Quiet Leadership
Ready — In the darkest days of the Holocaust, Irena Sendler chose to act. A Polish social worker in Nazi-occupied Warsaw, Sendler displayed extraordinary courage and moral leadership by rescuing over 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto.
Set — Sendler’s assembled and led a secret network of over 20 helpers, coordinating dangerous missions with precision. She inspired trust, acted under pressure, and adapted in life-threatening situations. Her leadership showed the kind of resourcefulness great leaders possess.
Five key aspects of Sendler's leadership:
Courage in Action: Sendler risked her life daily to smuggle over 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust.
Servant Leadership: She led a secret network of over 20 individuals, demonstrating compassion, humility, and a deep commitment to others’ well-being.
Creative Problem Solving: Children were rescued using ingenious methods, e.g., hidden in toolboxes, sacks, or coffins to evade Nazi detection.
Integrity Under Pressure: Despite arrest and torture by the Gestapo, she refused to reveal her collaborators or the children’s identities.
Long-term Vision: Sendler documented each child’s real name and family, storing them in jars so they could be reunited with loved ones after the war.
Grow! — Sendler’s quiet leadership saved lives and changed the course of history. Leadership is about standing for what is right, even when the world stands against you.
Two Questions
What convictions drive your leadership?
Are you building a team to serve a cause greater than yourself?