The Way of the Shepherd Book Review by Jeff Bush

by Dr. Kevin Leman and Bill Pentak 

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   by Dr. Kevin Leman and Bill Pentak (summary by Jeffrey Bush)

   1. Always know the condition of your flock. 
   • • • • • • You can’t manage what you don’t know. 
             • Many focus on their projects and not their people. 
             • It’s the people that get the work done. 
             • You help the flock one individual at a time, not by the group. 
             • Know what is impacting them and keep up with them. 
             • You should genuinely care for those you work with. 
   2. Discover the SHAPE of your sheep. 
   • • • • • • Strengths (what are they good at). 
             • Heart (what are they passionate about). 
             • Attitude (people with a can-do attitude. Negative attitude hurt others). 
             • Personality (put each person in a position where personality fits). 
             • Experiences (to understand a person, know their experiences of past, working with others, etc.). 
             • Who you choose will make the job easier or harder. 
   3. Help your sheep identify with you. 
   • • • • • • When a shepherd tags a sheep. 
             • The mark you put on the people that work for you — a good mark of a leader is to not think for the people, integrity, authentic, trustworthy, and compassion. 
             • You must get up close and personal. 
             • For great leaders, leadership is not just professional, it is personal. 
   4. Make your pasture a safe place. 
   • • • • • • A flock cannot be productive If it does not get the rest and nourishment it needs. 
             • It must be free of fear and secure of predators. 
             • You keep people secure and free from fear by keeping them informed. 
             • Keep them from rivalry, and keep them from pests (small irritations). 
             • The shepherd must be visible. 
             • Don’t let problems fester. 
   5. The staff of direction. 
   • • • • • • The staff represents responsibility. 
             • Lead the sheep instead of being a barking dog. 
             • Point the way by getting in front of them. 
             • The staff helps rescue stray sheep. 
             • Help people get out of trouble. 
   6. The rod of correction. 
   • • • • • • You have to know when to use it, and use it wisely. 
             • The rod is to use against predators. 
             • Discipline is not to harm but to keep from harm. 
   7. The heart of the shepherd. 
   • • • • • • There is a cost for leading. 
             • Great leadership is hard work and if you’re not willing to pay the price, those you lead will have to pay it. 
             • What distinguishes a great leader from an ordinary leader is your heart for the people. 
             • If you give your sheep halfhearted leadership, they will follow you halfheartedly.
   ays know the condition of your flock. 

• • • • • • You can’t manage what you don’t know. 
          • Many focus on their projects and not their people. 
          • It’s the people that get the work done. 
          • You help the flock one individual at a time, not by the group. 
          • Know what is impacting them and keep up with them. 
          • You should genuinely care for those you work with. 

2. Discover the SHAPE of your sheep. 

• • • • • • Strengths (what are they good at). 
          • Heart (what are they passionate about). 
          • Attitude (people with a can-do attitude. Negative attitude hurt others). 
          • Personality (put each person in a position where personality fits). 
          • Experiences (to understand a person, know their experiences of past, working with others, etc.). 
          • Who you choose will make the job easier or harder. 

3. Help your sheep identify with you. 

• • • • • • When a shepherd tags a sheep. 
          • The mark you put on the people that work for you — a good mark of a leader is to not think for the people, integrity, authentic, trustworthy, and compassion. 
          • You must get up close and personal. 
          • For great leaders, leadership is not just professional, it is personal. 

4. Make your pasture a safe place. 

• • • • • • A flock cannot be productive If it does not get the rest and nourishment it needs. 
          • It must be free of fear and secure of predators. 
          • You keep people secure and free from fear by keeping them informed. 
          • Keep them from rivalry, and keep them from pests (small irritations). 
          • The shepherd must be visible. 
          • Don’t let problems fester. 

5. The staff of direction. 

• • • • • • The staff represents responsibility. 
          • Lead the sheep instead of being a barking dog. 
          • Point the way by getting in front of them. 
          • The staff helps rescue stray sheep. 
          • Help people get out of trouble. 

6. The rod of correction. 

• • • • • • You have to know when to use it, and use it wisely. 
          • The rod is to use against predators. 
          • Discipline is not to harm but to keep from harm. 

7. The heart of the shepherd. 

• • • • • • There is a cost for leading. 
          • Great leadership is hard work and if you’re not willing to pay the price, those you lead will have to pay it. 
          • What distinguishes a great leader from an ordinary leader is your heart for the people. 
          • If you give your sheep halfhearted leadership, they will follow you halfheartedly.