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Table of Contents
About the Book
What if servant leadership isn't enough? Drawing from personal failure, business success, and the timeless wisdom of Psalm 23, Nick Westbrook introduces a leadership model that moves beyond burnout and toward flourishing people, healthy teams, and lasting impact.
What if the greatest measure of leadership isn't your success—but the condition of the people you lead?
For decades, leadership experts have championed the idea of servant leadership. But what began as a positive shift away top-down leadership has morphed into a philosophy that promotes service and self-sacrifice at the expense of leaders and those they lead, resulting in teams, churches, and families who are over-served but under-led. It’s time for a new framework.
Shepherd Leadership, entrepreneur and leadership coach Nick Westbrook lays out what leadership could look like if service was part of leadership, rather than the whole. As a self-professed recovering servant leader, Westbrook knows the pitfalls of over-serving. His team and marriage suffered from it. After burning out and hitting rock bottom, a mentor suggested he revisit Psalm 23. King David’s popular hymn revealed to Westbrook a new way to live and lead, not as a servant, but as a shepherd.
A shepherd’s number one concern is the health of his flock. What if a leader’s was the same? What if success was not measured by sales, but whether the people in your care are thriving?
Westbrook uses Psalm 23 to outline the four essential responsibilities of effective leaders:
Shepherd Leadership is a timely call to move beyond performance-driven leadership. Because true leadership isn’t about how much you accomplish—it’s about what happens to the people who follow you.
What if the greatest measure of leadership isn't your success—but the condition of the people you lead?
For decades, leadership experts have championed the idea of servant leadership. But what began as a positive shift away top-down leadership has morphed into a philosophy that promotes service and self-sacrifice at the expense of leaders and those they lead, resulting in teams, churches, and families who are over-served but under-led. It’s time for a new framework.
Shepherd Leadership, entrepreneur and leadership coach Nick Westbrook lays out what leadership could look like if service was part of leadership, rather than the whole. As a self-professed recovering servant leader, Westbrook knows the pitfalls of over-serving. His team and marriage suffered from it. After burning out and hitting rock bottom, a mentor suggested he revisit Psalm 23. King David’s popular hymn revealed to Westbrook a new way to live and lead, not as a servant, but as a shepherd.
A shepherd’s number one concern is the health of his flock. What if a leader’s was the same? What if success was not measured by sales, but whether the people in your care are thriving?
Westbrook uses Psalm 23 to outline the four essential responsibilities of effective leaders:
- Know your people.
- Guide them toward what’s best.
- Protect them.
- Provide what they need to thrive.
Shepherd Leadership is a timely call to move beyond performance-driven leadership. Because true leadership isn’t about how much you accomplish—it’s about what happens to the people who follow you.
About the Author
Nick Westbrook grew up in South Georgia, where he developed a passion for leadership, competition, and investing in people. He began his career as an award-winning high school Head Football Coach before transitioning into sales, where he built a successful career centered on developing relationships and helping others succeed.
In 2016 Nick was selected to become a Chick-fil-A Owner/Operator, where he has led one of the brand's top-performing restaurants. Under his leadership, his restaurant has earned multiple awards for sales growth and operational excellence. More importantly, he has become known for developing leaders, mentoring numerous Chick-fil-A Operators, and helping shape the next generation of leaders.
He is the host of The Shepherd Leadership Podcast. As a sought-after speaker, Nick teaches organizations and leadership teams how to practice Shepherd Leadership by creating healthy cultures, strengthening organizational health, and committing to personal and professional growth.
Nick and his college sweetheart have been married since 2003 and are the proud parents of two adult daughters. He is passionate about inspiring, encouraging, and equipping leaders to know, guide, protect, and provide for those entrusted to their care so that their people thrive and become the leader others will follow for life.
Product Details
- Publisher: Maxwell Leadership (January 26, 2027)
- Length: 240 pages
- ISBN13: 9798887100586
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Raves and Reviews
“There’s a quote I often repeat: ‘Caring shepherds smell like sheep.’ You can often spot the most successful Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators by exactly that spirit—seasoned coater on their pants and all. Caring leaders, like caring shepherds, engage in the midst of the front lines constantly recognizing and showing appreciation for folks. They know their team, and their team knows them. This book captures that timeless truth.”
—Dan T. Cathy, Chairman of Chick-fil-A, Inc. and Founder and Chief Visionary of Trilith
“In Shepherd Leadership, Nick Westbrook has established a new framework for leadership that combines timeless principles and current best practices in a profoundly insightful, engaging, and applicable way. This innovative framework highlights Nick’s leadership approach, which is built upon both ancient wisdom and his own lived experience. Shepherd Leadership is a mindset and a methodology that can make a difference—in families, schools, businesses, nonprofits, ministries, communities at large, and beyond!”
—Tim Tassopolous, Retired President and COO, Chick-fil-A, Inc.
“Shepherd Leadership bridges the gap between high-level execution and authentic care. Nick Westbrook challenges leaders to move beyond overserving and step up to intentional, disciplined guidance. A must-read for leaders who want to build a culture people will follow for life.”
—Chris McChesney, #1 Bestselling Author of The 4 Disciplines of Execution
“The question every leader should ask is: Are the people in my care better because I led them? Nick Westbrook gives us a compelling picture of leadership that knows people, guides them, protects them, and gives them what they need to thrive. Shepherd Leadership is a timely reminder that the legacy of a leader lives in the people who follow.”
—Ken Coleman, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author and Senior VP of Marketing, Qualtrics
“The thesis of Nick’s book—What if the greatest measure of leadership isn’t your success but the condition of the people you lead?—is not only on point but could save capitalism in this country. We need more caring and loving leaders like Nick who want their employees to thrive as well. I recommend this book without hesitation.”
—Joel Manby, Former CEO of Saab Automobile, Herschend Family Enterprises, and SeaWorld Entertainment and Author of Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders
“A mentor of mine challenged me to ‘leave things better than when I found them.’ Nick’s life and leadership is an example of what can happen when we lead like a shepherd. Shepherd Leadership is a clarion call that it’s not about us but about the people we lead. Let’s leave people and places better. Nick shows us how.”
—Jeff Henderson, Executive Director, Leadership Innovation and Strategy, Chick-fil-A and Author of Know What You Are FOR: A Growth Strategy for Work, An Even Better Strategy for Life
“In a world filled with leadership books, it is rare to find one that offers a genuinely fresh perspective while remaining deeply rooted in biblical truth. Shepherd Leadership does exactly that, giving leaders a compelling framework for knowing, guiding, protecting, and providing for the people God has entrusted to them. This book is a timely and important reminder that the true measure of leadership is not simply what we accomplish but who the people we lead become. You will enjoy this book and be encouraged as you lead your team toward still waters and green pastures.”
—Chuck Gilliam, Chief Membership Officer of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International)
“If you’re feeling burned out by traditional corporate management or looking for a more fulfilling way to lead, Shepherd Leadership is an essential read. Nick Westbrook offers a powerful, empathetic blueprint that proves taking care of your people isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the foundation for sustainable team success. Packed with practical wisdom and real-world insights, it will completely transform how you view your role as a leader.”
—Jeff Vines, Lead Pastor of One&All Church and CEO of One&All Media
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