This was a saying from a senior statesman with years of experience in small church denomination.

The analogy plays into the horns that grow on certain kinds of wild sheep in the wilderness. Their horns become a sense of animal pride and symbolize virality and leadership. Maybe even--"the one with the biggest horns gets to lead."

The horns are huge to the ram--and--there are a lot of "rams" around.

This saying is a leadership principle: IF YOU NEED TO DEAL WITH A LEADER, DO IT IN PRIVATE.

Whatever the matter you need to deal with the person who is in charge of others (large groups or small) don't do it in front of others.

Here's why"

1. A de-horned ram is embarrassed beyond words. The humiliation that is felt goes beyond just the ram. If the flock is watching--even if the flock hates the ram they will feel sorry for it because of the embarrassment. The whole thing will back fire on the one who dehorned the ram.

2. A de-horned ram panics. No one knows where panic takes them until it happens. The ram may turn and run (there by leaving you in charge of a group you may not have wanted to lead). The ram may turn on you and hurt you. The ram may turn on the flock and cause destruction of the very ones he/she once protected. The panic of a de-horned ram is unpredictable.

3. De-horning a ram in front of the flock is just no way to deal with situations. It shows the weakness in leadership of the person doing the de-horning. They are proving that they are too weak to deal with something individually--instead they need an audience to watch.

Don't surprise people in public by putting them on the spot. Deal with them in private. If you do so, your own leadership will be much more effective.