Shepherding 001
A shepherd is wholly responsible as well as dependent upon his flock.
Sheep do not lead themselves.
Sheep are the shepherd’s renewable resource.
Sheep are his living and to some extent his life.
Sheep, their health and wellbeing, are critical to the shepherd’s success.
No sheep, no shepherd. No shepherd and the sheep are just dinner.
A shepherd shares all the dangers and hardships with the sheep. He is neither isolated nor insulated from their environment and the elements.
The shepherd can be talented, wise, smart, strong and fun but if he is not willing to do the hard work, the messy work, the dangerous work, he will not be a shepherd for long. No sheep, no shepherd. This has to be a choice. Taking up the shepherding model of leadership has to be a choice as well.
So, the first thing you need to do is to decide if you’re willing to do the hard, messy, dangerous, etc., work of shepherding. Are you willing to start and keep going? Are you willing to do it poorly as you learn to do it well? Are you willing to step out of the fold and into the field? Are you willing to share with the sheep what the sheep face as sheep?
This isn’t about steps, keys, secrets or anything magic. It is about hard work – constantly done better and better. This isn’t about emulating anyone or imposing a system. It is about risk and reason and reward.
So the choice is yours. Do you want to lead your people (or even yourself) or would you rather drive them? Is yours the LONG view or the short? A healthy flock can provide for the shepherd and others for a lifetime.
First question. Are you trust worthy?
Why is your answer what it is?
Who would disagree?
Who would agree?
Why?
Challenge: Write “Am I trust worthy?” on a 3/5 card. Write YES on a second card and NO on a third and MAYBE on a fourth. Take about 12 sets of these and give them to 12 people who know you. Then, provide a way for them to get either the YES or the NO card back to you anonymously.
MS
ms@msandersconsultant.com
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