Leadership isn’t about commanding from the front—it’s about showing up, stepping in, and sometimes, quite literally, carrying someone when they can’t take another step on their own.
Think of the shepherd. When he finds the lost sheep, the shepherd doesn’t scold it, doesn’t tell it to keep up, and doesn’t punish it for falling behind. The shepherd picks the sheep up, places it on his shoulders, and carries it home. That’s leadership. Not distant direction, but presence. Not just guidance, but involvement. A willingness to shoulder burdens alongside those we lead.
This kind of leadership—“come with me” leadership—creates a culture of trust, momentum, and shared effort. It tells the team: You’re not in this alone. We move together. When one struggles, we carry. When one succeeds, we celebrate. The weight of responsibility is lighter when shared and the journey forward is stronger when walked side by side.
But it doesn’t stop there. When the shepherd brings the lost sheep home, the celebration isn’t private—it’s communal. Leadership when done right is contagious. It sets an unspoken expectation that we look out for one another. It creates opportunities, lifts others up, and creates an environment that desires to be replicated.
The best leaders don’t just direct a team or a crowd. They find, carry, and celebrate the one who needs them most. And in doing so, they create a culture where others do the same.