Leadership Prayers

Leaders need words of inspiration and reflection. I have asked people in leadership positions to share words that get them through difficult times and give their leadership more intentionality. If you have a prayer that you say and would like to share, please send it to Erica@leadingwithmeaning.com.

My friend Bruce Wildman said that the closing prayer of the Amidah gives him strength through leadership difficulties…

My God, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceitfully. To those who curse me, may my soul be unresponsive; and let my soul be like dust to all. Open my heart to your Torah and let my soul pursue your commandments. And all who plan evil against me, quickly annul their counsel and frustrate their intention…May the words of my mouth be acceptable and the thoughts of my heart before You, Adonai, my Rock and Redeemer, who makes peace in High Heavens. And may God make peace for us and for all Israel and let us say Amen.

What about accountability? I’ve collected these Yom Kippur themed confessions. Try this exercise with your board or staff to think about mistakes and improvement.

For the Sin of…

• Judging someone with out listening to the entire story.
• Not sharing my heartfelt views.
• Simply accepting "good enough"
• Not wanting to rock the boat.
• Not hearing the views of others.
• Not being Jewishly literate enough to lead.
• Not encouraging other people to get involved.
• Not being 100% present when I should have been.
• Not trying to make a change because it was the path of least resistance.
• Taking on too much or too little and not prioritizing.
• Seeking acknowledgement.
• Jumping to conclusions.
• Not responding to people's requests in a timely manner.
• Marginalizing someone for their contrary opinion.
• Continuing the status quo rather than progressing.
• Being a manager rather than a visionary.
• Not effectively delegating responsibility.  
• Assuming that my ideas are better than anyone or everyone else's in the room.
• Taking too much on and not letting others do their part.
• Spreading myself too thin and not fully being present.
• Not accepting others for who they are.
• Expecting too much.
• Already thinking of the next thing on the to-do list rather than being fully present.
• Not fully listening.
• Not fully embracing someone's suggestion or idea.
• Micromanaging a process.
• Always turning to the same volunteers to accomplish a task, serve on a committee, or asking only their opinions.
• Not following an agenda, or for the sin of putting too many items on the agenda.
• Not standing up for what I know I believe because of apathy or laziness 
• Failing to distinguish desire from require
• Failing to call a fellow colleague or friend with no agenda but rather just say hello.
• Not being present when I need to listen carefully and respectfully.
• Not showing enough gratitude to those who deserve my thanks and appreciation.
• Haughtiness.
• Too much consensus building.
• Judging others.
• Levity (which can deflect attention from serious issues or deficiencies).
• Not allowing for self-reflection.
• Idle conversation (gossip).