THE SHEPHERD OF AFRICA
…an enduring legacy
The shepherd of Africa evokes powerful leadership images. The shepherd of Africa goes about his duty on the plains and lofty hills in studied silence and almost passive efficiency, as he has done for generations. It is a lonely task and one that does not attract much attention. It is a humble undertaking and an unassuming role. But when you study the shepherd’s daily interaction with his flock it is one of perfect harmony and accord. The shepherd awakes early in the morning in his mind he has already mapped out a route march for the day. As he moves to the cattle boma the animals are already calling for his attention and he lets them out one by one examining the state of each as they leave for the day. It is amazing. The animals seem to know the way. He sets out for grazing pasture with his flock in front of him. When they arrive at designated sites he too takes a rest by the side.
At the designated time the flocks head for the watering hole and jostle one another for a drink. The animals pay little attention to the shepherd but if you asked them they know he is there. If you want to test this theory I challenge you to take over the Shepherd’s job at any point in the day for an hour. You will find that the flock does not know you. It is an arduous job not extremely exciting except in the face of danger (or mischief on the part of some animals). When this happens then the shepherd stands squarely in front of the attacking presence (his back to the flock) and protects his flock. He also assumes this position periodically when he wants to give new directions to the flock (but this time facing the flock). At the end of the day he returns behind a tired well fed herd that he puts to bed before he addresses his own needs. For him the day has been a success.
The African shepherd in his humility holds multiple authentic lessons for leadership in Africa. From this classic example we derive two major and two minor positions assumed by leadership.
UPFRONT
Too many times leadership is out in front giving directions. The assumption is that leadership needs to be out in front to show the people the way. It might help leadership to appreciate that the people have a fairly good idea of which way to go. Leadership is so busy showing the way (with their backs to the followers) that they loose track of the people. Some followers are sick and in trouble others are lost and tired others just drop off. Where is the leadership? Out in front; standing in the way of progress. In this position followers will move at the speed of the leadership (which may not be ideal). This position should only be assumed periodically with specific reason such as danger or direction. It is not to be dwelt upon because leadership will either loose sight of the followers or loose sight direction - lost sheep or lost vision. Much leadership teaching emphasizes the upfront -on top of things- position as the most important, practical and most pivotal position of anyone in leadership. Is it?
REARGUARD
The shepherd spends most of his time in this position. It is one in which his view is full of his followers and one in which he is also in view of where they are all going. This is a most strategic position. Military organization knows this well. It is in this position that the leader is able to study the followers, understand their individual abilities by observation. It is in this position that he is able to help the weaker ones. It is in this position alone that he can be sure he has not lost any of his followers and nobody has come to harm. In this position leadership is able to guide and control yet allow individuals with different energy and ability the freedom of expression. Rearguard does not stand between the followers and the objectives. In this position leadership is not the center of attraction. In this position movement will be at the speed of the followers (which is acceptable). In this position leadership is in fact a follower and not a leader.
These are the two major positions. Most (organization) leadership spends much more time in front than at the back. But if you ask me the shepherd is no fool to choose the rearguard position. It is the most strategic and most effective position to lead, organize and create order. There are two other important positions for leadership: Rightside and Blindside
RIGHTSIDE
Leadership takes up this position forming a demarcation for the followers to be wary of. The easiest side to go wandering of is the right side. The right side usually presents attractions that will distract followers from their goals. Followers will be tempted to wander of into a maize plantation that is along the way. The presence of leadership reminds them that they cannot go there if they want to get to their goals and stay on the right side of the boss. The followers may be enjoying new found pasture and wondering around happily, but are just as likely to get into mischief. They need a firm reminder of right from wrong, allowed and unacceptable. The people need to be clear on morals standards and organization norms.
BLINDSIDE
The final position is the blindside. This is a blind spot position in which the leader has full view of his flock but gives them wide open pasture in which their expression and rambling is contained by natural boundaries. When the sheep are in such a safe zone leadership can plan the next move and can even take a minute to scan the horizon for areas he will investigate in the coming days. Leadership has a vantage point while the followers have a measure of freedom.
The side positions are taken up intermittently and are usually planned to coincide with the environmental conditions as the corporate journey unfolds. Could it be that the absence of rearguard accounts for much of the lack of vision and strategic focus in organizations because leadership is actually standing in the way of its followers. Could it be that leadership runs out of ideas and options because they do not take time to scan the environments for opportunities? Could it be that organizations fail because they lack discipline and clear operating standards to ensure they achieve their goals?
ALL-ROUND LEADERSHIP
Effective leadership is also derived from the strong bond of association between the flock and leadership. It is a congenial relationship. The flock supports the efforts of the leader to do his duty while the leader develops trust as he fulfills his social responsibility and feeds (and satisfies) the hopes and dreams of the flock. You could call this learned trust or merited favour built through reliability and consistency in satisfying the people’s needs. This all-round leadership sharply contrasts both top-down (bureaucracy) leadership that favors directives and responsive (bottom up) leadership favored by NGOs community organizations. All round leadership integrates the elements of vision, care, control and direction of organization growth and development into the process of achieving corporate goals.