Operation Rebuilding concerning the reconstruction and repairing of the walls of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah could have turned out to be one great story of failure in the history of leadership because of several factors:

• The walls were left in ruins for over a century since the first return under Zerubbabel.
• His predecessors failed to complete rebuilding the walls (cf.  Ezra 4:21 "Therefore    issue an order [from the king] that these people be made to cease, and that this city not be rebuilt, until I make a decree" where Ezra was told to stop rebuilding the city).  
• The people were discouraged and demoralized.
• There was no construction company to back Nehemiah up.
• His enemies were trying everything and, in every way, to stop the rebuilding project   each step of the way.
• He faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles and problems - external opposition and    internal strife.
• Unfounded accusation was made against him like slanders, sarcasm and even death     threat was made against his life. 

In light of the enemies' effort to stop the reconstruction through their use of verbal sarcasms, serious threats like slanders, treachery, dangerous ambushes, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles and problems, he could and should have quit. But he chose to stay on and focus on completing the rebuilding project. Under his leadership, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in 52 days Even Nehemiah's enemies conceded that the effort was the work of God (6:15-16). The people were (re)instructed in the Law. Look at his accomplishments which he did through inspiration, instruction, perspiration and influence.  

Not only did he rebuild the wall of the city in eight weeks, but over a period of his governorship, thirteen years, he changed the whole face of the nation. He augmented the population of the city (Neh 11:11). He restored temple worship and the Supremacy of the Word of God. He ended oppressive money lending and redeemed large numbers of slaves. He stopped marriages with Gentiles and enforced strict Sabbath observance (Sanders 1989: 125).     

What was the secret of his accomplishment concerning operation rebuilding? A close reading of the book of Nehemiah gives us a winning formula.

（picture from the Internet）

CONVICTION.  It is universally recognised that in any successful endeavour, a leader must have conviction if he or she wants to be successful. That conviction must lead to action. "What we think or what we believe is, in the end of little consequence. The only thing of consequence is what we do" (John Ruskin). What is conviction?  It is commonly defined as  a "strongly held belief -an unshakable belief in something without the need for proof".  Words related to  conviction are - a steadfast faith, a settled belief, an unshaken confidence,  a subjective certainty,  hoping against hope and prayerful hope.

When his brother Hanani and a few others reported the news to Nehemiah about the ruined walls of the city of Jerusalem, he was affected. "When I heard this news, I sat and wept, mourning for several days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven" (1:4). Later he became convicted to do something about it because the name of God was at stake. Ruined walls were a disgrace because foreigners could taunt them about their God who was powerless and weak to protect them (cf. Joel 2:17, Micah 7:8-10). Having obtained permission from the monarch, he went to Jerusalem to survey the ruins in the night by himself.

His conviction must have included a sense of divine destiny and doing the will of God. We are not told where the conviction came from. Conviction can come from different sources such as the Bible, books, sermons, personal experiences, exhortation, visions, counselling and others. Convictions are important because the stronger the conviction, the greater the passion and perseverance to see the end results.  Leaders who exert strong leadership are those with deep conviction.      

Strong convictions precede great actions (Louisa Alcott). 

Broad paths are open to every endeavour, and a sympathetic recognition is assured to everyone who consecrates his art to the divine services of a conviction of a consciousness (Franz Liszt). 

Stand up for what you believe in, when you know what you stand for is right. You will find that you're already beaten, when you're not ever willing to fight. In a matter of goodness and evil, it is not wise to sit on a wall. You must stand up for what you believe in, or you'll only be destined to fall (Wes Fessler).

How can a leader develop conviction? Some of the ways are:  a) study  and learn what God says on a given issue; b) choose to apply and obey the word of God  in everyday life; c) expose ourselves to a need; d)  meditate on specific truths over a period of six months to  a year; e) decide what is worth living and dying for; f) associate with people who possess convictions  in the same areas; and g) settle an issue before we are forced to do so.^[1]

The question to ask is "What is it that I believe so strongly and deeply that I am willing to die for that belief?

COMMITMENT. He was committed to the people and also to the project. It is people before the project.  If we really want do something that is significant for God and his people, we must be willing to move out of our comfort zone and into places requiring the exercise of faith. Nehemiah as a leader cared enough to ask (1:1-3), to weep (1:4) and to pray ( 1:5-10). This is what differentiates a great leader from a good leader.

In spite of such disparaging remarks, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” (4:2), he persisted. Facing intimidation, opposition, obstruction, setbacks and obstacles along the way from without— scorn (4:1-6), force (4:7-23), craft ( 4:1-19) and  from within - debris (4:10), fear ( 4:11-14) and  greed (5:1-13), he refused to quit because of his commitment to the people and project.

（picture from the Internet）

Until I am committed, there is a hesitancy, a chance to draw back, But the moment I definitely commit myself, then God moves also, and a whole stream of events erupt. All manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings, persons and material assistance which I could never have dreamed would come my way begin to flow toward me — the moment I make a commitment (unknown).^[2] 

CONCENTRATION. Nehemiah was focussed in Operation Rebuilding. To be focussed means to prioritise one's work. Concentration is one of the secrets of success. "Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought  to a focus (Alexander Graham Bell).

...effective leaders have something in common. They have the incredible ability to maintain a focus on what is most important and not to be distracted by issues that might be urgent  but are not the most significant. Have you ever noticed as you read about Jesus that he was never in a rush? He never seemed distracted or confused about his priorities. He lived with a single focus on the kingdom of God and doing His Father's will."^[3] 

To be focused also means some things cannot be done. There many things a leader likes to do but he or she cannot because of the lack of resources or time. How does a leader stay focus? He or she asks the following questions: a) Is what I am doing consistent with my priorities?; b) Is this within my area of competence?; c) Can someone else do it better?; d) Do I have the time?; and e) What do my trusted friends say?^[4] A focussed leader is someone who says, "This one thing I do... rather than these ten things I dabble in" (Howard Hendricks).

The man who seeks one thing in life and but one,

May hope to achieve it before life is done.

But he who seeks all things, wherever he goes

Only reaps from the hopes which around him he sows,   

A harvest of barren regrets (Robert Buwer-Lyon)