Name: The Leader as a Mensch
Rating: 4.3 (94 reviews)
Author: Bruna Martinuzzi

What’s in it for me? Discover what makes a true leader.

In many Jewish communities, the German word “Mensch” no longer simply means “man” or “human being”; it connotes a host of positive attributes and admirable traits. A Mensch is a man or woman with integrity and honor – a stalwart human being.

The traits that constitute a Mensch – or, for that matter, any truly great leader – have a tree-like structure. Just as a tree has roots, a trunk and branches and leaves, a Mensch has traits that root her firmly to the ground, others that keep her upright and some that provide a comfortable shade for those she leads.

When all these traits are combined, you get a leader that inspires others and can create a creative atmosphere in which people do their best work. But what exactly are these traits?

In these blinks, you’ll also learn

why former NFL player Anthony Kevin Dungy never brags;
why a sense of responsibility is crucial in a leader; and
what a cleaning lady has to do with curing cancer.

The roots of a great leader lie in humility, empathy and authenticity.

We all know that a tree without roots doesn’t stand a chance. It’ll fail to grow and a gust of wind could bring it crashing down. Well, the same goes for leaders. But what makes the solid roots of a great leader – or, in the author’s words, a great Mensch?

First off, humility helps a Mensch view things through the eyes of a novice, and this opens the door to infinite possibilities. Just take Anthony Kevin Dungy, a former NFL player and the current coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Despite his innumerable accomplishments, he never brags or even talks about himself.

Rather, he teaches his players in a toned-down, humble manner. He listens to their thoughts and is constantly learning himself.

The second thing about Mensch leaders is their awareness that sticking to their values will enable them to make a unique contribution to the world. Or, to put it simply, they’re authentic.

That means they stick to what they know is right, no matter what. For instance, if a Mensch profoundly cares for the environment, but learns he can make more money by using unsustainable materials, he’ll ignore that option altogether. This is a key Mensch quality because it makes those around them happier and more respectful.

And finally, the third root of Mensch leaders is empathy, which helps them build trust by making others feel safe and understood. For instance, a Mensch takes into consideration how others feel about themselves during interactions. By being present and focusing entirely during any conversation, a Mensch shows others that he cares about what they have to say.

But empathy doesn’t mean you have to make everyone like you. To paraphrase former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell: if you try to please everybody, you’ll avoid tough choices and shy away from confronting people when you should. According to him, this will only lead to your coming off as fake and untrustworthy.

A strong trunk based on optimism, responsibility and mastery will hold a Mensch upright.

Okay, now that you know what gives a great leader her roots, it’s time to look at some above-ground attributes. It goes without saying that the first thing a leader should be is optimistic. Without optimism, a leader can neither inspire nor convince – but, beyond that, there are two essential pieces to a Mensch’s “trunk.”

The first is a willingness to take responsibility. After all, nobody wants to do a bad job and, when that inevitable misstep occurs, it takes courage to do the right thing: to be responsible and fix what went wrong. Not just that, but being honest and admitting you made a mistake will help you maintain the trusting relationships you’ve established with others.

Mensch leaders create a creative atmosphere through their mood, generosity and appreciation.

Now that you’ve got a picture of the roots and the trunk, it’s time to learn about the branches of a Mensch leader. The first one is a leader’s mood, which sets the tone for the organization. That’s why a Mensch is acutely aware of how his mood affects the productivity and engagement of those around him.

For instance, leadership literature is loaded with studies that show how leaders set the office environment. These studies explain that more energetic and enthusiastic leaders make for more cooperative teams that work together more effectively.

Key ideas in The Leader as a Mensch