One of the best ways for a leader to understand his team is to get into their shoes.  In the show Undercover Boss, the boss takes on the tasks of his employees to get a closer look at what or who needs improvement.  By the end of the show they’ve has learned about the trials his people are facing firsthand.

In a few days, my teamof student actors, will be performing.  I’ve occasionally joined them on stage to remind myself of the things they’re going though. Will I remember lines; will my props be in the right place; will I enter at the right time -am I in costume? It helps me understand the other side of the production process.

All of us can learn through this practice.  Do you have a co-worker that’s never happy – can’t seem to focus – doesn’t pull his weight?  When you get to know him, you might discover he’s facing a financial crisis or has serious health or relationship issues.  Do you have “friends” who bully or try to make you look bad?  Maybe they’ve never seen success and the only way to look good is to make someone else feel bad.  Maybe they’ve never had a good friend.  If we try to get into the heads of our government leaders, we might even discover what’s motivating them, but I doubt it.

Jesus left His heavenly home to live in poverty.  He never had a place to call home.  He was despised by the leaders of the church.  He was ignored by the people He came to save.  He was wounded, spat upon and suffered a horrendous death.  He took our place!  He than came back to assure us that we have an everlasting home with Him.  That’s what I call a real undercover boss.