I enjoyed meeting tonight Dr. Thomas David Zweifel, author, The Rabbi and the CEO, who spoke to the UJA-Federation Wall Street Division. He’s CEO of SwissConsultingGroup.com . Unfortunately, his coauthor, Rabbi Aaron Raskin, could not join us.

Following are my notes on his presentation.
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This crisis is also an opportunity: a new style/model of leadership.

I met Rabbi Raskin on 9/12/01. I was sitting grieving in NY, and he came up to me and asked, “Are you Jewish?” I said yes, and he offered me tefillin. I said, “I’ve never done it in my life, but I guess today is a day to do it.”

Exercise for the audience: “Think of 3 leaders that you know of that are the best leaders you have ever known.”
And followup, “Think of 3 worst leaders that you know of.”

From the audience: great leaders list include:
Obama, Gandhi, Socrates, Aristotle, Obama (based on hope), Abraham Lincoln, Mother Theresa, Steve Jobs, George Washington, Churchill, MLK, FDR, Golda Meir.

Criteria for great leader:
- Favoring community’s needs over self-interest
- Positive vision (defined as advancing human rights)
- Honest
- Humble
- Leading by example/good person

Criteria for bad leader:
- Kills significant number of own people

Story: a woman comes to Gandhi with her 8-year-old son. Her mom says to Gandhi, “Tell my son to stop eating sugar.”. Gandhi says, “Come back in 2 weeks.” She goes back and then returns. She says, “Tell my son to stop eating sugar.” He says, “Stop eating sugar.” She said: “Why 2 weeks wait??!!” Gandhi, “It took me 2 weeks to stop eating sugar.”

Some of these leaders would have difficulty today, in a multicultural global world.

Example: Churchill was asked by a minister, “Put your ear to the ground.” Churchill said, “I will not be found in that ungainly position.”

How do we get out of this crisis?
3000 years ago we got a system of ethical decision-making.

First Commandment says, “Remember G-d because he took you out of Egypt (literally from the straits.). Leave your comfort zone.

Maurice Greenberg—had reputation for arrogance.
Once dressed a board member down publicly when the board member asked questions about their finances. Disconnect between mgmt. and employees caused a lot of problems.

Commandment 2: You shall have no idols.

Many of the most successful people did not target $ as their goal. (Oprah, Bill Gates.)
Good goal: do something unique .
Commandment 3: Don’t use the name of God in vain.
Lead with your language.

Commandment 4: Keep Shabbat.
Be willing to say no; that’s a hallmark of a leader.

Henny Youngman said he tried to be atheist, but gave up because they don’t have holidays.

Commandment 5: honor your father and mother.
If you can appreciate your parents you can appreciate almost anybody.

A lot of leaders use intimidation. Who you appreciate gives you power.

Commandment 6: Don’t kill.
Regulate/channel your anger.

Commandment 7: No adultery.
Lead by example.

Commandment 8: Don’t steal.
Give back to charity (e.g., UJA)

Make a pledge.
1987: Raul Julia jumps out of his chair and pledges large amount despite the fact that he said, “I have no job, no future , no movie.” He was giving from the future he envisioned himself to have.

Commandment 9: No false testimony. When the news is bad, give it.

Failed CEOs are surrounded by people who don’t tell them bad news. Warren Buffett said ‘a CEO who lies in public will end up lying to himself in private.”

Look at your underlying goal: Pfizer’s cardiovascular drug had “big” side effect … which became Viagra. Go ‘From breakdown to breakthrough.’

Commandment 10: Don’t covet your neighbor’s possessions.
Stand in the others’ shoes.