Mussar

Leadership begins with you. It involves marshaling your character strengths – such as compassion, courage, curiosity, gratitude, humility, integrity, and wisdom – in service of our community. Like all disciplines (such as yoga, sports, and art), you can develop these character strengths through practice and reflection. In Judaism, this personal work is called mussar and our character strengths are middot. Develop a discipline of self-growth.

Self-Awareness – Know your character traits or virtues (middot)

Awareness of one’s character traits that have strengths and weaknesses (middot) – notably, compassion, courage, curiosity, gratitude, humility, integrity and wisdom.

Being with Others – Engage in self-reflection on how you show up

Engages in regular reflection focused on how well I show up in accordance with selected character strengths (middot).

Action Toward Change – Improve how you show up.

Takes steps toward improvement of how I show up and seeking others’ perspectives as to how I am doing.

Advanced Skills – Commit to a discipline that builds your character traits (middot)

Engages in a regular discipline of “exercise” that strengthens specific middot “muscles” and supports self-care (beyond reflection), such as text-study, meditation, saying blessings, yoga, etc.

Activity Resources