Matthew Bershadker by Brooke Kostak

Matt Bershadker

ASPCA President & CEO

Matthew is a level 5 type leader. He builds excellence through dedication and humility. He has such a love and passion for animals. He encourages others and when he sees someone making an impact he gives out rewards to show members that not only are the animals thankful for their commitment, the entire ASPCA community is too.
Mr. Bershadker has been with the organization for 13 years. He has had time to watch the organization grow and learn to take that knowledge and lead the whole organization. Matthew says "that they lead by crisis which they then put in place community specific strategies that leverages the strengths and close the gaps on the weaknesses in the community".
In the link provided is a short segment of how Matthew explains his experience with the ASPCA

Matthew is extremely ambitious for his company rather than for himself. Each leader has experience with the ASPCA and a certain level of trust that when one retires, they feel like the person next in line will continue to help the organization strengthen and grow. He wants all of his leaders, team members, and supporters to work as a team together, to their fullest potential. On the leadership grid in the text book I would say this organization would be placed under team management. This is because the accomplishments within this organization come from committed people and with that comes trust and rewards. In addition, after reading about Mr. Bershadker and reading his blogs, I compared him to the situation model. I would say he is a participating leader who supports and consults with his followers and teammates. With all the different leadership styles that chapter 15 presented, I would say that Mr. Bershadker most relates to democratic leadership, people-oriented leadership, and transformational leadership. These three leadership styles show how he allows other leaders and his team to feel free, and that he has trust in their skills to help the organization succeed and continue to grow.