During the administration of President Barack Obama, retired US Army general Eric Shinseki held the position of Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He was renowned for meeting the needs of America's veterans in an open and sincere manner.

Shinseki's dedication to interacting with veterans is demonstrated by his deeds as well as his words. In order to gain a firsthand understanding of their concerns, he would frequently visit and meet with veterans' organizations across the nation. A doctor who makes house calls rather than waiting for patients to arrive at the office is an example of this hands-on approach. The physician can better understand each patient's health concerns by seeing them in person.

Similarly, Shinseki was able to hear directly from veterans about what was effective and where improvements were needed in veteran services because of his frequent travels and meetings. Instead of merely depending on reports or rumors, he made an effort to speak with veterans directly.

His strategy also helped to build trust between the public and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is important for a body that deals with delicate issues like healthcare and benefits for service members. Shinseki assisted in bridging any gaps that might exist between those who are impacted by these policies on a daily basis and the policymakers in Washington, D.C., by being accessible and communicative.

The idea that effective leadership entails stepping out from behind one's desk and interacting directly with those one serves is essentially embodied in Eric Shinseki's work. Listening to grievances is only one aspect of this; another is comprehending the specifics of each case and creating solutions that are specific to it. He sought to ensure that America's veterans' needs were met and their voices heard by actively engaging the VA in order to make it more responsive and supportive of them.