by Steven Windmueller We are experiencing the greatest institutional crisis since the 1930s. What is particularly unique to this current situation involves its level of complexity - social structures of all types must contend with issues of such magnitude, that normal decision-making practices seem inadequate and even problematic. The degree of uncertainty seems so incredibly profound. We have entered into uncharted territory with respect to the leadership challenges before us. In this context, being told to “think outside of the box” may no longer have credence, as the box itself seems to be a moving target! Complexity is the Name of the Game: In confronting this current environment, leaders are being introduced to a whole new set of operational challenges. Leading in an environment of chaos … [Read more...]

by David Teutsch Oy, what a tough year to be a Jewish leader! Stock-market losses wreaked havoc with endowments and budgets, and fundraising challenges skyrocketed. Organizations directly or indirectly invested with Bernard Madoff faced even greater losses. Then came firings and slashing of programs, and news of rabbis involved in money-laundering and the selling of human organs. Under such conditions, what could leaders do? What it means to be a leader is not to hold office or sit on a board; you are only a leader when you lead. And you can lead from anyplace in the organization. That simple truth is denied every time someone uses the term "leader" as a euphemism for "giver" or "board member." To be a Jewish leader (as opposed to just a leader in a Jewish organization or a leader who just … [Read more...]

It hit me - something is wrong with this picture. It hardly surprises when we read a press release announcing that another company or non profit has reduced its staffing - usually accompanied by a note of regret that financial exigencies - or some other carefully worded euphemism - necessitated these reductions. [A firing by any other name, even if part of a crowd, is the loss of a job.] The recent deep recession has almost inured us to these announcements - after all, what can one expect during a time when income, purchasing power, and contributions are down and prospects for improvement hardly in the offing? But in the last few days, two national not for profit organizations announced a restructuring which, incidentally, included staff reductions. What got my attention was that both … [Read more...]

You are in good company if, as head of a start-up organization, you are wary about promoting your idea, and raising the money necessary to succeed. Whatever makes you nervous about the process - the economy, public speaking, grant writing, asking for money, the gnawing frustration that this is not how you had envisioned spending your time, and the unspoken worry that your words will not do justice to your cause - it is inevitable that fears arise when we are faced with the challenge of conveying our passion, and fighting for its life. “Making the pitch,” orally or on paper, to a Foundation or to an individual, to your mother or to a potential client, is among the most daunting tasks any organization, and especially a start-up, faces. You are not alone. Numerous figures in TaNaKh were challenged … [Read more...]