Every person needs to be a good leader in order to know how to behave with his wife, his younger children, his older children and with his household help. Leadership is particularly important for a person who has been appointed over the community — to know how to lead them with great patience in accord with the needs of the hour, in accord with who they are, their outlook and character. In particular, this is important for leaders of cities because the quality of the city and its wholesomeness depends on the wisdom of their leadership. Even so, even a great leader cannot achieve universal satisfaction among the people because not all minds think the same. It is sufficient that most of the people in the city are satisfied with his leadership.
An aid to achieve this is to hear out counsel from others, for “the more counsel, the more understanding” (Avos 2:7), and, as it says in Mishlei (11:14), Salvation lies in much counsel. Another aid for this is to give much thought about the outcomes of decisions and to consider all possibilities. A third aid — greater than all others — is to look up to Hashem and to pour out his soul before Hashem without limit. It is therefore necessary to be wise and insightful, and if he does not trust his own understanding to know how to deal with the needs of the hour, then let this rule guide him: Always treat each person with softness and a smile; use sweet words, which is definitely closer to gain and the farthest from damage. Especially in our generations, when brazenness is rampant, and even young children do not respond to tough words. But a soft tongue breaks strong anger (ibid. 25:15). In this way a person will forever be loved Above and held dear Below, for Hashem withholds no goodness from those who walk in perfect innocence (Tehillim 84:12).
