Nehemiah’s Leadership Playbook: Protocols

Observing Protocols

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel. – Nehemiah 3:1

Still on the meditation about the leadership lessons from Nehemiah, another insight we can tap from him is an observation of protocols. The moment the rebuilding work started the first person to lift the first stone was the high priest, Eliashib, followed by other priests who joined him in the work.

Now, Nehemiah was the national leader at this time, and he was the one that instigated the rebuild project in the first place. So, it would be expected that he laid the ceremonial stone to kickstart the project, or commission it in contemporary terms. However, he was wise enough to concede this honor to the high priest and was content to play a secondary role at this all-important event. Having the priests commenced the work was significant indeed and was an acknowledgement on the part of Nehemiah that the project was not just any other initiative but one with a spiritual undertone.

The priests were the intermediaries between God and humans and having them kicked off the rebuild is committing the entire project to God, consecrating the work and inviting God to be part of it. That was a very wise move on the part of Nehemiah. In his shoes, many a leader would have wanted to be seen laying the first stone amidst pomp and pageantry. They would want the press and everyone to know that they were the initiator of the project and the extent they went to get it underway. Not Nehemiah.

He understood the importance of protocols beyond the surface value and rightly invited the high priest and the other priests to go first, as they were the emissaries of God and by so doing inviting the blessing of God upon the herculean project they had in hand.

Another important lesson we can learn from Nehemiah on protocols was the choice of gate they started with. The Bible says they started with the Sheep Gate. This was a important move because that was the gate through which sacrifices were brought to the temple and offered to God. By having that gate erected first, Nehemiah demonstrated an understanding of spiritual protocol because having the gate in place meant that service to God would be restored and the people can start bringing in their offerings even while the project was going on.

By making this important gate the top priority and having it consecrated, Nehemiah established connection with God for the people and the land, so they had God for company all through the journey.

A smart leader understands the importance of the divine in every endeavor and would ensure that spiritual protocols are prioritized in order to guarantee the success and sustainability of his projects. If you are in leadership, it is not too late to reorder your priorities, and if you ascend a position of leadership, now you know what to do.

You Will Succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

• Nehemiah’s Leadership Playbook: Dealing with Haters
• I Loved Studying Math I Needed God to Show Me Why
• Don’t Act Like An Elephant!