I believe there is a huge difference between leading someone and driving someone. When you lead people, the mass majority of them get to where you desire for them to go. When you drive people, you personally might get to your destination sooner, but the number of people who get there with you is minimal at best. Leading someone requires the leader to take time to invest in the people the leader wants to influence. Driving people, however, requires little or no investment in people because the end result is more important than people.
I could go on and on about this, but I think you get the point. Therefore, allow me to present a question. How do you know if you are leading someone and not driving them? Lynn Anderson, in his book They Smell Like Sheep, says that someone is a good shepherd or leader if he or she smells like sheep. I believe shepherding style leadership is effective because it causes the leader to be in and amongst those he is leading. This will result in the person using this style to smell like those he is leading.
The question now becomes, what does it look like be in and amongst those you want to lead? This too can take on a number of different characteristics. For some, it might mean leading people through social media or other forms of written communication. For others, it might be taking time out of your day to have intentional conversations with others around you. A parent or spouse can also participate in this type of leadership by investing time into a family member in a manner that the family member receives love. Once again the list in endless.
The common element, however, to this style of leadership is the valuing of people. A shepherd has compassion for those that he leads and is willing to be patient in the process. He also knows the desired outcome and will not be distracted from taking those in his care to that outcome.
I believe we are all leading someone. Let's reflect on our styles this day and strive to truly lead them and not simply drive them.
