ד"ר דוד לייטנר

Educator · Public Speaker
Adviser · Shooter · Veteran

Signature Program

Aim High

Followership, Leadership & Strategy

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. 

פוליטיקה בכל מקום (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

What type of follower are you? What types of followers are most likely to create a fluid dynamic team? And how can leaders engage followers for success?

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.

Book a Discovery Call

Learn more about David's Lectures or Workshops.

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 specifically on the skills for exemplary communication and positive feedback systems.

We work together to improve communication skills. You and your teams will learn about the different leadership and followership styles and begin to understand how specific techniques are more or less effective with different types of followers and different developmental levels.

As part of this program, we run simulations that help instill a clear understanding of how to give feedback, accept feedback, determine roadblocks, provide instructions and coaching, as well as create positive relations with different types of followers.

Leadership is about connecting with your followers and getting them to move together on a mutual strategic process. 

Originally designed for middle-management, 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 our view of leadership significantly impacts our understanding of followership and our ability to accomplish goals in a timely and efficient manner.

The program guides the participants in understanding the different skills needed to address followership. Participants discover which skills they are strongly suited to and learn how to improve their weaker skills as well as teach their followers how to work with them.

As part of the workshop series, Dr. D. explains how to determine a follower’s styles and levels, and how leaders can use position, influence, and persuasion to get things done as they build teams.

Directed at upper management and executive leadership, the “Visionary Leadership Program” works to utilize followership concepts to make the right decisions about the future of the organization.

These workshops helps the executive team effectively communicate strategic objectives. And they learn how to determine how to use followership to choose who should be promoting those objectives.

Participants in this program learn to identify leaders who demonstrate strategic understanding and present as Strategic Partners.

Leadership learns how to view effective feedback systems in those most likely to bring organizationally driven concepts to fruition.

The program also helps create or improve the necessary feedback loops that will provide executive leadership with the information most likely to lead to ethical decisions making for future success.

What type of follower do you want in your organization? What types of followers are most likely to create a fluid dynamic leadership team and organization?

These are some of the main questions we address.

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.

passport david leitner

הסיפור שלי

I have spent over 20 years studying and researching followership, leadership, and strategy. And I have been educating teams, managers, students, IDF soldiers, one-year program groups, youth groups, campers, and more about how to engage strategy and leadership for over 15 years. I got my nickname “Dr. D.” from one of my students while teaching at Bar-Ilan University over the last 10+ years.

Born and raised in the USA, I came to Israel over 25 years ago on a one year program. The moment I set foot in the country, I knew that I was home.

I am the only wheelchair user participating in International Practical Shooting Confederation competitions in Israel. These are videos of my competitions and practices. 

נגן וידאו
נגן וידאו
נגן וידאו
נגן וידאו
נגן וידאו

watch all videos

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.#NeverGiveUpThank 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!
...

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 #nevergiveupI 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 Followsיותר 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.
...

Just closed my first two lecture dates for pay!Going to be giving the talk "Politics Everywhere" in early November and the talk "Leadership Rising" in early December. Both use my story to teach.Both to be given in Hebrew. I've been giving both these lectures for awhile. But I always did so on a volunteer basis. This. This is something new. And it feels AMAZING! סגרתי את שתי הרצאות הראשונות שלי בתשלום!אני מעביר הרצאה על "פוליטיקה בכל מקום" בתחילת נובמבר ועוד הרצאה "מנהיגות עולה" בתחילת דצמבר. שניהם מבוססים על הסיפור האישי שלי כדרך לימוד.שניהם ינתנו בעברית אני כבר זמן מה נותן את שתי ההרצאות הללו - אבל תמיד היה בהתנדבות.זה. זה מהשהו חדש ומגניב!הרגשה מדהימה!#newdirection #crpswarrior#idfveteran

Just closed my first two lecture dates for pay!

Going to be giving the talk "Politics Everywhere" in early November and the talk "Leadership Rising" in early December.

Both use my story to teach.
Both to be given in Hebrew.

I`ve been giving both these lectures for awhile. But I always did so on a volunteer basis.

This. This is something new.
And it feels AMAZING!

סגרתי את שתי הרצאות הראשונות שלי בתשלום!

אני מעביר הרצאה על "פוליטיקה בכל מקום" בתחילת נובמבר ועוד הרצאה "מנהיגות עולה" בתחילת דצמבר.

שניהם מבוססים על הסיפור האישי שלי כדרך לימוד.
שניהם ינתנו בעברית

אני כבר זמן מה נותן את שתי ההרצאות הללו - אבל תמיד היה בהתנדבות.

זה. זה מהשהו חדש ומגניב!
הרגשה מדהימה!

#newdirection
#crpswarrior
#idfveteran
...

דעות ורעיונות על הפלייר. מה אתם חושבים? מה טוב. מה כדאי לשנות? Thoughts and opinions on this flyer? What's good and works? What needs to be changed?Quick translation: Title: Leadership RisingBubble: Lecture on leadership, followership, and teamwork from a former special operations lone soldier with a fascinating,  motivational personal story.Bullets: Determination, Perseverance, Trust, Agency, HopeBottom panel: Dr. David Leitner15 years lecturing, researching and advising on leadership and strategy.20 years accessibility and inclusion adviser.#newdirections #crpswarrior #idfveteran

דעות ורעיונות על הפלייר. מה אתם חושבים? מה טוב. מה כדאי לשנות?

Thoughts and opinions on this flyer? What`s good and works? What needs to be changed?

Quick translation:
Title: Leadership Rising
Bubble: Lecture on leadership, followership, and teamwork from a former special operations lone soldier with a fascinating, motivational personal story.
Bullets: Determination, Perseverance, Trust, Agency, Hope
Bottom panel: Dr. David Leitner
15 years lecturing, researching and advising on leadership and strategy.
20 years accessibility and inclusion adviser.

#newdirections
#crpswarrior
#idfveteran
...

Over 200 soldiers from the commando brigade. Over 15 officers and commanders. Learning about leadership, followership, trust, and the responsibility of command. Many of these young men are future team commanders, sergeants, and officers. 75% of them raised their hand when I asked if the are interested in a command position. So today they learned. About lone soldiers.About the fundamental responsibility of command - creating trust for effective teamwork. About the difference between command and leadership - and how these concepts work together. About followership and the different types of followers.And how leaders and followers are agents of change - creating a future. And they listened to my story. But more than listening, they heard my story. And responded to the core message - create your world. Be the agent of change. As a leader and as a follower. Have a great weekend. #crpswarrior#idfvetera#leadership

Over 200 soldiers from the commando brigade. Over 15 officers and commanders. Learning about leadership, followership, trust, and the responsibility of command. Many of these young men are future team commanders, sergeants, and officers.

75% of them raised their hand when I asked if the are interested in a command position.

So today they learned.

About lone soldiers.
About the fundamental responsibility of command - creating trust for effective teamwork.
About the difference between command and leadership - and how these concepts work together.
About followership and the different types of followers.
And how leaders and followers are agents of change - creating a future.

And they listened to my story. But more than listening, they heard my story. And responded to the core message - create your world. Be the agent of change.

As a leader and as a follower.

Have a great weekend.

#crpswarrior
#idfvetera
#leadership
...

Range time is good time. The new season has started. I've been doing some technicals, but today was the first day of full practice - from dry fire through warm ups and then some stages. Nothing too complex. Got the new gun all zeroed and figured out. Now it all about spending time bringing some speed and keeping the tactical awareness up.

Range time is good time. The new season has started. I`ve been doing some technicals, but today was the first day of full practice - from dry fire through warm ups and then some stages.

Nothing too complex. Got the new gun all zeroed and figured out.

Now it all about spending time bringing some speed and keeping the tactical awareness up.
...

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