How Do You Lead?

I've had the opportunity to experience different styles of shepherds. I've been pushed around by the violent, broken by the manipulative, and moved to purpose by the great. We are all sheep listening out for our Master's call. In this journey of ups and down, I have also been a shepherd. My herd was...difficult.

Some of you understand the metaphor and others will see it differently. Those of you who follow my Instagram voted for this blog to be "Leaders vs. Managers" but I hope the expectation wasn't a rant about the people I work for or a bad day in my workplace.

This is about knowing the difference between being a leader and just being a manager.

It goes beyond the workplace and lives in every moment of you life: the chance to guide people to their purpose and ultimately discover your own. I have watched as people allow their titles to guide their decisions. I have stood between an abuser of their power and a faithful servant. Life has a way of allowing you to be in places that aren't necessarily meant to break you, they are there to show you something. I would always ask God, "Why am I going through this?" , but I never asked, "What should I do while I'm going through this?"

In all of us lives an uncharted awareness: a sheep and a lion. Both of these animals are powerful in their own way. One has the power of grace and one the power of mercy. Sheep gracefully listen to the shepherd no matter how hard he/she is. They fall in line and under the right master, they are led to fields of enrichment as far as the eye can see. Lions have life and death in the grip of their teeth and yet, they have the knowledge to practice restraint through mercy. You yourself contain these two great creatures. So what am I saying?

Anyone can bark an order...but a leader gets down and helps. Anyone can yell, scream, and insult...but a leader holds out their hand. This is the difference. This is what you have in you.

How do you lead?

By example.

Be the hero that you needed when you were a kid, as cliche as that sounds. Live freely in order to give freely. There are people around you who don't know what it means to be kind. There are people around you looking for answers to set the pace for their own lives. Live with grace and operate in mercy. Forgive those who hurt you, love those who turn their backs on you, and show the hurting that it is possible to be bright again.

You are a leader when you allow yourself to be yourself. You are an inspiration when you stop hiding and allow your light to shine. There's only one of you in the billions upon billions of people on the planet...there's only ONE of you.

So keep your head up, be encouraged, and know that you are loved.