Are you in a moment when momentum is waning? (119-1)

We have all watched sporting events where one team could not get a break. The outcome seemed sure. All the momentum was working for one team when something happens – a mistake by the team with all the momentum or a super effort by one of the players on the downtrodden team and momentum swings and the impossible happens; the sure winner loses. Momentum is a leader’s best friend. Momentum is critical for success. When a leader has momentum with their team they may even appear to be better than they really are. Momentum can’t be taken for granted and when it slips the wise leader takes action to get it back. Read Nehemiah 4:7-20.

Nehemiah was enjoying great success in the Jerusalem wall building project. The people bought into Nehemiah’s leadership. They saw the vision, acted with unity and were moving quickly to build a wall around the city. The people in Jerusalem were enjoying great success and they had forward momentum to finish the project when some of the region’s men, who had control before Nehemiah showed up, made their move. These were high-powered, non-Jewish officials who had influence, wealth and military power.

Nehemiah saw his momentum grind to a halt when his opponents ridiculed and mocked the project. Workers became discouraged. Complaints started. There was a real danger that the project could come to a complete stop and restarting a failed project takes more than twice the energy to start than the initial effort. Nehemiah saw the danger they were in and he sought God’s wisdom. Leaders can learn from the steps Nehemiah used to regain momentum:

• He listened to his team to find out the exact issues he was facing (vv 8, 10-12). To regain momentum a leader needs to accurately analyze what is being viewed as true by the team and what is stealing their emotional energy.
• He formulated a temporary plan (v. 9 and 13). Knowledgeable leaders develop a visible short-term or stop-gap plan to stop the downward slide and give a team some hope. At this point it does not need to be a permanent “fix” or a totally new strategy but a plan that has the potential to change direction.
• He gave encouragement by reminding the team of the vision and how it benefited them (v. 14). Wise leaders help their team to refocus on the original vision to overcome the discouragement that sweeps a team and causes momentum loss.
• He provided his team with a new strategy for victory (v. 16). Wise leaders develop and implement plan “B” before the team totally loses heart. They “do” something to create new forward momentum.
• He rallied the people to support each other (vv 19-20). Effective leaders know that teamwork and unity is critical to restoring momentum.

Are you in a moment when momentum is waning? Are you actively seeking accurate information from your team concerning their “take” on the problem? Do you have a plan “B” or even a temporary plan to reverse the slide of momentum? Effective leaders find a starting point to swing momentum back toward the positive.