Radical Wisdom: A 7-Day Journey for LeadersSample

Sheepdog or Shepherd?

When I visited New Zealand a few years ago, I saw a demonstration of the well-trained working sheepdogs who daily move sheep from place to place.

Incredibly quick and extremely tenacious, the dogs reminded me of some of the bosses I’ve had and, unfortunately, of some of my own leadership early on. I thought I was leading, but I was simply barking, manipulating, scaring, and irritating those under my care.

Dallas Willard, in his book Hearing God, says, “the sheepdog forcibly maneuvers the sheep, whereas the biblical shepherd simply calls as he calmly walks ahead of the sheep.” I really like that picture. Leading by doing. Influence over authority. Calling to your followers . . . your family . . . “Come with me. Do what I do, and we’ll be fine.”

Is that how you’re leading your wife? Your kids? Your family? Your employees?

Our leadership isn’t being cut down by axes and chainsaws . . . it’s dying through thousands of paper cuts. Small lies, inconsistencies, compromises, and hard-heartedness that we excuse because we’re so busy. In reality, it’s easier to be a sheepdog leader, to bark loud and continually wear ourselves out running around the herd, confusing activity with accomplishment.

But if we do the opposite, if we’re shepherd leaders who earn the right to lead and who call as we calmly walk ahead, we’ll look behind and find willing followers drawing their strength and confidence from walking in our steps.

Question: Are you going first, living and demonstrating humility, consistency, discipline, and compassion? Ask God to show you areas of your leadership where you can do better. Commit an action plan to writing and hold yourself accountable for making changes.