seamen: during a rough storm, their skill lies in stabilising the ship, not calming the sea. This wisdom resonates deeply with modern leadership challenges.
The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, said "At the heart of Judaism are three beliefs about leadership: We are free. We are responsible. And together we can change the world."
First Principles: Finding Our Ground
What foundations do we rely upon? Having a solid point of reference serves both as a compass, leading the way through change, and as an anchor, providing stability throughout chaos. As one leader noted: "You don't have to know the answers. You just have to make sure you understand the questions."
The Dark Side: Turning Challenges into Strengths
Jewish leadership traits can be both challenging and transformative. One leader reflected: "Being Jewish also has some negative sides. We're awkward, we're opinionated. We're independent, we don't take advice. We don't listen. We interrupt..." Yet these very traits - questioning, challenging, radical thinking - often create exceptional leaders. In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, these characteristics - when balanced thoughtfully - are precisely what organisations need. Forward-thinking companies are increasingly recognising the value of these trailblazers and innovators who dare to challenge the status quo. Many organisations may not yet fully embrace such pioneers, which explains why numerous interviewed leaders founded their own companies.
The Power of Collaborative Vision
No one can lead alone. Leadership requires collaborative vision creation. As one leader shared: "Paint a picture of what you're trying to do... put that picture up on the wall. It's a story. I always say this is the picture of where we're trying to go. And then, I remove my ego from it and step back... now is your chance to attack this picture."
Beyond the Storm: Tikkun Olam
As we navigate through change, the Jewish concept of "Tikkun Olam" (world repair) becomes crucial. This principle calls us to make the world better through our actions. In today's context, this means moving towards transformative Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable systems. Indeed, all businesses should aspire to become social enterprises - not just for profit, but for purpose.
The true art of leadership lies not just in stabilising the ship, but in knowing where we're heading. By leveraging spiritual and value-led leadership in both turbulent and smooth-sailing times, we can create meaningful change. The question isn't just about survival - it's about transformation.
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This piece draws from research titled "Compass and Anchor: Spiritual leadership in the business world – A Jewish perspective," exploring how Jewish values inform modern business leadership.
