A visionary leader casts the vision, obtains the buy-in of key people, and garners the support of a following, but it’s not until afterwards that the hard work of making creative adjustments begins. To bring the vision into reality and keep the momentum going, constant evaluations and adjustments are necessary. The vision, buy-in, and support are important, but without creativity and change the whole effort might tank or at least become fruitless, like beating a dead horse. Creative leadership is a must for continued progress.

An ordinary man named Nehemiah showed awesome leadership skills. His leadership began with a passion and brokenness over the state of disrepair and neglect of his native land, Jerusalem. A vision of Jerusalem’s repair began forming. When the king asked about his downcast demeanor, Nehemiah took advantage of the opportunity to persuade the king, an obvious key person, with his vision and plan. After gaining the king’s support and upon entering Jerusalem, he obtained the buy-in of its key leaders followed by the support and following of the whole community. For an ordinary person Nehemiah began his leadership well.

Good leaders make the most of starting out great while remaining open and creative to make necessary changes. Well thought out modifications keep the momentum headed towards success. When things don’t go smoothly, which happens, a good leader has to make adjustments. He must be willing to change methods, be creative and proactive in the face of challenges, and continually inspiring to his followers.

Nehemiah fulfilled this need for creative leadership.

I want to be a creative leader too. So I asked God, “What are the creative adjustments I need to make?”

Still struggling with the “answer” to that question, I wonder if you’re seeking to be a creative leader as well. Do you feel like you’ve hit a wall, making no progress, or needing a creative improvement? What changes are you willing to make? How has God led you to adjust your approach?

What is your experience with the creative need in leadership?

Perspective – You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. ~Joseph

It will happen. Bad things happen to good people all the time. What is our perspective on the bad things happening to us? If we have enemies, backstabbers, and nay-sayers, we can say to them, "Beware. Good will come." It’s a matter of perspective.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” (Gen. 50:20, NLT).

Amazing leadership gets complete buy-in and financial backing from their enemies. I’d love to know how to change my circumstances, my enemies, and my world. Ezra, a student of the Law of Moses, demonstrates such awesome leadership that powerful leaders, kings, and even his historical enemies became his servants. His example gives leaders an application.

He [Ezra] came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him.  …[He prospered in his work quickly], for the gracious hand of his God was on him. This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations…(Ezra 7:6-10, NLT)

Ezra was determined. He had a focus, a passion, a mission. He resolved how he would live and what he would pursue. Good leaders know where they are going and what they want to do. They are not easily deterred from their path. It’s obvious a good leader can go in a bad direction, but Ezra focused on a wise pursuit, which made his efforts successful.

S.O.S. Flag

Ezra’s determined path proved both wise and successful because it included God. He decided to consistently study and obey God’s word, and boldly show others what he learned. But shouldn’t he focus on planning, organizing, vision casting, recruiting, budgeting, and the like? Isn’t Ezra’s direction too simplified and off target? The discipline to study, obey, and share God’s word gives bearing and muscle to the tasks of good management. Ezra’s S.O.S. delivers the wisdom and guidance that best practices give good leadership.

The S.O.S. of Wise Leadership:

• Study: Seek God and study his word to know how to live.
• Obey: Obey his word and the Spirit’s promptings to know where to go and what to do.
• Share: Share what we’ve learned and how to implement it, or the temptation takes over to become legalistic and snobbish about what we know and do. It helps to remember what we were like without knowledge or obedience.

Whether in a position of ministry or business leadership, the results of following Ezra’s practices are the same. Our worst enemies may become our best supporters when we determine to study, obey, and share. Like Ezra, God’s gracious hand will rest on us.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Things aren’t always rosy and cheery, BUT things can always be good in God. It’s a perspective. A matter of where you place your hope, of what to surrender and to whom. If everything fails, God will not.