Creating an ImpactSample

Lead from the Front

The study of Nehemiah is a great study in leadership. Some of the principles/nuggets are:

The source for great leadership is DIVINE DIRECTION AND INSPIRATION − Nehemiah responded to what burdened God. He received clarity of what needed to be done through prayer and went ahead by dependence on God.

He ASSESSED THE SITUATION on his own and not on the basis of the opinions of others. He developed a firsthand insight through personal observation.

Till the right time, he KEPT HIS CARDS CLOSE TO HIS CHEST. Till the right time, hold on to what God has instructed you to act on.

Nehemiah CAST THE VISION for the people to buy into. The vision was not an ‘I’ vision but a ‘we’ vision. This project was not about Nehemiah, but about Jerusalem. It was about the people moving away from a state of disgrace to a state of honor. It is amazing that until the time Nehemiah cast the vision, the people did not recognize the intensity of the problem or understood that they could be part of the solution.

Nehemiah had A PLAN AND A PROCESS to execute the plan − a great and compelling vision without a plan is nothing but wishful thinking and daydreaming. Leaders cast a vision, but more importantly, communicate how it can be achieved.

He BROKE BARRIERS of status, net worth, and social standing − everyone built shoulder to shoulder irrespective of his occupation − priest, perfumer, head of a tribe, merchant, etc. Everyone was aligned to the common goal.

He DID NOT LET HIMSELF BE DISTRACTED by either the criticism or the threats of his adversaries − his antidote to criticism, cynicism, and threats was his dependence on God. He always took it to God.

Nehemiah, with God’s help, did the impossible. He created a giant impact by building the wall in a record time of 52 days, although surrounded by enemies on every side − Samaritans, Amorites, Arabs, and Philistines. This was no ordinary wall; it was 4018 meters long, 12 meters tall (39.3 ft) and 2.5 meters thick (8.2 ft). Incredible, isn’t it!

Dear Lord, help me be a good leader like Nehemiah and to successfully complete the work entrusted to me. Amen