Leadership Beyond a Lifetime: Lessons from Avraham and Sarah

“leadership is about developing other people”

When we think about leadership, what usually comes to mind? We think about people who have authority, people who make decisions, people who influence others, or people who have the ability to guide others in a particular direction. But is that really what leadership is all about?

I think that true leadership goes much deeper than that. Leadership is not just about what we accomplish for ourselves, but about how we influence the lives of others and what we leave behind for future generations.

There is a beautiful connection between Parashat Chayei Sarah and the leadership principles discussed in Orrin Woodward's book Resolved: 13 Resolutions for Life. One of the important messages of the book is that becoming a leader begins with the decisions we make about ourselves, our character, our purpose, and our willingness to take responsibility for our actions. Interestingly, we find many of these same principles throughout Parashat Chayei Sarah.

The first lesson: A leader must have a purpose and vision. The parashah begins with the passing of Sarah Imeinu. Avraham Avinu has just lost his partner in life, the woman who stood beside him throughout his journey. Yet, despite this tremendous loss, Avraham understands that life must continue and that there are responsibilities that still need to be fulfilled.

The Torah tells us: "And Avraham rose from before his dead." (Bereishit 23:3) The Torah is teaching us something powerful. Avraham mourned Sarah, but he also understood that he had a responsibility to continue building the future. A leader cannot allow every challenge, disappointment, or obstacle to take away the vision that HaShem has placed before him. This does not mean that a leader doesn't experience pain or difficulty. It means that a leader understands that there is a greater purpose that must continue. Sometimes we become so focused on what we have lost that we forget about what we still have the opportunity to accomplish.

The second lesson: Leadership begins with character and integrity. When Avraham wants to purchase the Cave of Machpelah as a burial place for Sarah, he has an opportunity to accept the land as a gift. However, Avraham insists on paying for it. Why? Because Avraham understands the importance of doing things properly. He does not want to build his future on something that is uncertain or questionable.

This teaches us that leadership is not about taking shortcuts to get what we want. It is about maintaining our principles even when taking the easier route might be more convenient. We often judge leaders by their accomplishments, but we should also ask ourselves how they achieved those accomplishments. Did they maintain their integrity? Did they treat others fairly? Were they willing to stand by their values even when it was difficult? A person's character is revealed not only by what they say, but by the decisions they make when nobody is watching.

The third lesson: A leader understands the importance of planning for the future. One of the most interesting parts of this parashah is when Avraham sends his servant Eliezer to find a wife for Yitzchak. Avraham is not simply thinking about the present. He is thinking about the future of his family and the continuation of the mission that he and Sarah began. He understands that if his values and teachings are going to continue, the next generation must be prepared.

This is an important principle of leadership. We cannot simply concentrate on what we are doing today without considering how our decisions will affect tomorrow. How often do we make decisions based on what is convenient for us at the moment without thinking about the long-term consequences? A good leader does not just react to circumstances. A good leader plans, prepares, and understands that today's decisions help determine tomorrow's results.

The fourth lesson: A leader knows how to develop and trust others. Avraham could have tried to personally control every detail of finding a wife for Yitzchak. Instead, he gives Eliezer an important responsibility. This is another important leadership lesson. Leadership is not about doing everything yourself. It is about recognizing the abilities of others, giving them responsibility, and allowing them to become part of the mission.

Sometimes people believe that being a leader means having control over everything. But if everything depends on one person, what happens when that person is no longer there?

True leadership is about developing other people so that they can continue the work. We should ask ourselves: Are we developing the people around us, or are we making them dependent on us? This applies not only to business or professional leadership, but also to our homes, our communities, and our relationships.

The fifth lesson: A leader must think about the legacy they are leaving behind. Perhaps one of the most important messages of Parashat Chayei Sarah is found in the continuation of Avraham and Sarah's journey through Yitzchak and Rivkah. Sarah is no longer physically present, but the values she represented do not disappear. Avraham continues building upon the foundation that they established together.

Near the end of the parashah, we see Yitzchak taking Rivkah into his mother's tent. The Torah tells us that he loved her and was comforted after his mother's passing. There is something very meaningful about this. The home and values that Sarah helped establish continue into the next generation.

This is what leadership is really about. It is not about how many people know your name, how much authority you have, or how successful you become. It is about whether the people you influence are better because of your presence in their lives.

Orrin Woodward's book Resolved: 13 Resolutions for Life emphasizes the importance of living with purpose and developing the qualities that allow us to become better leaders. Parashat Chayei Sarah brings these ideas to life through the example of Avraham and Sarah.

A question we should all ask ourselves is this: If we were to look at our lives today, what kind of legacy are we building? Are we simply concentrating on our own success, or are we investing our time and energy into helping others become successful as well? Are we teaching our children the values that will guide them throughout their lives? Are we setting an example for the people around us? Are we making decisions today that will have a positive impact on tomorrow?

Perhaps the greatest lesson of Parashat Chayei Sarah is that leadership is not measured by how long we are here, but by how long the influence of our actions continues after we are gone.

Because a true leader does not simply build a successful life. A true leader builds something that will continue to make a difference long after that life has ended.