The Sheep and the Pig who set up house (Fulfilling the mission through diverse talents)

There’s an old Norwegian folktale, The Sheep and the Pig Who Set Up House, that tells tale of our animal friends working together. Their wisdom of relying on the strengths of one another to overcome the odds and to fulfill the mission set before them is admirable.

Once upon a time there was a ram that lived in his master’s barn. Every day since this ram was a small lamb, he was stuffed with the most delicious food. One day the dairymaid came to feed the ram, and this day mentioned that he should eat well because it would be his last meal. Tomorrow he would be on the family’s dinner plate.

This was rather disturbing to the ram, who being a strong visionary clearly saw his fate and what needed to be done. He did indeed ‘eat up’, and as soon as the dairymaid left, he escaped and went straight away to the home of his longtime friend the pig.

He convinced the pig about the terrible fate awaiting those who are so well feed. The pig clearly saw that she may be next and was eager to escape; but where would they go? The ram suggested that they go deep into the woods and build a house where they could live out the rest of their days.

Neither the ram nor the pig were experts at every aspect of home building, but together they were very strong at combining the skills of Visionary and Administrative Leadership, thus, combining to become an effective and efficient Strategic Leader. They were willing to work together, so off they went.

When they had walked a little ways they met a friendly goose who asked where they were headed. When the ram explained their vision telling the goose why they had been feed so well and that they were going to build a home deep in the woods. The goose commented that she had escaped the same fate after being feed so well and asked if she could join them in building their house in the woods.

At this request the pig exercised her interviewing skills. She let the goose know that they would love to have her on the team, but before she could join them, they first needed to know what skills she had that would contribute to the goal.

The goose explained that she was an expert plucker and stuffer. She could pluck moss and stuff it into the seams of the planks so that the house would be both tight and warm.

Because she had a useful and needed skill she was welcomed on the journey.

After walking a little farther, they met a hare who asked where they were going. After the ram explained the dreadful reasons why they were so well fed at home and that they were going to build a house deep in the woods, the hare commented that although in the summer he found a home in the bush, that in the cold of winter he often wished that he had a warm home and asked if he could join them.

Again the COO pig explained that they would love to bring him on but because every member of the team needed to contribute they needed to know what he could do.

The hare explained his usefulness; that with his sharp teeth he could gnaw pegs and with his paws, drive them into the wall.

“This is a useful skill,” said the pig and welcomed him aboard.

When the group had gone a bit further they came across a rooster wondering where this group was going in such fine spirits. The ram explained the dreadful reason why they were so well feed at home and that they were going to build a home deep in the woods.

The rooster had long believed that all roosters crow loudest at home, and asked to join them. The COO pig once again went into interview mode and asked the rooster how he could help them to build a house.

The rooster commented that he was up early every morning and since they had no clock, his job would be to wake everyone up in time to start their day.

Because the pig was such a sound sleeper, she saw the wisdom in rooster’s proposal and invited the rooster along.

When the group found a good spot deep in the woods to build their home, the pig cut the timber and the ram carried it home; the goose plucked moss and stuffed it into the seams; the hare was the carpenter and gnawed pegs, and hammered them into the walls and roof; and the rooster crowed early each morning, making certain that no one overslept.

Although their lives together were not without challenges, such as avoiding a hostile takeover by a pack of wolves. Still the team built a beautiful home because each member worked within their gifts as one body.

This is the key to diversity. Many parts, many gifts, many skills working together as one body to accomplish the vision. [i]

Like in the story...

Strategic Leadership means that team members are placed in positions where their roles enable the organization to reach its maximum potential.

If the team members under your care are to merge successfully into one unit whose results are greater than the individual members, then all positions are honored. If we are to unlock the power of the diverse talents within your organization, then like the animals, the different backgrounds and skills, of each team member must be appreciated, affirmed, and valued.

So, how do you do it?

Below are thirteen questions to better identify the culture and diversity of your church. Your answers can help you discover and implement the strategies that will help you to get you and your Church where God wants it to be.

1) How are new team members hired and orientated?

2) How are team members evaluated?

3) How are they recognized for a job well done?

4) How are they motivated to do better?

5) When and how are employees disciplined?

6) Are employees clear on the methods of discipline?

7) How are conflicts handled?

a. Between staff and management?

b. Between managers?

c. Between staff members?

8) What is the vision of the Church?

9) Why are you called to fulfill this Vision?

10) What is the plan for accomplishing the vision?

11) What is each team member’s role in making that vision a reality?

12) Are we willing to dismiss even the top producing employees if they are not a cultural fit?

13) Do I share with my team the areas where I am are weak and that I need their help? (This gives your team members permission to do the same.)

If we habitually focus on how to improve things that are already great, can you see how this spirit can transform ourselves, our organizations, families and communities? – Tony Robbins

In order to best utilize the diverse skills of those in your care it is imperative that team members know and serve out of their diverse talents. Shockingly, most team members do not know what their talents are.

As Strategic Leaders, our goal is to help our team members reach their potential and thus grow our business.

[i] Adapted from “The Sheep and the Pig Who Set Up House” a story from Tales from the Field by P. Asbjornsen (London: Chapman & Hall, 193, Piccadilly, 1874), pp. 267-272.

[ii] (According to research presented by Charles Schwartz in Three Colors of Ministry (Churchesmart, 2004), (The Barna Group 2008 – www.barna.org)