Leading from Within: Nehemiah’s Example of Leadership

Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.'” – Nehemiah 2:17

One of the most striking aspects of Nehemiah’s leadership is that he didn’t approach the people of Jerusalem as if he were there to solve their problem. He didn’t stand apart, pointing fingers or blaming anyone for the broken walls and burned gates. Instead, Nehemiah included himself in the problem, saying, “the trouble we are in.” He took ownership of the situation, even though he came from a place of comfort and high position. This kind of leadership—identifying with the people you are leading—remains a powerful lesson today.

Too often, leaders distance themselves from the very people they are called to help, adopting a position of superiority. Nehemiah could have easily done that; he had the king’s support, military backing, and resources. Yet, he chose to identify with the people and their struggle. By doing so, he showed a deep sense of humility and connection, qualities that made the people willing to follow him and join in the work of rebuilding.

Another important lesson from Nehemiah is that he didn’t waste time assigning blame. It would have been easy to point fingers at the local leaders of Jerusalem and question why the city was in such disrepair. But rather than focusing on who was at fault, Nehemiah focused on how they could solve the problem together. This is a powerful reminder for us, especially when working in teams or leading others. Blaming and criticising doesn’t move us forward; working together does.

Leadership, as modelled by Nehemiah, requires us to get involved in the lives of those we lead, to feel their pain, and to stand with them in times of distress. It’s not about having all the answers or fixing things from the outside. It’s about rolling up our sleeves, standing in solidarity with those we serve, and moving forward together. This is the kind of leadership that brings about real change—both in Nehemiah’s time and today.

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