Leadership

Effective Leadership Begins with a Passion

The first leadership principle displayed by Nehemiah was a deep passion for his God, his people, and his homeland. He heard of the destruction of the wall in Jerusalem and became overwhelmed with grief for the disgrace of God and his countrymen. This grief ignited a passion within Nehemiah to ask permission from his master to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall of the city.
Top Level Management Evaluates a Situation Before Acting

The second leadership principle shown by Nehemiah was that an effective leader evaluates a situation before acting. Nehemiah had received permission from his master to return to Jerusalem. When he arrived the first thing he did was to quietly take a private tour around the city wall to assess the damage and formulate a plan for rebuilding it.

Effective Leadership Formulates a Plan and Implements It

The third leadership principle demonstrated in the life of Nehemiah was that a top level leader formulates a plan before starting the work. Nehemiah did not simply assess the problem; he devised a plan of attack to accomplish the task.
Top Level Management Enlists Others to Fulfill the Vision

The fourth leadership principle displayed by Nehemiah was that
effective leaders recruit and delegate responsibility to others. After Nehemiah had assessed the situation and formulated a plan of attack, he shared his plan with others and allowed them to help him with the work. Effective managers realize their need for others and that it takes many hands to accomplish a great task.

Effective Leadership Demonstrates Courage in the Face of Opposition

The fifth leadership principle shown by Nehemiah was that top level managers are not afraid to stand up to intense opposition. After the Israelites had begun rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, some opposition arose from other occupants within the Palestine area. Nehemiah remained steadfast and courageous and rallied his people to continue the work.
Top Level Management Inspires Camaraderie amongst the People

The sixth leadership principle shown by Nehemiah was that
effective leaders inspire camaraderie among his people.
As mentioned above, Nehemiah led his people in the face of intense opposition; yet, by his leadership, the people did not run away, but continued the work until it was finished. They worked together with one person rebuilding his section of the wall, while his partner stood guard to protect him from attack.

Effective Leadership Shares the Wealth with His Constituency

Another leadership tenet displayed by Nehemiah was that top level managers share the rewards of success with their people.
Effective leaders are kind and generous.
Nehemiah demonstrated this trait by standing up for the poor against extortion and inviting large parties of people to eat at his table each meal.
Top Level Management Stands Fast on Core Values

The eighth leadership principle demonstrated by Nehemiah was that
effective leaders stand fast on core values.
After the wall had been rebuilt, the Israelite people began to do things that were not pleasing to God. Nehemiah was deeply upset by this and called his people to account.

Effective Biblical Leaders Establish All Operations on the Word of God

A ninth leadership principle shown by Nehemiah was that top level managers establish all operations on the Word of God. God is the central figure of all that Nehemiah did. When he first heard about the desolation of the wall in Jerusalem, he called on God. When he encountered opposition from other ethnic groups, he prayed for God's protection. After the wall was rebuilt, Nehemiah called for Ezra the priest to open the Book of the Law and read from it.
Top Level Biblical Management Gives Thanksgiving to God in Everything

Finally, a tenth leadership principle displayed by Nehemiah was that

effective biblical leaders give praise and thanksgiving to God for all things.

After Ezra the priest read from the Book of the Law, Nehemiah called on the Levites who were set apart as priests to God to stand up and praise the Lord for all He had done to help them succeed in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.