Principles of the Way of the Shepherd

Even though I was not able to relate to this book, I was able to finish it. Hoping that I someday I could apply these principles not just as leader in work but in my family as well.

Here's the guidelines for being a great Shepherd / Leader.

Principles of the Way of the Shepherd
- by Dr. Kevin Leman & William Pentak
- Interview with Theodore McBride (CEO of General Technologies); MBA student of Dr. Jack Nuemann

1. Know the Condition of Your Flock
- Follow the status of your people as well as the status of the work.
- Get to know your flock, one sheep at a time.
- Engage your people on a regular basis.
- Keep your eyes and ears open, question, and follow through.

2. Discover the Shape of Your Sheep
- Your choice of sheep can make flock management easier or harder.
- Start with healthy sheep, or you'll inherit someone else's problems.
- Know the SHAPE of your sheep to make sure they're in the right fold.
S-trengths
H-eart
A-ttitude
P-ersonality
E-xperienceS

3. Help Your Sheep Identify with You
- Build trust with your followers by modeling authenticity, integrity and compassion.
- Set high standards of performance.
- Relentlessly communicate your values and sense of mission.
- Define the cause for your people and tell them where they fit in.
- Remember that great leadership isn't just professional; its personal.

4. Make Your Pasture a Safe Place
- Keep your people well informed.
- Infuse every position with importance.
- Cull chronic instigators from the flock.
- Regularly rotate the sheep to fresh pastures.
- Reassure the sheep by staying visible.
- Don't give problems time to fester.

5. The Staff of Direction
- Know where you're going, get out in front, and keep your flock on the move.
- When directing, use persuasion rather than coercion.
- Give your people freedom of movement, but make sure they know where the fence line is. Don't confuse boundaries with bridles!
- When your people get in trouble, go and get them out.
- Remind your people that failure isn't fatal.

6. The Rod of Correction
- PROTECT: Stand in the gap and fight for your sheep.
- CORRECT: Approach disciple as a teaching opportunity.
- INSPECT: Regularly inquire about your people's progress.

7. The Heart of the Shepherd
- Great leadership is a lifestyle, not a technique.
- Every day you have to decide who's going to pay for your leadership - you or your people.
- Most of all, have a heart for your sheep.

He keeps the key

(Anonymous)

Is there some problem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.

Is there some door closed by the Father's hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait -- for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.

Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by and by.
He keeps the key.

Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long lingerer He,
And of the door of all your future life
He keeps the key.

Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just He sees is best,
Will give it THEE.

I could say that my spiritual life is bad cause I really don't have one.
- We're not constant church goers
- I don't make it a habit to pray or rather to have my daily devotion where I could talk to God not just when I have issues or problems but just to really talk to Him. Thank Him for all the blessings and just say what transpire on my day.
- I don't have a D-group or cell group

On this year I hope and pray that I could change all that and continue to grow with God.