A Leader Lives for Others
The one who is lifted up as a head of Israel must be the one who gives everything to those in his care.
A teaching ofRav Dovid Matisyohu Rabinowitz of Bialaרבי דוד מתתיהו רבינוביץ מביאלאProfile ›
When Hashem tells Moshe to take the count of Bnei Yisrael, the verse says literally “when you lift up the head,” and not simply “when you count.” The Rebbe, following his great-grandfather the Divrei Binah, reads this as a hint about leadership: the head who is raised must be someone who lives only for others. Mordechai was great “among the Jews,” and all his greatness was for them, while Achashverosh's generosity served himself. The Noam Elimelech teaches that a tzaddik is like rain, giving life and taking nothing. The Rebbe tells of the Divrei Binah as a child, who persuaded his brothers to spend the money they had saved on a Shabbos garment for a poor Chassid. Even Yehoshua, who never left the tent of Torah, set out the benches with his own hands. A true leader is a shepherd devoted to his flock.
Source: Lehavas David, Shemos, Ki Sisa (on Shemos 30:12), maamar 1
Everyone leads someone: a child, a younger colleague, a friend who looks to you. Today, notice who that is, and ask yourself what they need that you could give without being asked. It might be your time, your attention or a small practical help that costs you something. Do it quietly, and do not mention it. Then notice how it feels to use your influence for another and not for yourself. That is the kind of leadership the Rebbe teaches.