by Pastor Nilo Briones (JwoL)

Jesus Word of Life International (JwoL) Fellowship, an evangelical  church celebrates thanksgiving worship and fellowship every Saturday at NEBC Bldg. at 175 Whitefield Drive NE from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you need prayers, you may call Pastor Nilo at (587) 215-3377.  “God, mission, our mission:  to preach the gospel, feed the hungry, and share the love of Christ.”

We are living in a success-driven generation in all aspects and levels of life, be it in administering one’s family, in ways to handle our finances  and relationships, in pursuing education or in reaching for the stars in our careers, or even in accumulating material things for prestige or honor of one’s name.  Success, in this fleeting world,  is always equated with achievements – materially, physically, or even emotionally. Gone are the days when people just sit by to their heart’s content and enjoy the  simplicity of life.  In fact, barely can a day passes by without being strained or stressed in chasing the wind for success.  

In one of my leadership courses at Alberta Bible College, our professor showed a video showing Brian Tracy’s discussing “Leadership the Critical Difference.”  He defines leadership as the “ability to direct extraordinary performance for ordinary people.”  He enumerated important keys to effective leadership, some of which I have mentioned here.  In the business world, effective leaders possess the ff. qualities:

• Leader have a vision.  A vision is a desire to become bigger than ourselves, to become the best of ourselves.  A good vision has a good sense of mission, which has a sense of direction.
• Leaders are action-oriented.  They are critical thinkers, and they think big.  They are creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial.
• Leaders have courage.  Courage is developed.  Leaders practice boldness as they attack situations and fight problems with audacity.  Being courageous involves taking calculated risks, thus minimizing possible breakdowns.
• Leaders are good strategists or planners.  They logically plan considering all conditions – whether positive or negative.  They are concentrating on their strengths.  Although they know their weaknesses, they carefully study  how to overcome them.
• Leaders inspire and motivate people.  They turn people on fire by encouraging them.  Their 100% sense of commitment attracts their followers. They inspire loyalty among them as they impress their followers of value in the organization.
• Leaders are committed to winning or victory.  They never use the word “failure”, just “temporary setback.” Sometimes we need to fail in order to learn valuable lessons for success.

Above all, although Mr. Tracy did not mention it, always remember to “Keep this Book of the Law (God’s Word) always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8).