Meet Conference Scholar
Benjamin Shuldiner
Biography
Benjamin Shuldiner is the principal at the Brooklyn High School for Public Service, as well as a professor at Baruch College.
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In His Own Words: A Leadership Reflection
What has led to your development as a leader?
Leadership is inherently a plural endeavor. Regardless of station or position, no individual leader stands alone. This understanding is at the heart of my conceptualization of leadership. Realizing that all endeavors are group exercises wherein buy-in, respect, and deep understanding of necessary terms for all involved was pivotal in my development as a leader. To make transformative change, to be a dynamic leader rather than a static and staid figurehead, a person must recognize that all organizations are made up of people, and that to lead them demands the humility to understand their expertise, desire, and will.
My own professional experiences and expertise—from teaching at the secondary and university levels, to founding a high school and serving as its principal, to being politically active—have all placed me in the traditional roles of leadership. However, I have found that the best organizations are ones in which the leader activates the ability of all stakeholders to focus together on a common goal. The best leader engages, supports, and provides guidance, unlocking the talent of all involved.
Reaching this convergence of dynamic individuals who desire to work together toward a clear goal has stood as an example and aim throughout my professional life.
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What leadership article has inspired you?
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