How to motivate the defeated

How to motivate the defeated
S - Neh 2:11-12, 17-18 (KJV)

11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. 12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
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17-18

Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. 18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

O - So here we are in chapter 2 and Nehemiah has made the journey back to Jerusalem with King Artaxerxes' blessing for the journey and even more than that with his pledged support. We see here though that despite God's vision and the King's support, he came at first humbly (they walked, only him on a mule, and not in a big caravan proclaiming his mission, and showing the King's decree's. He first just observed the condition of Jerusalem and it's wall's. After three days of observation Nehemiah began his mission work to rebuild the walls not by proclaiming the BHAG of a goal he had, but rather building the spirit of the workforce which had been in a defeated state for many years. He then shared where the strength to rebuild was coming from, from the hand of God, and the decree of the King.

A - The application is evident and applicable to any leader who has been faced with the task of leading a defeated team to victory. Often times we face tasks in grim periods of darkness and are called as leaders to bring light and hope to a workforce that is defeated (at least mentally, physically, and perhaps spiritually). Nehemiah gives us to major examples of how to approach this type of situation:

1. Approach humbly and observe - When faced with a task of leading a team from defeat to victory, or heading into a potentially hostile environment it is important to approach humbly. Even if you come with great backing (senior leadership or positional title) approach as a humble servant and just observe the physical conditions of the project, and the state of the people. Approaching in this manner will ensure you get a true picture of the state of things. If one shows up and announces oneself as the savior of the project or the with the support of senior leadership, you are likely to not get a true picture of things, when you approach people will change how they are acting and will not share what there deepest concerns and assessments are for the current state of things.

2. Present the team with where you strength comes from - The transition to this second principle needs to be a subtle one and presented in a humble and relational way. As a leader I should follow Nehemiah's example and when given a vision or mission from God, solicit the support of the leaders I have found favor with. When approaching the team it is important not to decree your mission and then go seeking support outside because the team's confidence is not easily built on your promises alone. We must as leaders build support of senior leadership, during the times we are observing, and when it comes time to lead the team in a new direction, proclaim where our strength and support come from to carry out what will feel like the team to be an impossible task. Nehemiah examples this well as he saves it toward the end of his speech to the people, that God's hand is on this, and the support of King Artaxerxes is with him. The result, the people were greatly encouraged, and began reading themselves for the work ahead.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your lessons through Nehemiah in your ways to lead teams and manage projects. Thank you for your continued mentoring and encouragement to continue to grow in these area's. I pray Lord, that you would help me to maintain this perspective when leading, to humbly approach and observe, to gain support of senior leaders, and then to lead your people to do your good work. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.