Introduction
The purpose of leadership is to provide direction and vision, motivate and inspire others, and help create an environment of communication and collaboration among team members to achieve a mission.
In a previous article, I discussed the use of classic movies, such as Twelve O’clock High, Crimson Tide, Remember the Titans, The Caine Mutiny, and 12 Angry Men to illustrate what leaders do and mistakes people entrusted with authority should not do. The US Marine Corps Leadership Rules and Leadership at the Point of a Bayonet by Major Dick Winters are two excellent summaries of desirable leadership traits.
Another great source of leadership examples is, perhaps surprisingly, the Bible. One of many sterling examples of a great leaders, such as Moses and Joshua, is found in the Book of Nehemiah.
Background
Nehemiah was an Old Testament prophet who was taken to Babylon after it defeated Israel in 586 BC. Nehemiah served as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah lived a comfortable life, wanting for nothing. This changed when he received a report from his brother that the walls of Jerusalem were completely in ruins and that the people remaining there had departed from their faith in God.
Nehemiah approached the king, fully aware that his request to leave his service and rebuild the walls of an enemy city could displease the king and result in his immediate execution. Nevertheless, he approached the king with his request to undertake his mission in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah’s life illustrates many traits that made him an inspiring and effective leader.
Nehemiah’s Leadership Traits
- Self-confidence. The Bible is replete with examples of God using imperfect people to accomplish great things; David (an adulterer), Moses (a temper), and the Apostle Paul (initially, a persecutor of Christians) come to mind. Nehemiah was not considered a great man. He was a slave and a cup bearer. Yet, like other giants of the Bible, he had faith in his God and was confident that with His support, he could accomplish great things, serious obstacles notwithstanding.
- Reliance on God. Related to the above, Nehemiah realized that one accomplishes little without God’s support. Even today, we speak of “God-given talents.” Nehemiah’s talents were essential to his success and, with God’s support, made him confident he would achieve his goal.
- Vision. Nehemiah wanted to honor God and he knew that rebuilding Jerusalem’s crumbled walls was the first critical for protecting God’s house, the Temple. His vision was opposed by many in the city of Babylon, Persia’s provincial governors in Israel, many of Jerusalem’s residents, and hostile tribesmen who lived near Jerusalem. Nevertheless, he was committed to his course of action.
- Faith, Prayer and Patience. Nehemiah asked God what he should do, and he waited for His answer for four months to learn His will. Nehemiah recognized first that God’s timeline was not necessarily his own and second, that being assured of God’s favor was worth the wait. In short, Nehemiah had faith.
- Set priorities. Nehemiah wanted to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls but it’s also safe to assume he enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle and Artaxerxes’ confidence. He made a clear choice and didn’t look back. We can tell a person’s character and priorities by what he or she is willing to give up. Nehemiah gave up a lot and without worldly distractions he developed an intense singular focus on his mission.
- Truthfulness and Courage. As noted above, Nehemiah told the king why he wanted to leave his service, knowing he risked death. Nehemiah was also willing to confront Persia’s provincial governor, even throwing him out of the Temple, to stay the course.
- Practicality. Before leaving Babylon, Nehemiah asked Artaxerxes for two letters: one to provide safe passage to Jerusalem through the Persian empire and another to the king’s forester to provide wood to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. Both letters were granted.
- Planned for contingencies. Nehemiah recognized that disappointments and suffering often happen to good people (e.g., Job and Jesus). God allows difficulties to befall those He favors to test them, provide an opportunity to strengthen their faith, and to inspire others. Knowing his construction efforts were opposed by provincial Persian governors and local tribesmen required Nehemiah to anticipate problems, such as attacks. As a result, he divided his construction team into two units: one worked on the wall while the other stood guard, ready to respond to attack.
- Humility. Nehemiah’s humility allowed him to lead by example, working on rebuilding the walls alongside his team. This humility, along with his courage in speaking with the king, and willingness to face down military and political opponents, and his willingness to get his hands dirty garnered the respect of the king, those in the king’s court, and his men working on the walls. In short, Nehemiah was a genuine and authentic leader.
- Aligned actions with his vision. One might think that rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls in only 52 days would have allowed Nehemiah to rest on his laurels; however, his accomplishment did no such thing. Instead, Nehemiah entreated Jerusalem’s residents to abandon their ungodly ways and return to obedience to God. Nehemiah led a great revival among the citizens of Jerusalem upon the rebuilding of the city’s walls.
A Final Thought
Nehemiah’s principles allowed him to accomplish great things in the face of great odds. He prayed to his God, relied on His grace, and maintained his faith throughout his endeavors. Nehemiah’s example, though 25 centuries old, still have relevance for and continue to inspire each of us in our own endeavors.
