Leadership Based on Biblical Principles - 10 Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah
88What Makes Us Follow?
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.
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Give thanks to the God can really make you a good leader coz God is the best leader! Blessings!
THIS VERY GOOD AS A LEADER I HAVE LEARNT A LOT FROM YOUR INSIGHT MAY GOD HELP YOU I THINK AM GOING TO BE A GOOD AND EFFECTIVE LEADER TO
GOD BLESS
THIS VERY GOOD AS A LEADER I HAVE LEARNT A LOT FROM YOUR INSIGHT MAY GOD HELP YOU I THINK AM GOING TO BE A GOOD AND EFFECTIVE LEADER TO
GOD BLESS
I have preached from Nehemiah on several occasions,but had not realized until now how much it could be used to teach a class on leadership. Thank you ever so much for your insight.
Dear C. E., Thank you for your encouraging comments; I appreciate them very much.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! YOU HAVE DONE INTENSIVE WORK TO DIFINE THE QUALIFICATIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF THE EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADER. THIS IS VERY GOOD, PROBABLY YOU ARE GOING TO BE THE GOOD LEADER AS NEHEMIAH. THANKS FOR BLESSINGS
Good Job!
Journey2244, Thanks! I hope it made sense and spurs others on to be better leaders.
great hub... very informative. thanks for sharing...
I have studied Nehemiah before and eventually share it to the youth group... Thank you for giving another perspective on Nehemiah. Great job! To God be the glory
Christian business ethics are so important in a world that is so far from biblical principles. They say good business leaders need vision, then of course God is the greatest visionary of all :)
Truly, much can be learned from Nehemiah Leadership qualities.
Though can be extracted from the 10 points well narrated, the following lessons of effective leadership from him can stand on their own:-
1. Use of opportunities and resources available for a good course of serving the community.
Ref. As a trusted confidant of the King, he gets permission, protection and some building materials to start with from the King.
2. Division of labour (whenever possible in accordance to skills & knowledge)
Ref. How different people were assigned pieces of work in rebuilding the wall and gates; ie. Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep! Gate
Dear Musato wa-Chirangi, Thank you for taking the time to read my hub. I deeply appreciate your comments. Your observations and insights on Nehemiah are excellent and should be added to my 10 points. Thank you again.
Hello Ecoggins,
The ten principles presented may even be applied to the secular job. As a Christian leader, in a secular job, I found the principles highlighted to be informative, applicable and enriching; and would like to share the principles with my colleagues.
Thanks for sharing. Your ideas came at a time when I was searching for information on the authentic leader.
Dear Erica, thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I agree that these principles can be applied to a secular workplace and it would be an honor to have you share them with others. Of course, I give the credit to God and the author of Nehemiah in the Bible. Warmly, Eric
Great stuff and full of Godly wisdom.
It's really great, thanks for sharing how to be a good leader. God be with you always...
Enjoyed reading your insights on good leadership. They can be used by anyone in a leadership position. Good job!
Great lessons from a great leader.
I am so glad that you are sharing your knowledge with us..Bless you...
I am truly greatful that I found your hub . The information is full of great thought and directions for living a fuller life. Thanks May all your dreams come true. Sharon Dix Jesus needs you
I am going to be a well informed decision maker with this Christ oriented piece.
am a youth leader battling with commitment from both sides and i strongly believe the application of this information will help .
God bless you.
George, thank you for your kind words. I am glad this piece was an encouragment to you. And I pray the Holy Spirit will help you build commitment in your youth group.
these are very good qualifications of the Good leader. So I will be using this qualifications to help other people in the groups or individualy.
Mr. Tobotobo, I appreciate your comments. They are a great encouragement to me. I praise God that you find the principles useful and will use them to help other people learn about leadership.
excellent formula about godly leadership.useful and effective.God bless
wonderful presentation oh lord make me a leader just/better than nehemiah.
Thats a very Informative piece of work on Leadership, I have learnt a lot and i am going to intergrate the principles in my leadership role. God bless you.
Thank you Martin for your encouraging comments. I praise God that you found this article helpful to you. I pray the best to you in everything.
I am studing the book of Nehemiah,I found your comments to be real and should be applied to real life experiences. Just great
God Bless
Thanks for that wonderful piece of work in your presentation. You have brought out some good biblical principles that every leader need to know if he wants to lead especially the last one reminding us that God is the ultimate leader and He must be praised!
God Bless you!
Dear paul and Gladwin Matthews. Thank you both for your very encouraging words. I thank the Lord that you both were blessed by this article. I pray that each one of you will grow to be a leader like Nehemiah. God bless each of you as well.
DeBorrah K. Ogans Level 7 Commenter 2 years ago
Ecoggins, This is an excellent informative hub! These are definitely some quality leadership principles to be learned from Nehemiah! Very good presentation! God job! Thank you for sharing! Blessings!