Are you a systems thinker? (117-4)

When analyzing complex problems effective leaders see interrelationships, patterns and implications from the order of their actions rather than just a static picture. Read Nehemiah 2:1-9.

Nehemiah had prayed and fasted over the “Jerusalem situation” since he had heard about the walls lying in rubble and the people living in disgrace at the mercy of every marauding group but Nehemiah faced some complex problems if he were to be part of rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. Nehemiah had to find a way to gain the king’s approval to leave his government job as cupbearer. Nehemiah had to consider where he would get the resources to rebuild the city gates; he had to find a way to be protected from the enemies in Judah that did not want Jerusalem to have walls; and Nehemiah had to figure out how to motivate the discouraged people living in and around Jerusalem.

The process of gathering information, formulating a plan that takes into consideration all the problems that need to be solved, and creating a structure and organization to fulfill the needs is called system thinking. Nehemiah’s ability to solve complex problems grew out of his manner of seeing the problems as a system’s thinker. Nehemiah was able to identify most of the problems he would face and draw out the lines on each of his actions to see how that action would interrelate and interconnect with other future actions.

Nehemiah was able to see both the problem and the solutions on the “wall project” even though he had never visited Jerusalem. Nehemiah was ready with a well thought out answer concerning his needs when King Artaxerxes opened the door for a conversation about Nehemiah’s discouraged countenance. He was able to communicate to the king the interconnectedness of the tasks and the structure that underlay the whole process. When Artaxerxes grasped the complexity of the situation and understood the actions needed he saw Nehemiah’s vision and granted his requests.

Effective leaders have discovered that tasks are best accomplished and goals best achieved by organizing and implementing systems. In doing so, we are really imitating God, who shows His passion for order and harmony in creation.