Page 113 - Principles of Leadership - Nehemiah

This is why Nehemiah was so successful; he captured and communicated God’s goal for a more desirable future
for Israel. The people on a team will sacrifice and work together only if they can see what they’re working
toward. Leaders must realize that the players are everything when building a successful team. But only when
players come together and give up their agendas can a team move up to a higher level. This is why everyone on
the team must realize that the goal is more important than the role. You serve the team more quickly when you
see the big picture correctly. What goal in your life is bigger than you are? Begin to foster a team mindset by
modeling a willingness to serve the big picture rather than yourself.

#3 The Law Of The Niche: All Players Have a Place Where They Add the Most Value

I have found that people are put in leadership positions in most churches because there is a need. A sign of a
great team leader is the proper placement of people. Therefore, leaders need to make sure that they place
people in positions where they add the most value to an organization, not in places of need. To help people
reach their potential and maximize their effectiveness, stretch them out of their comfort zones, but never out
of their gift zones. Moving people outside their comfort zone leads to frustration, but motivating people out of
their comfort zone leads to fulfillment. When people aren’t where they do things well, things don’t turn out
well. That’s the Law of the Niche.

#4 The Law Of Mount Everest: As The Challenge Escalates, The Need For Teamwork Elevates
Because challenges escalate, the need for teamwork elevates. Therefore, no one should underestimate the
difficulty of climbing any mountain. Most leaders mistake of focusing too much on the dream, and little
attention is given to the team they have assembled to conquer it. If you build the right team, the dream will
almost take care of itself. Remember that an unwillingness to remove team members will affect the team's
performance. This leads us to the next law.

#5 The Law of the Chain: The Strength Of The Team Is Impacted By Its Weakest Link
Suppose you are a team leader. You cannot avoid dealing with weak links. Anytime a leader allows weak links to
remain on the team, it will discourage other team members, and they will have to compensate for the weak
link. If your team has a weak link who will not rise to the level of the team, and you have done everything you
can to help the person improve, and they don’t, you must take action. A team cannot continue to cover up its
weaknesses. Nehemiah refused to put up with weak links and was willing to confront these issues.

#6 The Law Of The Catalyst: Winning Teams Have Players Who Make Things Happen
Catalysts are get-it-done-and-then-some people. A team cannot reach big goals or even break new ground if it
doesn’t have a catalyst.
• Catalyst senses things that others don’t sense. They may recognize weaknesses that most people miss.
• Catalyst says things that other team members don’t say to get the team moving.
• Catalyst feels things that others don’t feel. There is a passion about them.
• Catalysts are willing to carry things that others do not carry. Their motto is, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.”
• Catalysts seem to have a higher degree of influence that allows them to lead their teammates.

#7 The Law Of The Compass: Vision Gives Team Members Direction and Confidence
Great vision precedes great achievement. Every team needs a compelling vision to give it direction. A team
without vision is, at worst, purposeless. On the other hand, a team that embraces a vision becomes focused,
energized, and confident. It knows where it’s headed and why it’s going there. Leaders must be vision casters.
And always remember that vision without a strategy is little more than a daydream. Nehemiah was a master at
both.

#8 The Law Of The Bad Apple: Rotten Attitudes Ruin a Team

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