
199 - Ira Chaleff On how to be an Informed, Empowered Citizen
From Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota by Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota
October 15, 2025 · 50 min · Episode 199
About this episode
Ira Chaleff discusses the importance of being an informed and empowered citizen.
Ira Chaleff (Chay-leff) is an author, speaker and executive coach in the greater Washington, DC area. • His extensive experience with government includes directing the non-partisan Congressional Management Foundation, where he is now Chair Emeritus. • Ira co-authored the original handbook for new Members of Congress, now in its nineteenth edition, and facilitated over a hundred congressional office retreats on both sides of the political aisle • He has led and participated in Democracy strengthening programs in Asia, West Africa and Eastern Europe. • His classic book, The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders , and his award winning book I ntelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You're Told To Do Is Wrong , were translated into multiple languages including Russian and Chinese. • He has spoken on these topics at the the US Naval Academy, the US State Department, the Royal Military Academy, the European Commission, and too many others to list. • Ira was named one of the top 100 "Best Minds on Leadership" by Leadership Excellence magazine and a pioneer in the emerging field of Followership Studies. • His newest book, To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Political…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Marcia Sirota
Guest: Ira Chaleff
Topics covered
- citizenship
- leadership
- political engagement
- followership
- democracy
Keywords
- Ira Chaleff
- citizen empowerment
- leadership
- followership
- democracy
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Congressional Management Foundation
Books & works: The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders, Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You're Told To Do Is Wrong, To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Political Followers
Places: Washington, DC, Asia, West Africa, Eastern Europe
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