“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” Psalm 23:5
Who is a leader? There truly is no perfect definition of the word in my view. However, certain traits can be observed in the life of a good leader. These have been rightly categorised by John Maxwell (an expert on effective leadership) as what gives shape to any establishment – the SHAPE of the leader.
The SHAPE of the leader implies his or her
People will often follow a leader because they are attracted to some of these traits the leader possesses. However, every good leader needs to respond to them by use of the rod and staff of leadership. The Psalmist in the twenty-third Psalm tells us what makes him laugh in the face of danger: He gets comfort from his Shepherd (The Lord God) whose leadership was with a rod and a staff.
Shepherds use the rod to hit the sheep and get them moving. As an effective leader, it is indispensable that you ensure firmness and discipline amongst your followers. This must be lovingly done with a desire to see the goal of the organisation realised. People appreciate a leader with a strong voice. They just often wouldn’t tell you they do.
Next, shepherds use their staff to give the sheep direction as they advance to the front of the line. The best you can give to your folks as a leader is a sense of direction. You must know where you are heading. Sometimes you may not fully know how to get there but you must know where ‘there’ is. Only fools follow an aimless leader.
How pleasant it will be to hear your folks say of you ‘your rod and staff give us comfort’.
– david sanda |
