the leader as shepherd - presence pointthe ideal team player, and the advantage shepherd leadership...

Holly Culhane

A Lesson from the Ancients for Modern Day Leaders

The Leader as Shepherd

It’s right, it’s real, and it’s convicting.

— Patrick LencioniAuthor of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,

The Ideal Team Player, and The Advantage

Shepherd leadership is all about

servant leadership in action. Everyone

should recognize that their job is to

provide, protect, and be present for their

people. Applying this model will make

a difference in their lives and yours.

— Ken Blanchard, Ph.D.Author of New One Minute Manager

Co-author Lead Like Jesus Revisited

“We would have dealt with this issue last month, but we had

financial decisions to make,” was the response by the Chair of the

organization’s Board when we inquired into the timing of the removal

of a leader in our church body. My husband and I were shocked. The

leader had breached an acceptable moral norm of religious society and

moved far to the left of the Scriptural tenets of the organization.

“Didn’t you think this issue took precedence to a financial decision, or

at least also should have been dealt with during that meeting” we asked.

They put the importance of a financial decision above this issue. Our

thoughts were that the new leader had broken what many believe to be

God’s law as communicated directly to Moses on a mountaintop 3,600

years ago in the Ten Commandments: inappropriate relationships

outside of the marriage covenant are forbidden.

It may simply have been “mission drift,” a phrase Peter Greer and

Chris Horst coined to describe the unspoken crisis leaders, charities,

and churches face as they drift from their founding mission and purpose.

It seemed more than that, much more. A financial decision — not even

an especially critical one — had overridden the need to address the

immoral lifestyle of the senior leader of an organization built on

spiritually moral tenets. Something was profoundly wrong.

Introduction

© 2016 Presence Point, Inc. · Live Into Your Calling®

Introduction · 3

We asked if they were seeking advice on how to help church

members, many in a state of grief. The obtuse response we received

was, “No. Should we be?”

Those who had invested their lives, their resources, and their

hearts were deeply pained by the compounding disappointments with

leaders in this organization. Many efforts had initiated from this group.

From feeding the hungry and adopting the orphaned, to loving the

lost in the local neighborhood and around the world, so many had

invested so much and their trust had been betrayed on multiple

occasions and at profound levels.

This was the fourth serious sexual failure among the leadership

team in seven years. For those with deep knowledge of the organization,

it was yet another gap in integrity exposed. It represented more than

missing the mark of its spiritual directives.

As a couple, together we sought wise counsel and dug deeply into

the possible cause of such a lapse in devotion by leadership. Meditation

and prayer were given priority at a time when we knew our next steps

were imperative. We moved forward with the belief that we had a new

level of responsibility.

During this process, one theme consistently emerged: there was

something missing. What would cause these men to risk the respect

and dedication of 1,500 parishioners and to seemingly miss their

responsibility to care for people now feeling so betrayed? Was there

a trait, a skill, or a tool they lacked?

Neither of us knew and I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I was

compelled to learn more.

The Leader As Shepherd · Holly Culhane

4 · Introduction

Two weeks later at an unrelated board meeting, a gentlemen

sitting next to me learned of my experience and leaned over to gently

whisper, “Are you sure this isn’t a leadership issue?” My immediate

thought was one of denial. It couldn’t be.

Later, a wise and dear friend reminded my husband and I,

“A shepherd is supposed to lay down his life for the sheep.” We both

were fascinated by the comment, but I was especially intrigued. The

ancients often referred to followers as sheep and tended to their needs.

It became obvious our church leaders had not considered the needs of

their followers as their highest priority. It boiled down to true leadership.

Perhaps it needed to be shepherd leadership. Was that the issue?


Introduction · 5

In the Webb household, leadership was routine. Whatever my dad

was passionate about, he led. Although his routine included working

the third shift for an automobile manufacturer and sleeping a few

hours each morning, he awoke at noon to delve with passion into his

rental property business. Volunteer efforts consumed his “free time.”

Dad took a brief nap before heading to work by 10 p.m. each

night. Board meetings, planning sessions, and research were part of

the nights that did not include a scheduled work shift. Preparation,

teaching, and service to his beliefs typically consumed a major

portion of his weekends.

Without a son, my dad seemed to feel all he knew must be passed

on to me, his first-born daughter. Working with him at rental properties

after school and during summer afternoons, I listened to the wisdom

he imparted about the importance of entrepreneurship. His opinion on

business-related issues and integrity filled our time together. No matter

the size of the group, from ten years of age or so forward, my job was

to accompany him to Board meetings and planning sessions. I sat quietly

beside him and paid close attention, doing so partly because he told me

to and partly because I was curious. I learned a great deal from him

during those times.

The first and primary lesson I learned from him was how to lead.

Care for your people, risk your life to protect them, and be sure they

see you often. Dad didn’t say it as much as he lived it, but I knew.

Lessons from a Father


6 · Lessons from a Father

Even as the owner of rental property, he felt it was important.

He believed tenants should see you every day. It was a rare day that my

dad didn’t stop by each property. He casually strolled the driveway and

common areas, whistling as he went. His casual demeanor indicated

his comfort level, and his whistle assured anyone inside knew that

he was present.

My depression-era, World War II veteran father taught me all he

knew: a solid work ethic, integrity, and passion. He led while I learned.

He provided for my needs. He protected me when necessary and taught

me how to protect myself. His presence, even in the craziness of his

unconventional life, was palpable. Because of his work schedule, he

didn’t make every evening event at school, but I never felt he wasn’t

there. When I needed to talk, he made time. When I needed a hug,

he knew. His love was deep and his convictions strong. He taught me

from his lifestyle, his words, and his actions. In the context of my wise

friend’s comment, I recognized my dad had been a shepherd to me.

I didn’t fully understand what that term meant, but I realized it was

time to find out.

“Care for your people, risk

your life to protect them, and

be sure they see you often.”


I had occasionally heard the term “shepherding” in a leadership

context from time to time in speeches, books, and the media. Academia

had given us leadership models that I knew worked. After all, I’d taught

them and worked hard to use them — often imperfectly — for nearly

25 years. Heart-felt leaders had spent much time discussing the values

of servant leadership, but was there a skill or a tool or a philosophy

of shepherds that would bring more meaning and deepen the lessons

of servant leadership? After all, a shepherd is one of the best examples

of a servant leader.

Shepherd… what did that mean beyond Webster’s definition of “a

person who herds, tends, or guards sheep” and “a person who protects,

guides, or watches over a person or group of people?” I couldn’t get it

out of my head. It was nagging at me like a dripping faucet.

The second lesson my dad taught me was that he never let the lack

of a college education keep him from learning what he needed to know

to be successful in a business venture or in the classes he taught. In the

days before search engines and laptops, I saw my dad research, read,

take notes, and implement what he learned.

I began to do the same with my current questions. I did Internet

searches of topics related to sheep and shepherding and conducted

interviews with modern-day shepherds. Order after order from

Amazon of books written by shepherds, about shepherds, and for

shepherds came next.

The Dilemma


8 · The Dilemma

I learned about methodologies and medical techniques, philosophies

and opinions, and processes and procedures. All pointed to poignant

and practical leadership lessons. It became obvious the term “shepherd”

needed our consideration from a leadership perspective.

In The Catholic Vision for Leading like Jesus, author Dr. Owen

Phelps captured the concept when he boldly noted that an effective

leader is a combination of servant, shepherd, and steward. Ken and

Margie Blanchard built on that school of thought in their Servant

Leadership training program.

After research, multiple interviews, and even readings of the

ancient prophets, a premise emerged: Shepherding is a universal — and

I would say Godly — leadership principle. It applies to supervising, managing,

parenting, and partnering, across cultures, socioeconomic levels,

ethnicities, and generations. It pertains to leading in the government,

non-profit, and private sectors, and applies to entrepreneurs, CEOs,

Vice Presidents, and Directors. Whether leading volunteers, staff

Shepherding is a universal – and some

would say Godly – leadership principle.

The Dilemma · 9

members, peers, children, or church congregants, the principle applies.

(Is this the concept those men had missed?) It applies to friendships, work

relationships, customer service, fundraising efforts, and sales.

As we tested the premise, we learned it worked in third-world

countries such as Kenya where a vast majority of the adults, as children,

had shepherded sheep or goats as part of their contribution to the family

unit. In first-world countries like the U.S., the actual shepherd of sheep

is a foreign concept to most, but the richness of the metaphor spoke

to people as they applied what we had learned in their work units and

families. It connected across generations from Millennials with growing

businesses who found this concept was changing their organizational

culture, to Boomers who connected with a need to shift the leader role

in their families as their children grew into self-sufficient adults. People

of all ages and ethnicities connected with the shepherding message.

It became clear it was time to develop this remarkably simple, yet

uniquely profound concept.


10 · The Dilemma

The responsibilities of a shepherd range from assuring the sheep

are in good health on a consistent basis, are well-fed, and are shielded

from predators. The needs of sheep are remarkably similar to people!

Sheep need:

• a calming presence to rest

• discipline to stay on task with the flock

• a leader who knows their condition and responds accordingly

• special attention when they’re young or new to the flock

or struggling

Sheep have no desire for change. In fact, it takes some time for them

to produce wool again after their lifestyle has been altered in any way.

They can be the most beneficial of all livestock when well-managed. They

can be the most destructive, causing ruin almost beyond remedy when

under mismanagement.

Sound familiar? If you’re a parent, a supervisor, or a leader of people

in any environment, you’ll immediately see the analogy between what

people and sheep need to perform well.

The authors of the sacred texts understood this concept and referenced

it throughout their writings. The metaphor of the shepherd was often

used to describe effective leaders, with those who were not led well

referred to as “sheep without a shepherd.” They highlighted shepherds

in their ancient writings starting with the second-born offspring of man,

who was Abel. According to the text, his first sacrifice was a lamb.

True Shepherding


True Shepherding · 11

The writings also tell us that the man who led the enslaved Jews

out of Egypt was Moses, a shepherd of sheep for 40 years prior to

taking on this leadership role. One of the most well-known kings

of ancient times was David, a former shepherd. (Had shepherding

responsibilities prepared Moses and David for their roles?) Amos, an

author described as a prophet, spoke of his vocation as a shepherd.

And Rachel, a shepherdess, was the mother of Joseph, a celebrated

ruler in ancient Egyptian history whose well-implemented strategic

plan saved thousands from starvation during a seven-year famine.

There it was in plain view. When dissected, the ancients understood

the analogy of sheep and people and capitalized on the metaphor of a

shepherd as a leader. Even Jesus, considered by many to be the greatest

leader of all time, referred to Himself as “The Good Shepherd.”

In today’s terminology, the nearly 40 detailed tasks that comprise

the job description of a responsible shepherd of sheep were exactly

those needed to lead people well. Everything from their relationship

with the sheep to the manner in which they provided for their care,

to how they assured for their safety, was included. All I had to do was

synthesize these findings into a model that could be communicated and

implemented by the everyday leader, manager, parent, and partner.

Then it surfaced. Every responsibility of a shepherd and ultimately,

every responsibility of a leader, can be captured in three words:

Provision, Protection, and Presence.


12 · True Shepherding

The research was clear. Effective shepherding is grounded in

three pivotal elements of leadership. It’s only when Provision, Protection,

and Presence are intertwined that a shepherd can truly fulfill their

calling as leader.

A good shepherd cares meticulously for the sheep, sparing no pain

for their welfare, providing nourishment from the finest grazing, and

assuring clean water is available from a variety of sources. Similarly, an

effective leader cares for team members or family, providing a suitable

place for them to work or live and resources to sustain them. Effective

spiritual leaders provide provide nourishment through their teaching for

those under their care and enforce that teaching through the lifestyles

they lead.

A good shepherd also delights in his flock, shelters them from

storms, protects them from ruthless enemies, as well as from the diseases

and parasites to which they are susceptible. An effective leader also takes

great pleasure in the successes of his or her team or family, protects them

from danger, and endeavors to assure they are physically and emotionally

healthy. Spiritual leaders who shepherd well prepare their flock for the

storms of life, providing counseling when appropriate to help with

balanced emotional health.

A good shepherd assures their sheep are free from friction, including

tension, rivalry, and cruel competition with other sheep; keeps them in

a dry climate; brings a calming presence to the sheep and watches over

The Leader’s Shield


The Leader’s Shield · 13

them to assure those that are fallen are quickly overturned. An effective

leader addresses conflict, pressure, and harsh competitiveness when it

arises, works hard to encourage rather than frustrate his or her team,

family, or spiritual flock, and brings a reassuring and comforting presence

to his or her followers, including the volunteers of an organization,

providing assistance to those who are struggling.

A good shepherd assures the sheep carries only the proper amount of

wool and guides and disciplines them, in addition to protecting them,

through training, development, and coaching. An effective leader

promises to work with team, family, or church/parish members when

emotional baggage inhibits their productivity, performance, or success.

They discipline fairly when appropriate, providing opportunities for

growth and coaching when it’s suitable to do so.

The effective leader provides for their sheep, protects their sheep, and

are present at a variety of levels for their sheep. To develop the model,

we’ve used the following working definitions of these three terms:

• Provision — “to take care of or to furnish or

supply the need of another”

• Protection — “the act of safeguarding, shielding another

from harm, or guarding against danger”

• Presence — “at hand; physically and/or emotionally

available and engaged”

These three pivotal elements form the Leader’s Shield — not to

protect the leader from those they lead but, in fact, to act as a shield for

those they lead.


14 · The Leader’s Shield

What would employee engagement statistics look like if a leader

at work became a true shepherd? What would the future of the world’s

children be if their parental unit shepherded them with an emphasis

on all three pivotal elements? Would prison overcrowding become

a concern of the past? Would the annual one-third turnover rate of

volunteers drop dramatically if non-profits, churches, synagogues, and

mosques truly shepherded those who voluntarily gave of their time,

talents, and treasure to further the mission of their organizations?

Would leadership meetings be better balanced if the behavior of their

leaders and the financial decisions of the organization encompassed

Provision, Protection, and Presence for those they served?

What would employee

engagement statistics look

like if a leader at work became

a true shepherd?

The Leader’s Shield · 15

Years ago, Richard Williams had a goal and a 78-page plan for his

daughters, Venus and Serena. He envisioned them as tennis champions

long before they were born and took tennis lessons himself to learn the

game. Although admittedly starting the girls on the court earlier than

he would now recommend, he started giving them tennis lessons as

preschoolers. He moved them to gang-ridden Compton, California,

not long afterward, believing that champions had to possess more than

skill and talent. Mr. Williams believed they needed determination,

discipline, and toughness to make it to the top of their sport. If that

was his goal, this neighborhood could do it ... if a gang-banger bullet

didn’t kill one of them first.

Were his methods unconventional? Most would say yes, but it

was his commitment to shepherding his girls — not just to be tennis

champions, but to be well-educated, determined women who knew

they were loved by their father — that won the day. He home-schooled

them, fought gang members away from the court when necessary to

allow them appropriate time to practice, and he was willing to sacrifice

himself for their safety and future.

I believe Venus and Serena would say their father was at the top of

his game as a dad. He provided for them, he protected them, and he

was present for them.

Tennis Champions


16 · Tennis Champions

Williams love for his daughters was an overriding factor in

their success: Grand Slam title winners a combined total of 28 times,

Wimbledon champions, Olympic Gold medalists four times each,

and both ranked number one in the world in women’s tennis at

various points of their careers. No one can question their success in

tennis. Their greatest claim to fame, however, is having a shepherd

leader as a dad.


Tennis Champions · 17

There’s no formulaic equation that will determine how these three

responsibilities are demonstrated. Every work, home, and volunteer

environment, as well as the culture of a country or organization, will

dictate how a leader lives out Provision, Protection, and Presence.

From the ancients forward, the shepherd’s rod has provided discipline,

prodding, nudging, training, and coaching to help sheep make the right

choices. The shepherd’s staff represents protection, ready at a moment’s

notice to pull the sheep to safety or to help them avoid slipping into a

ravine or crevice. It’s the shepherd’s presence that allows both tools to

be available when needed and provides the trust and peace sheep need

to live well and produce effectively.

For an entrepreneur, supervisor, or manager in a first-world

country, Provision may look like providing a specific type of equipment

or a fair wage. Protection may look like ergonomically designed chairs

and desks, or a facilitated conflict resolution meeting when a team is

struggling. Presence may look like responding to emails in a timely

manner or electronic face-to-face chats if the leader isn’t available

on a consistent basis.

We’ve learned that in a third-world environment, Provision and

Protection may be demonstrated differently. Provision may be expressed

by paying transportation fees for employees. Protection may include

ensuring their employees leave their work environment in time to arrive

at home before dark, or assist them in techniques of how to address

Provision, Protection, and Presence in Action


18 · Provision, Protection, and Presence in Action

potential bribery by vendors. Presence is similar in many settings.

It may include the leader’s being available for conversations, seeking

input with problem-solving, and helping address concerns with

their team members.

In the case of a parent, Provision may look like a number

of behaviors, from providing basic food and shelter needs of a child

to assistance with funding for a college education. Protection may be

exhibited by an emotionally safe environment where children and

spouses can thrive, learn, and grow as they share life together. It could

also consist of teaching basic life skills and assuring everyone learns

their responsibility in the family unit. Presence may take the form of

A good shepherd assures the sheep

do not carry too much wool, guides

and disciplines them, in addition to

protecting them through training,

development, and coaching.

Provision, Protection and Presence in Action · 19

electronic-free times together (yes, no cell phones or tablets for either

the parent or the child!), date nights with your spouse, attending

children’s sports events (and paying attention), or listening attentively

to a teenager’s angst over friendships and high school.

Leaders of volunteers may demonstrate Provision by assuring

the volunteers know how their tasks are to be performed and providing

manuals that outline their responsibilities. They may demonstrate

Protection by assuring conflict among volunteers is addressed and

Presence by candid face-to-face communication, holding meetings on

a consistent basis, and/or by seeking volunteers’ feedback in their

areas of expertise.

It’s important to add two additional points of interest with regard

to these three responsibilities: First, whether or not a behavior is

correctly defined as Provision, Protection, or Presence is not imperative.

What is imperative is that all three responsibilities exist through the

efforts of the leader.

Secondly, Presence is about focused attention. Keep in mind

the definition of Presence: “at hand, physically and/or emotionally

available and engaged.” Being present isn’t about attending an event or

signing on to a web connection; followers want their leaders to be

engaged. Engaging presence is one of the significant behaviors that

separate a shepherd from every other kind of leader.


20 · Provision, Protection, and Presence in Action

We humans are complicated beings — difficult to understand,

often a struggle to lead, and imperfect in our actions and responses.

It’s often easier to love the child who challenges and stretches our

leadership than the co-worker, team member, or volunteer who

pushes our limits. Here’s the deal, though: We don’t have the option

of discriminating between those we shepherd well and those we

leave in need.

The ancients knew it well. As I studied their writings describing the

shepherd, it was clear this leadership concept is to apply to everyone

leaders are working to influence — even laterally to our peers and

friends. Shepherding well is what leaders are called to when they take

on any influencing or leadership role. And the Leader’s Shield is a tool

to be implemented at all times, not just in easy, convenient, or

comfortable circumstances.

The reality is that our responsibility — our calling as leaders — is

to shepherd, and to shepherd well, all of those in our care.

The Reality

What is imperative is that

all three responsibilities exist

through the efforts of a leader.

The Reality · 21

My dad was intentional in his Provision, Protection, and Presence

for me. So was Richard Williams with his daughters. So are a number

of leaders at organizations who have told us they have ramped up their

attention to all three areas of responsibility. They are seeing remarkable

results in how their teams function together and produce. The same

is true of families who are focusing on Provision, Protection,

and Presence.

The challenge to remember is that the leadership team mentioned

earlier was also intentional. However, their intentionality was misguided.

They missed the shepherding mark, by misunderstanding the elements

of protection and presence. It’s important to remember that leadership

isn’t just about budgets and dollars, but about people. It’s about the sheep.

That’s why it’s imperative that every leader is intentional. Intentional

in the Provision, the Protection, and the Presence provided to those in

their lives. Intentionality doesn’t rule the day, however. As shepherds we

must be purposefully informed. Answering the question of why one does

what he or she does as a leader is imperative. There must be informed

purpose behind each action, each decision, and each step a leader takes

on the shepherd leadership journey. The people in our lives are too

important to offer them less.

Purposeful and Informed Intentionality


22 · Purposeful and Informed Intentionality

Learn more about upcoming workshops

or how your organization can be a host.

presencepoint.com/workshops

Explore your distinct leadership role in a Presence Point workshop.

Presence Point

Workshops

The role is selfless, and gritty, and humble, and thankless…

and just like Jesus. The concepts you’ll explore in Presence

Point workshops draw you into that mindset so you can

love, lead, and engage with those entrusted to you.

— Dan Wolgemuth, President/CEO Youth For Christ USA, Inc.

It’s practical training for any leader regardless of their field.

It’s leadership training that teaches you how to serve and

build people rather than build an organization.

— Roger Spradlin, Former Chairman, Southern Baptist Convention

and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The power of your message penetrates quickly into issues

of the heart as well as into the role and responsibilities

of the shepherd.

— Phil Hodges, Co-author of Lead Like Jesus

Presence Point was an attitude-altering experience—a

deep, intensive look at faith, family, relationships, leadership,

and purposeful living with an action plan to go forth and

love the world.

— Judy Salamacha, Presence Point Experience Workshop Host

Presence Point supports leaders

by helping them intentionally live

into their calling as shepherds in

the lives of those they lead.

presencepoint.com

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