Shepherds and Kings.

A few days ago, a friend on mine and I were talking about what it means to go after big companies. He cautioned me and rightly so about challenging large companies (names withheld). I responded that I had spent too much time with David and that as a result, I was now convinced that I could take on Giants. 

So I have come up with a few thoughts and ideas about what it means to be David and what possible gems we can derive from his life on what it takes to deal with really big people and groups which not only challenge us but also challenge others around us. 

1. Do what you do well. 

He was a shepherd and made progress in this position. Everything he learnt later was based to a large extent on personal victories which he achieved while in this state. Even if he moved to handle other tasks, he remained true to his core. There is therefore a possibility that even when he governed, he governed to a large extent as a shepherd and saw everything that he did in that context. Those who have study the bible tell us that to a great extent, God met people in their places and positions of work and dealt and spoke with them in these contexts. 

1 Samuel 17:15

But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

2. Be yourself.

Even if you have to be mindful of corporate culture when you make changes in your career, the chances are, that you will gain more respect if you stay true to yourself. There was an attempt by King Saul to dress David in his own Clothes but David Rejected this and kept his own clothes. I was important to him to face Goliath in his own garb. Trying to be like your Boss will be exhausting. When he tried on his Kings armor, it did not fit and he had 'not proved it'. 

1 Samuel 17:38-39

And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

3. Use your Experience and document it.

Conventional wisdom points to the value of CV and resumes as tools that help employers find the right employees. Think not only of that as a valuable tool but think also on these as personal maps into your future and record books that could help you track your progress. The shepherd by was able to make connection between the Bear and the Lion and eventually the Giant. 

1 Samuel 17:34-35

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth:and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

4. Rewards matter.

If the reward is big enough give it a try but make sure that you have the skill to match the challenge or you might lose your life (maybe not literally). These challenges will give you an opportunity to interact with people who are also involved in your field of experience and who will be useful in sharpening your skill level. Use these experiences to learn in less traditional settings. 

1 Samuel 17:24-25

And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up:and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

5. Readiness to leave to achieve more.

There is a part of your life that might require you to temporarily leave one place in favor of another place and position. If you must, make sure that you have taken the time to raise up someone to take your place or that you have ensured a simple transition process. 

1 Samuel 17:20

And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.

6. Filial challenges.

Try to serve your brothers and save a place for yourself in their hearts.

The same scenario is repeated in earlier texts and in a rather different context. Joseph is clearly the Father's favorite and was doing very little to hide it. The father in this case deploys one of his favored sons to spy on the others knowing full well the possibility to negative outcomes. Contrast this story with the story in which David is sent out to feed his bothers too and has similar attitudes towards their fears. In this case though, it is not very obvious that David is favored by his Father. He is still the errand boy and shepherd. 

Genesis 37:14

And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.