What does it take to be an exceptional leader?
Many of us see resilience as simply ‘getting by’. Dr. Steven Witt sees it as more:
“The true meaning of resilience is not just surviving, but finding strength in the process and emerging with a new perspective.”
That’s why his new book, Leadership Resilience, is such an important development.
Opportunity in Challenge
Leadership is about more than just decision-making from the top; it’s about cultivating trust and open dialogue. That’s exactly what Dr. Witt advocates for.
Steven has been through a lot to develop the view he has now. Much of his view has been changed by his battle with cancer, and the connections and community he found during that process. He has applied that same feeling to his day-to-day life, and hopes to share that hopeful spirit with others.
“Resilience has transformed how I approach challenges both personally and professionally. For example, during my battle with cancer and recovery from multiple surgeries, I didn’t just focus on survival—I found strength in my faith and community, which reshaped my view of leadership. These experiences helped me see adversity as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback,” said Witt.
He has transformed the challenges of navigating top-down decision-making into opportunities to foster open communication and collaboration with his team.
Personal Connection in Leadership
“Trust is foundational in leadership, but it has not always been easy to cultivate—especially in environments where top-down mandates can erode it,” Witt said.
He has assisted those affected by Hurricane Katrina, and draws inspiration from Howard Lutnik, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, who rebuilt the company and connected with the employees and families effected by the loss of 9/11.
In his book, he goes in depth about the importance of trust, true connection and a desire to grow in a leadership setting:
“Leadership is indeed intimate. It’s about human connection and understanding the deeper motivations of both yourself and those you lead,” Witt said, “This kind of leadership shows that trust and personal connection are essential for sustainable growth. However, in a world that is increasingly digital and depersonalized, leaders must work even harder to maintain this intimacy. Depersonalization can hinder leadership if we aren’t intentional about fostering meaningful, face-to-face connections. Leaders need to prioritize genuine interactions to build trust and facilitate growth, especially when digital communication threatens to make leadership impersonal.”
Leadership Resilience
Reflecting on his personal experiences, Dr. Witt highlights the value of those true connections in both his personal and professional life:
“I now approach challenges as lessons in resilience, constantly evolving through each trial. I hope to assist others by helping them embrace the same mindset, recognizing that resilience is an active process that leads to personal and professional transformation.”
Leadership Resilience combines Witt’s personal challenges with insights from other leaders from across the globe, offering practical strategies for cultivating personal and professional growth. It is available for purchase now at Amazon. Dr. Witt is donating 20% of all royalties to the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Cancer Foundation.
Want in?
To learn more about Dr. Steven Witt, check out past CUW articles or visit his personal blog page.