Recently, a friend gave me the book The Way of the Shepherd (Leman and Pentak). The subtitle is Seven Secrets to Managing Productive People. The title caused instant intrigue, but as I read it, I was enthralled by the simple truths that can produce profound results.
I will not share the seven secrets (no spoiler alert required), but I would like to share one idea that is so easily overlooked when it comes to being an effective leader.
Most leaders are busy, and some are proud of it. Others are busy as a way of insulating themselves. And some are busy because they are afraid of letting go. Whatever the reason for our busyness (at least seven), good or bad, it can keep us from spending time with our sheep. What sheep? The sheep you shepherd every day are the people you lead.
The first secret in the story is revealed in a pasture. The mentor takes the mentee to a pasture filled with sheep. At first, the mentee is confused, but the mentor is deliberate in helping the soon-to-be leader understand the importance of spending time with the sheep. As leaders, the importance of this profound idea cannot be ignored. When we spend time with the sheep, we get to know them. This daily activity is vital to lead, and if busyness crowds it out, the sheep, your people, will not follow you.
Doing Good at Work educates, equips, and empowers individuals, businesses, organizations, and non-profit leaders to SHEPHERD people first. This is a learned skill requiring particular tools to achieve the highest results. This isn’t about manipulation; it is founded upon caring and the desire to see all people reach their greatest potential. We help leaders become caring shepherds. This is not a soft skill – shepherding is hard work but massively rewarding. Do you want to be a better shepherd of your people? Click HERE to get started.
REMEMBER: Better People make Better Businesses, and Better Businesses make a Better World.
Shepherding,
Boomer
Dr. Boomer Brown, Ph.D., is the CEO of Doing Good at Work. Doing Good at Work is a 501(c) 3 organization that functions like a business. We desire to “Make People Better” because we know better people make better businesses and better businesses make a better world. Learn more: https://doinggoodatwork.com/