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Dr. D. Leitner
Educator · Consultant
Advisor· Public Speaker
Shooter · Veteran
I have spent over 15 years educating and advising executives, managers, team leads and more about how to utilize strategy for success.
As an consultant and mentor, I’ve worked with everyone from CEOs and other C-Suite executives down to team leads and individual contributors to improve their leadership, followership, and strategic engagement. My clients have come from bootstrapped startups and small businesses to well established large corporations and non-governmental organizations.
I also work as a leadership mentor, coach, and consultant for officers in the IDF.
Weaving Dr. D.'s story with topics of interest
Leadership Rising
How do certain people emerge as leaders and why? Dr. D. looks at the nature of leadership, teamwork, communication, and sacrifice with purpose.
Politics Everywhere
From the bedroom to the boardroom and beyond, we engage politics as we try to maneuver and get our way. What can we do to get others to help make our ideas real?
Agent for Life
Our choices matter. How we fall, and what we do when we get back up determine our life story. We are all agents writing the story together.
Soon by you
Inclusion and Accessibility – these are buzzwords that have tremendous weight. But what do they really mean, and who are they really about? Dr. D. may surprise you with his take.
First time managers and anyone interested in improving their relationship with their leader and followers need to learn how to Lean Into Leadership. Learn tools, best practices, styles and skills so that leadership learns how to engage followership for success.
The “Leaning In” program concentrates on tools and skills that boost exemplary communication and positive feedback systems.
Leadership is about connecting with your followers and getting them to move together on a mutual strategic process. Reframing Leadership takes a deep look into the importance of understanding followership in-depth. This is vital for any level of of an organization -from the smallest teams to the highest level – because followership directly impact our ability to accomplish goals in a timely and efficient manner.
Directed at upper management and executive leadership, Visionary Leadership utilizes followership to make the right decisions about the future of the organization. These workshops helps the executive team effectively communicate strategic objectives. And you learn to guide strategic followership in your organization. That opens the door for followers who are most likely to create a fluid dynamic leadership team and organization.
My Thoughts
Followership and Leadership
What is Followership and why is it important?
We hear the word leadership a lot these days. But, what are leaders without followers? There are more followers than leaders in every organization. And most (if not all) of the leaders are also followers.
Followership is integral to successful strategic engagement. It is time to focus on followership and understand how it impacts teams and organizations.
From Strategy to Tactics
What is Strategy and why is it important?
We all engage strategy and tactics in our work and home. By learning and understanding strategy and tactics, leaders and followers are more likely to find a state of co-flow where they work in synergy and in support of each other.
So it’s important for people at every level of an organization to understand how strategy, tactics, and followership work together.
Recommendations
First half of the day - couldn`t do anything, my legs were flaring. Was lucky I scheduled a post.
Second half of the day - built lego with my kid, had a short meeting with my storytelling course, then went to lie back down and scrolled and scrolled and scrolled and then posted something short.
For someone else, this might seem like a nothing day.
For me, the fact that I got past the first half and didn`t stay in bed the whole time was a huge win.
Perspective matters.
You don`t know what others are going through.
#CRPSWarrior
First half of the day - couldn`t do anything, my legs were flaring. Was lucky I scheduled a post.
Second half of the day - built lego with my kid, had a short meeting with my storytelling course, then went to lie back down and scrolled and scrolled and scrolled and then posted something short.
For someone else, this might seem like a nothing day.
For me, the fact that I got past the first half and didn`t stay in bed the whole time was a huge win.
Perspective matters.
You don`t know what others are going through.
#CRPSWarrior
Many team leaders see experienced members as threats. It`s natural to feel that way. You might think, "Are they here to take my job?" But it doesn`t have to be this way. It`s all about perspective.
Instead of seeing them as a threat, consider them an asset. Their life experience can be a goldmine of knowledge. It all starts with comfort and confidence. Both from the experienced contributor and you, the team leader. Are you comfortable having open and honest discussions? If not, it`s time to build that trust.
Check out the full podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6hpw24RS6c3BkE2E4mbPyM?si=3ae1531bb87c49be
YouTube: https://youtu.be/KflG2lmnwZA
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-doctors-den/id1692780078
Many team leaders see experienced members as threats. It`s natural to feel that way. You might think, "Are they here to take my job?" But it doesn`t have to be this way. It`s all about perspective.
Instead of seeing them as a threat, consider them an asset. Their life experience can be a goldmine of knowledge. It all starts with comfort and confidence. Both from the experienced contributor and you, the team leader. Are you comfortable having open and honest discussions? If not, it`s time to build that trust.
Check out the full podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6hpw24RS6c3BkE2E4mbPyM?si=3ae1531bb87c49be
YouTube: https://youtu.be/KflG2lmnwZA
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-doctors-den/id1692780078
One of the best parts of my job is meeting new people and learning from them.
This is @yael.schuster and she is AMAZING!
One of the best parts of my job is meeting new people and learning from them.
This is @yael.schuster and she is AMAZING!
I blew off all the stickers!
Canal Challenge 2024 was an adventure.
I`m supposed to be at a shooting range right now.
Back at it after more than two months.
Proving that my disability won`t stop me from doing the things I love.
I was all set to go.
Until my right foot had a small run in with the BBQ tongs.
And my left leg decided to join the party...
Now I`m lying on my back, looking at the ceiling, hating my body.
#LegsOnFire
#CRPSWarrior
#CRPSSucks
I`m supposed to be at a shooting range right now.
Back at it after more than two months.
Proving that my disability won`t stop me from doing the things I love.
I was all set to go.
Until my right foot had a small run in with the BBQ tongs.
And my left leg decided to join the party...
Now I`m lying on my back, looking at the ceiling, hating my body.
#LegsOnFire
#CRPSWarrior
#CRPSSucks
Hospital visits are one of the many ways I and other members of Restart are helping our wounded warriors.
Hospital visits are one of the many ways I and other members of Restart are helping our wounded warriors.
There comes a point when you just want to give up.
Don`t.
I have those days. A lot.
CRPS is known as the world`s most painful incurable condition. And it comes with something called Allodynia - pain from touch. Which means that every touch on my legs is an electric shock with an added blowtorch just for fun. (https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Complex_regional_pain_syndrome)
EVERY TOUCH.
Every bounce of my wheelchair.
Every move that rubs my pants on my legs.
And that is only one part of the pain.
The only way forward is to NEVER give up.
To push on.
To make sure that whatever the obstacle is, you define it, set it`s boundaries, and figure out the best way around/over/through.
Constant pain can make that difficult - what are the boundaries of something that may never end.
But I can`t let that stop me.
I`ve got a life to live.
I am still going to do everything I can to move the needle. So I can`t get over the pain. But I can push through it. Continue on. Fight to make today another day where I change my world a little.
It might take time.
It may take a lot of trial and error.
It may hurt (A LOT).
But don`t ever. EVER Give up.
#BeCourageous. Aim High. Shoot for the stars. Live life.
#NeverGiveUp
Thank you for listening to my self-motivational talk today.
You can invite me to give it to you in person if you want. I`m happy to oblige.
There comes a point when you just want to give up.
Don`t.
I have those days. A lot.
CRPS is known as the world`s most painful incurable condition. And it comes with something called Allodynia - pain from touch. Which means that every touch on my legs is an electric shock with an added blowtorch just for fun. (https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Complex_regional_pain_syndrome)
EVERY TOUCH.
Every bounce of my wheelchair.
Every move that rubs my pants on my legs.
And that is only one part of the pain.
The only way forward is to NEVER give up.
To push on.
To make sure that whatever the obstacle is, you define it, set it`s boundaries, and figure out the best way around/over/through.
Constant pain can make that difficult - what are the boundaries of something that may never end.
But I can`t let that stop me.
I`ve got a life to live.
I am still going to do everything I can to move the needle. So I can`t get over the pain. But I can push through it. Continue on. Fight to make today another day where I change my world a little.
It might take time.
It may take a lot of trial and error.
It may hurt (A LOT).
But don`t ever. EVER Give up.
#BeCourageous. Aim High. Shoot for the stars. Live life.
#NeverGiveUp
Thank you for listening to my self-motivational talk today.
You can invite me to give it to you in person if you want. I`m happy to oblige.
היה לי את העונג וכבוד להעביר הרצאה הערב כחלק מפברואר יוצאים מן הכלל לנוער בנתניה. המסרים העיקריים - שלהיות יוצא מן הכלל זה עניין של מנהיגות פורצת, חסידיות פעילה, שליחות, ומוכנות ליזום שינוי בעולם - לא נכות.
I had the pleasure of giving a lecture to the Netanya teens as part of "Exceptional February". What were the main points? That to be exceptional is a function of emergent leadership, courageous followership, personal agency, and the willingness to engage to improve our world - not disability.
So #BeCourageous and exceptional.
היה לי את העונג וכבוד להעביר הרצאה הערב כחלק מפברואר יוצאים מן הכלל לנוער בנתניה. המסרים העיקריים - שלהיות יוצא מן הכלל זה עניין של מנהיגות פורצת, חסידיות פעילה, שליחות, ומוכנות ליזום שינוי בעולם - לא נכות.
I had the pleasure of giving a lecture to the Netanya teens as part of "Exceptional February". What were the main points? That to be exceptional is a function of emergent leadership, courageous followership, personal agency, and the willingness to engage to improve our world - not disability.
So #BeCourageous and exceptional.
Sometimes you just have to take aim and shoot for the moon.
It isn`t about the strategy or tactics.
It isn`t about vision, objectives, or goals.
It`s just about dealing with whatever is in front of you, NOW, and getting through the next few moments.
#BeCourageous and don`t let anything stop you!
Sometimes you just have to take aim and shoot for the moon.
It isn`t about the strategy or tactics.
It isn`t about vision, objectives, or goals.
It`s just about dealing with whatever is in front of you, NOW, and getting through the next few moments.
#BeCourageous and don`t let anything stop you!
Thank you to Elbit Systems for hosting me at an all hands online meeting in honor of Veteran`s Day here in Israel. I got to tell my story and share how Elbit and their team of volunteers helped create a special one of a kind shield for my legs through the Makers-for-Heroes program run by Restart - ריסטארט .
תודה רבה לאלביט על ההזמנה להרצאות לרגל יום ההוקרה לפצועי צה"ל. נתנו לי במה לספר את הסיפור שלי וגם להודות ולשבח את צוות מתנדבים מאלביט שהצליח לייצר את המגן המיוחד שלי דרך תוכנית מייקרס-פור-יהירוס של הארגון ריסטארט.
#crpswarrior
#idfveteran
#VeteransDayIsrael
#AimHigh
Thank you to Elbit Systems for hosting me at an all hands online meeting in honor of Veteran`s Day here in Israel. I got to tell my story and share how Elbit and their team of volunteers helped create a special one of a kind shield for my legs through the Makers-for-Heroes program run by Restart - ריסטארט .
תודה רבה לאלביט על ההזמנה להרצאות לרגל יום ההוקרה לפצועי צה"ל. נתנו לי במה לספר את הסיפור שלי וגם להודות ולשבח את צוות מתנדבים מאלביט שהצליח לייצר את המגן המיוחד שלי דרך תוכנית מייקרס-פור-יהירוס של הארגון ריסטארט.
#crpswarrior
#idfveteran
#VeteransDayIsrael
#AimHigh
Sometimes pain wins. It`s 04:30 and my body cannot relax. It`s been this way for over an hour. My legs are throbbing and feel like they`ve been dipped in ice water and lava at the same time. My throat hurts from hacking and each breath is a conscious attempt to not cough and throw up from the pain.
It feels like a 🧨is going kablooie over and over again.
This too shall pass. Being a #crpswarrior never ends, though the nature of the challenge is ever changing.
I want to thank the many people who support me. But I need to single out the wif. Lala, thank you for being with me through these crazy days and nights. For your guidance, caring, and love. For the middle of the night teas even when you have to be out early in the morning. Thank you for the 🫂 and backrubs to try and ease the tension that swarms through me as I face these challenges.
Thank you for making it a little easier to #nevergiveup
I hope you sleep well. ❤️
🔥&🧊 and so much not nice that`s what this pain is made of. 🤢
Could really use some 💤
Sometimes pain wins. It`s 04:30 and my body cannot relax. It`s been this way for over an hour. My legs are throbbing and feel like they`ve been dipped in ice water and lava at the same time. My throat hurts from hacking and each breath is a conscious attempt to not cough and throw up from the pain.
It feels like a 🧨is going kablooie over and over again.
This too shall pass. Being a #crpswarrior never ends, though the nature of the challenge is ever changing.
I want to thank the many people who support me. But I need to single out the wif. Lala, thank you for being with me through these crazy days and nights. For your guidance, caring, and love. For the middle of the night teas even when you have to be out early in the morning. Thank you for the 🫂 and backrubs to try and ease the tension that swarms through me as I face these challenges.
Thank you for making it a little easier to #nevergiveup
I hope you sleep well. ❤️
🔥&🧊 and so much not nice that`s what this pain is made of. 🤢
Could really use some 💤
English Follows
יותר מ50 חיילים וחיילות הגיעו היום לבי"ס לקומנדו לשמוע את הסיפור האישי שלי וללמוד על מנהיגות והחסידיות, על שליחות, התמדה ונחישות. אבל בעיקר על החיילים הבודדים.
מכל המסרים החשובים שהעברתי היום` המסר הכי חשוב היה רמת ההשפעה שיהיה להם ולהן על החיילים הבודדים. התעמקתי ברמת היכולת שלהם לפעול באופן ישיר ולעזור לחיילים בודדים להצליח ולהגשים את חזונם בצה"ל. זה מסר שמאוד חשוב לי.
בסוף ההרצאה יותר מ 20 חברי באו לשבח ולהגיד לי כמה הם למדו והתרשמו מההרצאה. אבל יותר מזה, באו ואמרו לי שעכשיו הם מבינים יותר טוב את התפקיד שלהם והיכולת שלהם להשפיע על השירות של החיילים הבודדים.
בסופו של דבר דרשתי שיתגייסו לחזון של החיילים הבודדים והסברתי שדרך החזון הזה גם הם יצליחו להגשים חזון של שירות מלא משמעות.
I met with more than 50 soldiers today who came to hear my story and learn about leadership, followership, agency, perseverance, and grit. But more importantly, they came to learn what it is like to be a Lone Soldier in the IDF.
Out of all the important topics I`ve discussed, this one is in many ways closes to my heart. I explained to them, in-depth, about the direct impact they will have guiding the Lone Soldiers success and future trajectory as they seek to fulfill their vision of meaningful service.
This is a message which is extremely important to me as a former Lone Soldier and IDF veteran - how do we help the soldiers who do not have family and support systems here succeed or even better excel.
At the end of the lecture, more than 20 of the soldiers came over to give praise, tell me how worthwhile and inspirational they found the talk. Many asked questions for clarification or to dig deeper. And almost all of them told me how much they learned, Many of them expressed thanks for clarifying for them how important their jobs will be and they told me that now they better understand their role and their ability to influence the lives and service of the Lone Soldiers.
At the end of the talk, I urged them to ascribe to the vision of the Lone Soldiers who chose to move to Israel and serve in the military. And I explained that by joining them in fulfilling this vision they too will succeed in have a meaningful and worthwhile time in service.
English Follows
יותר מ50 חיילים וחיילות הגיעו היום לבי"ס לקומנדו לשמוע את הסיפור האישי שלי וללמוד על מנהיגות והחסידיות, על שליחות, התמדה ונחישות. אבל בעיקר על החיילים הבודדים.
מכל המסרים החשובים שהעברתי היום` המסר הכי חשוב היה רמת ההשפעה שיהיה להם ולהן על החיילים הבודדים. התעמקתי ברמת היכולת שלהם לפעול באופן ישיר ולעזור לחיילים בודדים להצליח ולהגשים את חזונם בצה"ל. זה מסר שמאוד חשוב לי.
בסוף ההרצאה יותר מ 20 חברי באו לשבח ולהגיד לי כמה הם למדו והתרשמו מההרצאה. אבל יותר מזה, באו ואמרו לי שעכשיו הם מבינים יותר טוב את התפקיד שלהם והיכולת שלהם להשפיע על השירות של החיילים הבודדים.
בסופו של דבר דרשתי שיתגייסו לחזון של החיילים הבודדים והסברתי שדרך החזון הזה גם הם יצליחו להגשים חזון של שירות מלא משמעות.
I met with more than 50 soldiers today who came to hear my story and learn about leadership, followership, agency, perseverance, and grit. But more importantly, they came to learn what it is like to be a Lone Soldier in the IDF.
Out of all the important topics I`ve discussed, this one is in many ways closes to my heart. I explained to them, in-depth, about the direct impact they will have guiding the Lone Soldiers success and future trajectory as they seek to fulfill their vision of meaningful service.
This is a message which is extremely important to me as a former Lone Soldier and IDF veteran - how do we help the soldiers who do not have family and support systems here succeed or even better excel.
At the end of the lecture, more than 20 of the soldiers came over to give praise, tell me how worthwhile and inspirational they found the talk. Many asked questions for clarification or to dig deeper. And almost all of them told me how much they learned, Many of them expressed thanks for clarifying for them how important their jobs will be and they told me that now they better understand their role and their ability to influence the lives and service of the Lone Soldiers.
At the end of the talk, I urged them to ascribe to the vision of the Lone Soldiers who chose to move to Israel and serve in the military. And I explained that by joining them in fulfilling this vision they too will succeed in have a meaningful and worthwhile time in service.