Psalm
23:4b I will fear no evil, for you are
with me;
The cruise liner sailing the
seas requires a special leadership style in the captain. He must be concerned
with the ship’s destination and the comfort of the individual passenger. He
must be present with the crew and those enjoying vacations. He must be side by
side with people to ensure both objectives are met, not one or the other.
Same is the case with the
shepherd leader. He must have his eye on the individual sheep and the direction
that the flock is headed. His work is not an either-or effort but both-and
journey. The shepherd who loses this dual focus will find his flock scattered
and their useful purpose lost.
To accomplish side-by side goals
the shepherd leader will need to diligently remove irritants, provide resources
to others or reassign work. Irritants arise when the wrong people are put to
work with sheep that are listening to the shepherd. Those who cannot or will
not follow the shepherd become disruptive to those who are following. They
cannot feed on the mission that others are busy working to administer.
Irritants can cause dis-unity and distraction to the others who are working
hard to further the mission.
Secondly, the shepherd needs
to know the tools that his staff need to accomplish their work. Encouragement,
training, efficient tools and good co-laborers become the resources that the
staff may need to accomplish their work and meet their goals. Nothing should
distract the shepherd from providing a productive, efficient and safe work
place for others.
Lastly, it may happen
that people are not fitted properly to a specific job. It may be that their
talents or skills are bettered suited for another place within the
organizations. The shepherd knows his sheep well enough to move people from
place to place to ensure an efficient and productive operation. In this way the
employee finds greater fulfillment in their work, co-workers see the benefit of
team work and the organization can meet its mission.
