Working in harmony - leaders

Not to plow again the furrows we've already worked on, but just a reminder that we are studying leadership skills because each of us is a leader in some way . . .

The next skill I saw Nehemiah exemplify was that he was good at delegating. We hear that word a lot in the business world . . . Merriam Webster says it means, "to entrust to another." Could be a task, could be authority. Nehemiah could not possibly have done all this work by himself. He couldn't build the entire wall! He had to entrust it to the workers and give them the authority to get it done. I'm reminded of a quote by President Reagan:

              Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate
              authority, and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided
              upon is being carried out.      (Ronald Reagan)

Sometimes, to be honest, it's easier to do the job myself. Been there? Me too; in fact, it has happened so many times that I even have the t-shirt! (Grin)  But I must admit, that as the job gets larger, the need to delegate to others gets larger, too!
Now, some leaders want to keep an eye on every aspect of the project -- I kinda think that is a recipe for burnout. As believers, we know that God has given gifts to all of His people. They are each competent to carry out a portion of His work.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:10-11)

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8)

By delegating, leaders can involve more people in the project and get more done.
Now, delegating doesn't mean that we walk away and don't pay attention! Leaders don't just dictate and leave. They don't dump a task on someone and never look back or offer to help. There's a fine line here . . .while Nehemiah delegated the work, it appears that he went along inspecting the progress, talking to the workers, and helping them keep things moving toward the goal. Look at verse twenty of chapter three:

Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest.  (Nehemiah 3:20)

It appears that Baruch was enthusiastic and that he was doing a great job!  Nehemiah paid attention to who was working and how they were working, too.
It's important, too, for leaders to stay focused -- not get distracted by those who are not cooperating. Nehemiah mentions (just in passing, no judgmental comments seen, no disapproving stares) the nobles of Tekoa who refused to join the project. We're not told why they refused, whether they reacted out of petty pride, or whether they had some beef with the next builder along the wall, or whatever. I'm betting they were plenty embarrassed (and they deserved it) when the people of Tekoa not only bent their shoulders to the work, but built TWO sections of the wall! Nehemiah didn't waste any more time on the nobles who refused to cooperate. Instead, he worked with the ones who were willing and enthusiastic about the building - those who wouldn't get involved were the losers in the long term.

Working in harmony is easier when we are all on the same page -- and when we have willing, godly leaders. We'll pick up our study in chapter three again next week . . . .