Max DePree begins his book Leadership Jazz with a story about his granddaughter. Zoe was born prematurely, weighing one pound seven ounces, and was placed in neonatal intensive care. Since her biological father was not around, the nurse asked Depree to visit Zoe each day, for several months. “And when you come I would like you to rub her body and her legs and arms with the tip of your finger. While you’re caressing her, you should tell her over and over how much you love her, because she has to be able to connect your voice to your touch” (Max DePree, Leadership Jazz [New York: Dell Publishing, 1992], 2).

Leadership is about making connections and influencing people. Good leadership requires the ability to connect with another’s...