Follow the Leader

Follow the Leader… Who’s the Leader?

Written by Corae Young

April 1, 2025

I’ve been researching more about sheep, and the influence the shepherd as well the shepherd’s dogs have in managing and herding the sheep. As I’ve been more intrigued, I’ve learned the importance of having the right “breed” of dogs to assist a shepherd in managing its flock. If you didn’t know, having sheep was a sign of wealth. The use of the sheep, from its wool to its meat, to other parts of its body, provides an opportunity to sell the sheep for various things that were necessary in life, serving as a continual income source for the shepherd’s family.

The sheep had to be in tune with its shepherd. The Shepherd showed care and concern for its flock, ensuring that they didn’t fall into any danger. It was a loss of wealth for every sheep that was lost or killed. The sheep had a reciprocal relationship with the shepherd, with a feeling of respect and trust for the shepherd. It listened and followed their voice because it didn’t want to be harmed. The shepherd then used trained dogs to help guide the sheep, especially if it was a larger flock. It kept the sheep from being pulled away by potential predators.

But what’s fascinating to me that only certain dogs were appropriate to use, such as German shepherds, Corgis, or collies. They were used as they had herding instincts, where they could gather, control and move livestock and were intelligent dogs. They weren’t afraid of potential predators and could move efficiently.

As I started to think about this, it made me wonder how this applies to our organizations. In all organizations, there are our “formal leaders” by title and assumed authority (the Shepherd). But, there’s also those who are identified managers that have “perceived authority” (the dog). Shepherds have trusted their dogs to manage the flock, however the Shepherd didn’t do well to manage the dogs. How many times have we seen leaders, the Shepherd, lose control of their flock, because of a “dog” that went astray and pulled its flock closer to them than to the Shepherd. We must be careful of all persons that we place in authority, to ensure that the “flock” are being led appropriately and not for their own personal desires. The flock could be your congregation, membership, staff and volunteers, etc. Who we place in positions of authority is important to ensure that people are protected from any harm.

It would serve Shepherds well to analyze its managers and informal leaders. What “breed” are they? Are they there to help support the shepherd in keeping the flock safe, or are they there themselves to “fleece the flock?” If you are considered one of the “dogs” helping to herd the sheep, have you analyzed yourself and assessed how well you are doing in supporting the flock? Sometimes, we have to do better at taking an “inward look” of ourselves and our own leadership qualities, and ensure that we are taking care of people well.