Rabbi George Gittleman is the Senior Rabbi at Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, CA. Over the course of navigating crises like September 11th, the Sonoma County Wildfires, and the recent Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, he has run the gamut of experiences in leadership under pressure. He joins us to discuss the extraordinary insights he has gathered and the tools he uses to be at his best when it is needed most.
Key Learnings
Recognizing when the normal parameters around leadership go away
Learning to handle a community crisis and his own fight or flight response
Dealing with his community needs after 9/11 and what he learned to do differently
The desire to flee when the Sonoma County Wildfires broke out and how he pushed through
How Rabbi George overcomes the flight response so he can lead effectively
The power of using the emotion within an environment as a leadership tool
How self-discovery informs effective leadership
Recognizing and dealing with leadership failures
Disruptive behavior and how he overcomes it
The impact of mental agility and emotional stability in a crisis
The impact and evaluation of the recent Interfaith Ceremony
What professions would be good to cross-pollinate with around leadership
The personal cost of leadership, how he restores himself, and the importance of a good work environment
The Interfaith Solidarity Service can be viewed here.