Focused Leadership

Nehemiah was a focused leader. Everything he did was around one objective: to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was gaining momentum– the wall in Jerusalem was being rebuilt. He had detractors though. These detractors, they attacked the workers physically and politically and used every once of power to hinder the rebuilding process. As a result, the people who originally bought into his vision started to waver in their resolve.

Nehemiah did not relent. He was focused on the reason for his vision: the greatness of his God who empowered him to get this far. Just read Nehemiah’s own assessment of the situation below:

After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Nehemiah 4:14 NIV

We need the resolve Nehemiah had when things in our life do not go right. Yes, we may be attacked. Yes, situations may have gotten out of hand. Yes, the issues plaguing us are out of our control. But none of things changes the fact that God created us for the life we are living is “great and awesome.”

Here are three actions we can take that will focus our leadership when God is great and awesome in our lives:

1. Stand Up

The worst thing that people who are in a place of influence or leadership can do is to stay seated and not say anything. If you are being attacked or assailed, it is time for you to stand up. Let it be known that you did not go down cowardly. Let it be known that you did not go down quietly. It’s time to fight for your vision and your beliefs.

This idea applies to our faith and to our vision. We need to stand up where our convictions are tested. Sometimes this means that we stand up for our families even when the world around us tells us it’s easier to sit down and allow your families to be torn apart.

2. Show No Fear

Jesus conquered the grave. If death cannot prevail over our Lord and Savior, why do you think anything else can? Why is fear a thought and feeling we are entertaining? This is not me saying that you fake bravery in the midst of your fear. This is me saying that your fear is not warranted and that you should not give it space to manifest itself in your acts of leadership.

So the next time you are confronted with a bad report or are being attacked, show no fear to the attackers. They are more afraid of you because you have nothing to fear. The reason they attacked you or your vision is because it changes the status quo and you should not be afraid of changing the status quo.

3. Remind People of the Why

People don’t always know why you have this vision or why you are so fueled by your vision. If people are following you, they should know why. Moreover, they should know the who behind your why.

You are called to great things, by a being even more greater than those things. The people who buy into it, should know the awesome things that he does. Testify to those things in your life. Tell the stories of God moving in your life.

Nehemiah knew that God will deliver the work if he stayed faithful to the cause. Let’s be that focused in our leadership. We cannot allow setbacks, attacks, and distractions take away from our vision. God is awesome and great. Realize that in your leadership.