The Trademarks of God's Leaders - Nehemiah a Motivator, Not a Manipulator

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

Today we continue our series on the leadership qualities of Nehemiah and his skill as a masterful motivator.

In our last episode I observed that Leaders inspire their followers to a common goal and motivate people to do things they wouldn’t normally choose to do on their own. This was certainly the situation as the Jerusalem walls were being rebuilt. Recall with me that priests, goldsmiths, perfumers and men and their daughters worked diligently.

Such are the results when followers are properly motivated. This can be contrasted with the flawed approach of trying to manipulate people. Leadership expert John Maxwell says that “When I manipulate people, I move them for my personal advantage. When I motivate people, I move them for their personal advantage.” Another author wisely observed, “when you motivate a person, you are laying the foundations for them to be inspired from within.”

As servant leaders, let us motivate our followers and avoid trying to manipulate them. Followers see through attempts to manipulate, and this often results in resistance and resentment.

Nehemiah’s ability to motivate the people helped them to remain focused upon the task.

Chapter 4 recounts the verbal attacks from Sanballat and others. There was also grumbling within. We read about this in verses 10 and 11. “Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” [This is grumbling from

within.]

Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” (this is verbal attacks from without)

In the midst of this potential discouragement, Nehemiah once again demonstrates good and godly leadership for he points his followers toward the Lord.

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.” (4:14a) You likely know the outcome of this story. Moving ahead to chapter 6, verse 15 tells us “So the wall was completed … in fifty-two days.” It was a remarkable achievement!

Nehemiah:

 Motivated the people

 Did not attempt to manipulate them

 Pointed the people to the One who was the Source of their strength

Be like Nehemiah; motivate – don’t try to manipulate - those whom you lead.