Leading With Balance

Leading with Balance

John Maxwell has been writing about and teaching on the subject of leadership for many years. My library is full of his works, and my life has been enriched because of his wisdom. Maxwell is a great communicator, and one of the things that I appreciate the most about him is that he makes it easy to remember his advice. For instance, Maxwell has various leadership sayings, or proverbs. The first I recall learning was “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”

Not long thereafter I learned another one of his proverbs: “He that thinketh he leadeth, and hath no one following, is only taking a walk.” When I digested this proverb I realized that sometimes leaders take their journeys too far too fast, leaving their people behind. Nehemiah, the great rebuilder of Jerusalem, was very sensitive to this concern. Look at Nehemiah 5:15-16:

The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.

I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall.

Nehemiah was a wise leader. He knew that if he went too far too fast, he would overwhelm his people with what he was asking and seeking to accomplish. He found a way to get everything done that needed to be done without taking too much liberty in his role, and he led this way because he feared God. He walked this way for ten years.

As you lead, show care not to go too far too fast. Stay in proximity to those you lead so that you are aware of their ability and willingness to go where you feel led to go.

I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall.

Nehemiah 5:16