* Intimacy ( “In-to-Me-See”): The Case for Intimate Leadership

When I think of leadership, the first image that comes to mind is the biblical illustration of the shepherd and his sheep—a timeless metaphor for the relationship between leaders and followers. It wasn’t just about giving direction or exercising control; it was about intimacy, connection, and responsibility. The shepherd knew each sheep by name, spoke to them gently, and even patted them on the head each evening to soothe them. He didn’t lead from afar or through impersonal systems—if such systems even existed then. He led by staying close, observant, and engaged. That closeness wasn’t sentimental fluff—it was strategic. Shepherds achieved their purpose not through dominance, but through presence, trust, and vulnerability. And I can’t help but ask: why can’t we revive that model of leadership today? Of course, a modern leader literally patting employees on the head would be wildly inappropriate. But surely the essence still holds. Shouldn’t today’s leaders aim to build the kind of tru...