The Way of the Shepherd: 7 Ancient Secrets to Managing Productive People

Dr. Kevin Leman is an internationally known Christian psychologist, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of fifty books, including Have a New Kid by Friday, The Birth Order Book, and Making Your Children Mind without Losing Yours. A master communicator, Dr. Leman is a frequent guest on hundreds of radio and TV shows such as The View, Oprah, Today, Fox & Friends, and Focus on the Family. He and his wife, Sande, live in Tucson, Arizona. They are the parents of five children and two grandchildren.

William Pentak has twenty-two years of proven success in revitalizing under-performing organizations. An author, columnist, pastor, consultant and speaker, he has traveled across the nation delivering keynote addresses and seminars. An MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, William was one of the last hires made by Enron before the company imploded in bankruptcy. He currently works in External Communications at Reliant Energy in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Kevin Leman is the founder of MatchWise.com and the best-selling author of twenty-five books on marriage and family. A master communicator, Dr. Leman is a frequent guest on numerous radio and television shows such as The View, Oprah, Today, CNN, and Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson.

William Pentak has twenty-two years of proven success in revitalizing under-performing organizations. An author, columnist, pastor, consultant and speaker, he has traveled across the nation delivering keynote addresses and seminars. An MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, William was one of the last hires made by Enron before the company imploded in bankruptcy. He currently works in External Communications at Reliant Energy in Houston, Texas.

“To be a successful leader, you’re going to have to interact with people in much the same way that a shepherd interacts with his sheep.” That is the concept set forth in William Pentak and Dr. Kevin Leman’s book, The Way of the Shepherd. Proposing a philosophy that is quite different from most in modern management, the book contends that if bosses want workers to give their best, then bosses must first give theirs.
Pentak tells of his days as a young reporter, when he was granted an exclusive interview with Theodore McBride, one of the most respected CEO’s in America. He immediately discerned that McBride was different from most top executives. Accompanying him to an open range where sheep are grazing, Pentak impatiently waited as McBride inspected and cared for each member of his bleating flock. Thinking that he is wasting his time, the reporter failed to grasp the visual illustration being played out right before his eyes.
The ideas in this book are refreshing, though they are not really new; they were passed down to McBride by a former professor, Dr. Jack Neumann, as a means of equipping him for his first position in leadership.
McBride relayed seven basic leadership principles: (1) know the condition of your flock; (2) discover the shape of your sheep; (3) help your sheep identify with you; (4) make your pasture a safe place; (5) use the staff of direction; (6) the rod of correction; and, (7) the heart of the shepherd.
Leman and Pentak team-up to bring these very down-to-earth leadership concepts to those in management who are eager to cultivate a healthy workplace and a productive workforce. Dr. Leman is an internationally known psychologist, business consultant, award-winning author and speaker. Pentak has twenty-two years of experience in assisting struggling organizations, and is a writer, pastor, consultant, and speaker.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and recommend it to anyone serving in leadership, whether private or public. The Way of the Shepherd would make a great teaching tool. – Nancy Brown, Christian Book Previews.com