"Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.” But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.” (Gen 33:13-14)
The subject of leadership is on that should be of interest to everyone since we all lead in one way or the other. Parents lead their children. Teachers lead students. Pastors lead their flock. We occupy certain roles at work that require us to lead. Now, even if you occupy no leadership position in terms of leading others, you are still expected to lead yourself, which can be the hardest of all.
There are a few leadership lessons In our text today that leaders of every stripe should add to their leadership arsenal in other to be more effective as leaders. Jacob, the master shepherd, when Esau asked him to join him in the journey, responded with the true heart of a shepherd and leader. In the next few day, we will be identifying the various leadership lessons in this text. Today we look at the first lesson which is that,
1. Leaders should know the states of their followers.
"Jacob said, "My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me" Proverbs 27:23 says, "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;"
Leaders should do all they can to keep up with the events in the lives of those they lead. They should know the capacity, uniqueness, strength, weakness, gifts, talents and other important identification metrics of each person the lead. Parents should endeavor to know the unique personalities of each of their children, the friends they keep, their aspirations etc.
There are various ways this can be done formally or informally. Examples include having regular feedback meetings, being generally observant, praying or those you lead, using surveys and evaluations etc. As believers, we also have access to supernatural information by the Holy Spirit which He readily gives when we ask. Whatever tool you use, it is the goal that is paramount which to be acquainted with the current states of those you lead.
Knowledge empowers you to make the right decisions in leading your followers appropriate for the time. You will know the right words to say to them and the right tools to give them. Without the knowledge of their state, you will be in the dark. Granted, you can not possibly know everything going on, but make attempts to keep yourself updated often on their current conditions.
Have you been given charge over some people as a leader? How familiar are you with what is going on in their lives? Take some time to update yourself on the state of each of them. Get into their worlds and feel the temperature. Do this often. You will become a more effective leader. If you are a follower, cooperate with your leaders and empower them to do this by being open and sincere. When leaders and followers work together, great things get achieved.
Decision of the Day
I will not lead in the dark. I will be diligent to know the states of those I lead. I will be open and sincere in dealing with my leaders.
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