Chevre, this week’s parsha is Korach (קֹ֔רַח). Last week we had the scouts and the story of them coming back with the ill report on Eretz Yisrael. And the punishment of 40 years in the desert. And this week’s parsha we have 2 challenges to the leadership of Am Yisrael. Korach, who eventually gets swallowed up by the earth, and Datan & Aviram. Korach is a leader of the Levites and asks by Moshe and Aaron are the leaders. Datan & Aviram are from the Tribe of Reuven, the first born. And they ask why they are not the leaders.

When I think about leadership, I immediatly think of the Amazon Leadership Principles (LPs). In this case, what LPs are Korach, Datan and Aviram forgetting? Customer Obsession, they are focussing on themselves and not the people (aka, their customers). Ownership, focussing on long-term vs short-term results. Are Right, A Lot; having strong judgement and good instincts. Learn and Be Curious, trying to improve themselves. Insist on the Highest Standards, raising the bar continuously. Bias for Action, if they wanted to be leaders, they should have come forth when the scouts came back with a bad report. Earn Trust, speaking candidly about their own shortcomings and treating others respectfully. Have Backbone, Disagree and Commit; it’s OK to have a disagreement or a different opinion, but when a decision is made, you need to go with it.

I’m sure others could find other LPs that match this situation. In the end, HaShem revalidated both Moshe and Aaron as the leaders. May we all learn from this episode to be better people and get along better. Shabbat Shalom.