Leadership 101: Part 3
“The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.” Nehemiah 3:14
Context:
You might be tempted to skim over Chapter 3 because it merely lists names of the people who worked on rebuilding the wall. But if you read it carefully, the chapter illustrates a number of important leadership principles.
Leadership Lessons:
A leader delegates responsibility.
- Nehemiah assigned various sections of the project to specific people, and gave them responsibility for completing their work.
- Someone once said that leadership could be summed up by the four “D’s” – decide, delay, do or delegate.
A leader gives the credit to others.
- Not once does Nehemiah mention himself in this chapter; instead he lists over 30 people by name and identifies the work they completed. He also lists 15 groups of people who participated in the effort.
- Give credit where credit is due. A wise leader credits others for the accomplishment of a task, and assumes responsibility when things go wrong.
A leader makes the work meaningful.
- Nehemiah assigned people to rebuild the wall next to their homes. This ensured that the quality of their work would be exceptional.
- Make sure people know why the work is so important, and how their contributions are critical.
A leader involves everyone.
- Every social class rebuilt the wall – the priests, Levites, rulers, goldsmiths, perfume-makers, merchants, temple servants, guards, and women.
- Every single member of your team must be included in the work.
A leader sets the example.
- A number of “rulers” worked to rebuild the wall. My favorite is Malkijah son of Recab, ruler of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt the Dung Gate, so called because human and material waste was hauled out through it for disposal. Now that’s servant leadership!
- People admire a leader who works side-by-side with them to finish the job.
Prayer:
“Lord, Your Word is timeless and true. Even in a chapter like this one, filled with names, You include important leadership lessons. Thank You. Amen.”
© 2013 Designed to Serve®
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
