Leadership's Duty
Ezekiel 34:6
"My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them."
Leadership is more than filling a position. There are many people who want a position of leadership, but rarely do they fulfill the duties of leadership. People enjoy the title and privileges of leadership, but many times they neglect their duties. Our society lacks true leadership. It is no wonder that our society is in the condition that it is in when you look at the those who fill the position of leadership.
In the verse above, God addressed the shepherds of Israel. Though the shepherds were the priests and prophets, they were also the leaders. God pronounced His judgement upon these leaders because they were not doing their duties. When you look at why God judged them, you find the duties of leadership defined in the eyes of God. Let me show you the duties of leadership.
First, leaders are to feed those whom they lead. Verse 2 says, "...should not the shepherds feed the flocks?" When I think of feeding, I think of teaching your followers how to do things. Many leaders like to give commands, but a good leader will show their followers how to do what they are doing better. They feed them with information on how to do a better job. They feed them with personal illustrations on how to do what they are supposed to do. Leaders are not just to tell people what to do, but they are to teach them how to do it.
Second, leaders are to encourage those whom they lead. Verse 4 says the leaders were to strengthen those they led. One mistake I have seen leaders make is constantly degrading their followers instead of encouraging them. A leader would help his followers far more by encouraging them than by constantly correcting them. I have found that if you will encourage people, they will work harder to do what is right.
Third, a leader is to fix problems. God says that the shepherds were to bind up "that which was broken." Part of the unpleasant side of leadership is having to correct people when they do wrong. Yet, if you are going to be the right type of leader, when you see something that needs to be fixed, no matter how unpleasant it may be to correct someone, you are to fix the problem.
Fourth, leaders are to protect from harm. In verse 5 you see that the sheep were left to be a prey for the beast. If you are a leader, it is your duty to be sure your followers are kept from harm. You are to protect them. You are to find out what will damage and destroy them, then keep them from that which will harm them.
Fifth, leaders are to give direction. In the verse above, you find that the sheep wandered because they had no direction. Simply put, leaders are to lead. People will not know what to do if they have no direction. You need to be sure that you give clear direction in your leadership.
Leadership is more than a position, it carries duties that are unpleasant at times. Yes, there are perks to leadership, but the purpose of leadership is to help those you to lead reach their fullest potential. If you are a leader, then be sure to fulfill your duties of leadership. If you are a follower, then allow your leader to fulfill his duties with you. When both leader and follower are doing what they are supposed to do, then you will find that together you will reach your greatest potential.