A Sturdy Wall

Needing a little time to think and see for himself, he snagged a few close friends, hopped on his donkey, and in the middle of the night, he secretly walked around and checked things out.

"So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark, I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal's Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates." (Nehemiah 2: 11-13)

Nehemiah knew two very important leadership principles.

First, like the old Russian proverb, "Trust but verify". You have to see things for yourself. As a leader, when we simply take other people's word as truth or fly so high we can't see the ground, bad decisions can be made. People tell you what they want you to hear, what makes them look good, and serves their interests. If you want to know what is really going on, walk around the rubble and see for yourself.

Second, you need to get away and take time to think. Nehemiah needed time alone to just get his head right for what was to come. One of the best things you can do for your own sanity and productivity is to get up and take a walk. Breathe some air, see the sun, move for body, turn off the noise. When the noise is turned down, we can hear the music and settle our minds. That opens up your ability to creatively think and get focused.

You might not be trying to save a city in dire straits, but your kingdom needs a capable leader. Trust but verify. See things for yourself.

Don't create a plan based on other people's version of the story or emotion.

Take the time to collect the facts. Get alone to think. Take a walk every now and then to clear your head and listen to the music. Trust me, the people around you want you to. You need a sturdy mind to build a sturdy wall.