Nehemiah’s Leadership Playbook: Advocacy

Advocacy

And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes… that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore, the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” So I became dreadfully afraid, and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?” Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” – Nehemiah 2:1-5

Another principle we learn from Nehemiah’s leadership playbook is advocacy. We had earlier meditated on how he had such a great burden for people, his compatriots in the land of Judah, which spurred him into action to do something to improve their welfare. As a slave himself in the kingdom of Persia, he was limited in what he could do to reduce the sufferings of his people and rebuild the ruins of his native land.

However, his disadvantaged status did not deter him from putting up a mini mutiny of sorts as he wore a frown before king Artaxerxes, whom he was serving wine. It is important to note that Nehemiah was not given to wearing a long face, this was his first time as even the king himself admitted. His demeanor could also have landed him in trouble or even result in his expulsion or, worse, death. But Nehemiah’s obsession about the welfare of his people ensured that he was past caring to think about himself or his own personal safety. To him, the people were all that matters.

Thankfully, king Artaxerxes also became concerned as to what could be troubling one of his most trusted aides to ask him what was on his mind, and this presented Nehemiah the opportunity he needed to advocate for an improved condition for his country people and the land of his fathers in faraway Jerusalem. He also articulated his request so well that his principal was more than willing to grant him all of his wishes.

A good leader must be versed in the art of advocacy because leadership is hierarchical, and stakes are in tiers. Therefore, to get to support from people with different stakes and other persons with authority, a leader must be able to get them as many of them onboard using both advocacy and diplomatic skills in order to accomplish his goals of improving outcomes for his people.

This is another unique leadership lesson Nehemiah taught us and which you as an existing or aspiring leader must do well to imbibe.

You will Succeed in Jesus Name!

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