These past two years have brought a lot of anxiety and ushered in new levels of exhaustion. Many leaders have expressed their overall sense of depletion. I have described this panoramic experience through the motif of "wilderness." Wilderness is both geographic and a state of being. It represents a wasteland area and an utter sense of losing one's bearings. It has left many leaders with a greater sense of doubt, fear, loneliness, and confusion.

In the previous two posts, I focused on the leader's life in the wilderness. I have attempted to normalize wilderness experiences, knowing that they will return. I have tried to supply some perspective and practical ways forward so that wilderness seasons serve their overall purpose of leadership growth. (Here are links for the previous two posts: post one—post two)

But now, we must turn our gaze toward leading in the wilderness. What does it look like to lead our teams and others under our supervision through the wilderness? That is our daily task. We do not get a pass on fulfilling our role as a leader. We must show up and do our best to serve those who are counting on us to point the way.

One of Edwin Friedman's primary tenets in A Failure of Nerve is the following:

The greatest leadership quality for the 21st century will be the ability to bring a non-anxious presence into every situation and setting. (A Failure of Nerve, Edwin Friedman)

An Ancient Metaphor

To consider how to do this best, we will turn to an ancient metaphor to match our motif. Shepherding is one of the world's oldest professions. It can be dated back some ten thousand years in Mesopotamia. This cultural concept was so well known and understood that even national rulers were known as "shepherd kings." There are many leadership aspects and principles that align with the vocation of a shepherd. The three primary functions of a shepherd are to provide guidance, provision, and protection.

The focus of any shepherd is on the sheep. Sheep, by nature, are fragile and vulnerable. Therefore, vigilance is required on the shepherd's part to ensure the sheep's safety. The shepherd must lead the sheep from pasture to pasture, often over very rough terrain. The shepherd must ensure that the sheep have adequate food and water, which must be found naturally within the landscape. And a shepherd must be watchful to protect the sheep from various predators and from wandering off and getting lost on their own. Shepherds often worked alone, or in the case of a vast herd, they might hire under-shepherds to aid them.

There are two commodities every leader should pay attention to and intentionally seek to develop—voice and presence. These two aspects of leadership comport well with the shepherd metaphor. I have watched shepherds in Italy lead sizeable herds of sheep with their unique voices and visible presence. If we are to do well at leading others with a non-anxious posture as they are experiencing the wilderness, then these two traits are vital.

Leading in the Wilderness Requires a Clear Voice

Leading with a clear voice includes not only the sounds you make but how those sounds are expressed. Your leadership voice consists of the organizational elements of vision, expectations, alignment, and correction. But it also must include simple recognition and praise, saying "thank you," and inquiring about the well-being of another. You can lend your voice on behalf of another, expressing for them what they may not be able to say for themselves.

What is the distinct nature of your voice as a leader? For a season, I oversaw a geographic region of leaders. When I traveled to their locale, I would often grab an hour with their teams and those even farther down the communication line. I intended to discern the common messages received from the top. What was the nature and message of the leader's voice? Typically, there was no hesitation. Common phrases, mannerisms, and statements rolled off their tongues. It was easy to pick up on how the leaders were perceived by the stories that were told—from the words they uttered and how they expressed them.

A clear voice cannot simply be about the messages regularly communicated. It must also include knowing. Sheep always know the distinct voice of their shepherd—and the shepherd leader should always know the specific name of each sheep. To know their name implies that you know something about them—you know them. You know their hopes and desires, their dreams, their aspirations, their tendencies, their weaknesses, as well as their strengths. You know something of their background and the history that has shaped them until now. You know them.

Leading in the Wilderness Requires a Close Presence

As a leader, much of your presence is about the space you take up and the space you create for others. It is fitting that you take up a certain amount of space as a leader. Your title and role afford you that opportunity. What authority your followers grant you over time depends on what you do with the space you occupy.

Certainly, a significant aspect of presence is visibility. How often do your people see you? Do you only show up in the spaces you are required? Do you only show up in the places they are required to attend? Or do you also show up in their space—where they live and lead? Every follower longs to be validated in their own context.

There is also a multitude of ways that you can multiply your presence without showing up. You can do this through the medium of writing. While email is a horrible means of delivering bad news, it can work well for communicating hope and affirmation. A quick text message allows you to be specific and singular. Organizational-wide meetings will enable you to address several common themes that all need to hear simultaneously. Gifts and accolades can build a sense of being seen and belonging. While physical presence is significant, there is no one way to manifest your leadership presence. Use multiple expressions to create the culture you are desiring.

Voice and presence are especially critical during a wilderness season. Your people need to hear and see you more often than usual. They need to know that you are with them and like them. Their greatest expressed or unexpressed needs are restoration, confirmation, strength, and stability. Empathy and authenticity that ultimately lead to acts of compassion will go a long way in meeting these needs.

Never forget that the greatest gift you can give through your voice and presence is a strong sense of hope. In wilderness seasons, people need hope—the affirmed anticipation that things will get better.

Let's return to the three primary functions of a shepherd: guidance or direction, provision, and protection. During a wilderness season, are you providing clear direction daily to keep your team afloat? Are you ensuring they have the resources they need to do their jobs and to be emotionally stable while in the wilderness? And are you protecting them in appropriate ways that help to maintain their stability and well-being?

If you are inclined, take a few moments and read two portions of the Bible for a better understanding of what it means to be a shepherd leader. John 10:1-21 has a lot to say about the caring nature of a shepherd and the power of voice. 1 Peter 5:1-11 speaks to the idea of posture and presence and instructs us as to motives. If you are feeling ambitious, read Ezekiel 34:1-24 on how not to be a shepherd leader. Never forget that you also are a sheep. Be easy to lead.

Below are some questions for self-reflection to aid you in becoming a better shepherd leader.

Diagnostic Questions for Leading in the Wilderness

· Do you know those you lead? Do you know their story? Do you know their hopes, desires, and dreams? Do you know their wounds?

· Do they truly know you? Where are you being appropriately authentic?

· Do those you lead know your voice? What you believe? What you stand for?

· Do they know you care? How do they know you care?

· Is your primary leadership posture one of authority or one of relationship?

· What might the three shepherd functions of direction, provision, and protection look like lived out in your leadership context?