Nehemiah: Builder of Teams

The Book of Nehemiah offers a powerful story of leadership and community restoration. Nehemiah, a lowly cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, is burdened by the news of Jerusalem's broken walls and the despair of its people (Nehemiah 1:3). With the king's approval, Nehemiah embarks on a daunting mission: to rebuild the city's defenses and revitalize the community.

Nehemiah's success wasn't due to his own strength but his ability to organize and inspire a team.

Here is how Nehemiah approached the task:

1. Shared Vision and Ownership (Nehemiah 2:17-18)

Nehemiah didn't begin by dictating orders. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he was a nobody who had the support of the king. Instead, he shared the vision with the people: "Let us rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and end this reproach" (Nehemiah 2:17). This ignited a sense of ownership and purpose. Leaders must clearly articulate the team's goal and ensure everyone understands how their contribution fits the bigger picture.

2. Leverage Strengths and Delegate Tasks (Nehemiah 3)

Chapter 3 of Nehemiah meticulously details which families and leaders were responsible for rebuilding specific wall sections, including Nehemiah calling out one family who didn’t help at all.  This demonstrates Nehemiah's understanding of individual strengths and his strategic delegation of tasks. Leaders should identify their team's unique skills and talents and assign roles accordingly. And, every time the strategy changes, we must reorganize and reassign workers to support the new strategies. Structure follows strategy.

3. Lead by Example and Encourage Collaboration (Nehemiah 4:14)

Faced with opposition, Nehemiah didn't retreat to his corner office. The scripture states, "I armed the priests, Levites and the officials, along with all the people—each with one hand working and the other holding a weapon" (Nehemiah 4:14). Nehemiah set the example by working alongside his team, fostering a spirit of collaboration and resilience. He knew precisely how the work was going and what barriers the workers were encountering because he was there.

People are motivated by the potential to make a difference in their lives and those around them. Leaders can build strong, motivated teams by sharing a motivating vision, organizing the work around skills, and staying close to the workers. Shared vision, strategic delegation, and leading by example create an environment where individuals can contribute their best and achieve goals together. Build your wall.