As a business leader, I’ve always been curious about what it’s like to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” and see what I can learn from them along the way. I’m especially intrigued by “one of one” jobs—roles so uniquely suited to a person that they might as well have invented them (often, because they did). Over the years, I’ve explored leadership through the eyes of startup CEOs, esteemed chefs, and Broadway creative teams, fascinated by how they each shape their domains.

But last night, I got to meet someone whose job might just top them all: New York City’s official Rat Czar.

As President of the Manhattan 75, the reinvigorated block association that I started up over the summer, I’ve been slowly (but steadily) working to band together neighbors on West 75th in service of a shared community. At our first planning meeting late last year, it didn’t take long to land on our top priority—one every New Yorker can relate to: rat mitigation. Part of our initiative has involved leveling up our planning team on all things rats–and our fearless block leader of the so-called "Rat Pack" secured an exclusive rat walk on West 75th with our city's leading rodent expert.

Here, three leadership lessons from NYC’s Rat Czar—plus five ways to channel rat-like resilience in your career.

Lessons in Leadership from NYC’s Rat Czar

Lesson 1: Walk the Block: Leading by Immersing Yourself in the Problem

The fact that we met Kathy on the street—at night, no less—while searching for rat burrows says everything about her hands-on leadership style. She doesn’t just study the problem from a desk; she experiences it firsthand. As we walked, she listened intently as half a dozen of us pointed out problem spots on the block. But she also educated us, pausing to highlight burrows we’d overlooked, rat droppings on the sidewalk, gaps in the pavement, and even the challenges posed by tree wells.

By the end of our walk, we didn’t just feel heard—we had fun. Kathy’s “rat walk” reminded me of Walt Disney’s practice of regularly “walking the parks” to stay attuned to the real experiences of guests and staff. The best leaders don’t operate at a distance; they embed themselves in the daily realities of the people (or critters) they serve.

Lesson 2: Mobilize the Masses: Turn a Shared Problem into Collective Action

It’s no surprise that one of my block association’s first priorities was rallying around rat control. Kathy understands the unifying power of a shared enemy, which is why one of her earliest initiatives was to harness grassroots momentum into something bigger.

She created a citywide “Rat Pack,” inviting everyday New Yorkers to deepen their knowledge through NYC’s Rat Academy. After attending three training sessions, participants officially join the pack—complete with swag (naturally). It’s a brilliant way to turn passive frustration into shared accountability. In my own block association, three people have already gone through the training. By giving citizens both knowledge and a structured way to take action, Kathy has turned rat mitigation into a movement rather than just a nuisance to complain about.

Lesson 3: Navigate the System: Use Creativity to “Burrow” Through Bureaucracy

At some point during our Rat Walk, we found ourselves deep in a conversation about how to navigate the maze of city agencies involved in rodent control—the Parks Department, the Health Department, Sanitation, and more.

It struck me as ironic that, just as we were physically searching for rat burrows, we were also metaphorically learning how to burrow into the complex inner workings of city bureaucracy. Kathy’s role requires out-of-the-box thinking. She not only has to understand the behavioral patterns of New York City’s rats but also the equally (if not more) intricate architecture of municipal governance. The best problem-solvers, like the best rats, don’t wait for clear paths—they create their own. Kathy isn’t just fighting rats; she’s outthinking an entire system."

Be Like a Rat: Adapt Their Resilience for Your Career

Love them or hate them, but you can’t deny the resourcefulness and resiliency of a rat. They adapt, outthink obstacles, and always find a way forward—skills just as crucial in business as they are in survival. Here are 5 ways to be more like a rat in your professional life.

The human takeaway: Sniff Out Patterns
Learn how to spot patterns among your fellow humans. Industries and organizations have invisible signals—familiar behaviors, recurring trends, and unspoken rules. Understanding these patterns can help you anticipate shifts, navigate uncertainty, and make smarter decisions, particularly during times of extreme uncertainty.

The human takeaway: Burrow in and Build
How much do you really need to operate effectively? In tough economic times, businesses that survive are the ones that strip down to the essentials. Take a lesson from the rats: Be lean, be adaptable, and find opportunity in tight spaces. If a small opening exists, you don’t need a wide-open door—just a way in.

The human takeaway: Work Your Zone
Not everything requires a massive leap—sometimes, success is about maximizing what’s already within reach. Whether it’s deepening relationships in your network, doubling down on a high-performing strategy, or improving an existing skill, know where your biggest opportunities live and move within that space efficiently.

The human takeaway: Sharpen Your Edge
Rats don’t just survive—they develop the abilities that keep them ahead. They jump higher than expected, break through barriers, and adapt their skills to any environment. In your career, this means investing in skills that make you unbreakable. Learn new technologies, master negotiation, improve communication—whatever makes you more agile and resilient. And don’t just stick to what’s comfortable. Push yourself beyond what’s expected. The more versatile you are, the harder it is for obstacles (or competitors) to stop you.

The human takeaway: Find Shelter Before the Storm
In uncertain environments, having the right protection matters. That could mean a strong professional network, financial buffers, or simply knowing when to lay low. Rats don’t burrow out in the open; they position themselves strategically. Find your cover, then make your move.

In Conclusion

Whether you're looking to shape a one-of-one job of your own, or just to think more like a creative rat in your current job, there's a lot to admire about the resiliency of our city's rodent subculture (and the person at the helm of this citywide strategy).