This book is thematically about how managers and leaders can motivate employees in the workplace. The use of the word “Barnabas” in the title is only to emphasize the need for every organization to have corporate catalysts that are like the Barnabas Bible. Corporate catalysts are those that influence others to think effectively and generate positive results in the workplace. Therefore, this text entitled “Lines of Barnabas” could not have come at a better time.
Alex Okoh, author of this text is the managing partner of Ashford & McGuire Consulting. Okoh has a diverse background in banking and consulting. He was Managing Director / CEO of NNB International Bank Plc, Nigeria from 2001 to 2005. Okoh holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria and an MA in Banking and Finance from the University. from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He is a student in the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Okoh says that life’s challenges require more than just physical attributes and the ability to overcome them. She adds that she has found that motivation or emotional makeup is also a critical factor in successfully navigating the undulating terrain of life, in a way that creates inner harmony. Okoh emphasizes that it is surprising, however, that this intangible but critical element is not given the required attention to underscore the immense catalytic role it plays in bringing issues to the relevant perspectives for appropriate action.
This author says that when he was appointed Managing Director / CEO of NNB International Bank Plc in need of an urgent change in 2001, he soon found that the more he gave to achieve success, the more frustrated he felt, to the extent that it felt like giving up. defeated. As a way out of the seemingly insurmountable challenge, he says, in 2002, he began sending inspirational emails to all bank staff every Monday morning. Okoh adds that this strategy worked wonders as the employees were extremely motivated to work for the organization.
This author says that in 2004, he extended the audience beyond the organization and modified the text messages accordingly when he realized (and still realized) that the problems that many people had (and still have) to face were (and they are) beyond professional vocations and commitments. He explains that as text messages began to pose the storage challenge, he had no choice but to quickly document them in book form. The result is this book.
Regarding the structure, this text is divided into 100 chapters. Chapter one is titled “Defy the Challenges.” Here, Okoh claims that calm seas never produce good sailors. He adds that, for good reason, he believes that because easy circumstances hardly produce tough competition. The author expands that the brilliant military commanders are usually those who have handled arduous confrontations and have overcome them many times. Okoh emphasizes that the key distinguishing factor is that regardless of the outcome of engagements, they emerge from experiences with lessons that are valuable for future occasions.
Naturally, the author says, above all we despise the discomfort or any harassment of our pleasant spaces, preferring the softness of calm to the rugged aptitude that is endowed as we acquire the ability to cope with turbulence. In Okoh’s words, “Streams may be calm, but they can only produce canoe paddlers. The harsh ocean is the crucible where tough sailors prepare.”
Chapter Two is based on the theme of staying motivated. Here the author says that you have probably seen the television commercial that shows a young child taking his first insecure steps in life in response to the fascinating attraction of a ringing phone. Okoh teaches that this is motivation. It emphasizes that it is an emotion generated and that it leads to efforts to do something that was otherwise believed impossible or had not been previously attempted. Okoh adds that motivation gives people the impetus to turn away from their fear toward their desirable destination. The author illuminates that God also places mobile phones with fascinating ringtones that urge us to turn away from our fears.
In chapters three through twenty, Okoh focuses his analytical focus on concepts such as persevere; standing strong; refresh; will and ability; turning the tide; positive attitude; being renovated; just keep going; and be driven by purpose. Others are: choosing your reality; pushing the lid; cheerful melodies; flowing with its tide; manage to persist; keep busy; be expectant; source of greatness; and words capable of commanding destinies.
Chapter 21 is christened “lean on him.” Here, Okoh says that every event in life heralds a potential learning experience. He adds that even the ones that are not so pleasant still help to reinforce our preventive or defensive mechanisms to handle similar situations in the future. Thus, a new day presents a new platform to reinforce one’s own positive experiences while searching for new ones, the author emphasizes. He says that as we progress through life, our classification mechanisms become more precise and tend to detect problems that portend possible negative outcomes before they flare up.
In Chapters 22 to 40, Okoh’s X-ray concepts as slowly steadily; existential questions; it’s your script; only His time matters; feeling insecure; opportunities among thorns; leaving excuses aside; waiting for destiny; and importance of today. The remaining concepts are: grasp His grace; being led; at your own pace; beyond your experiences; It is always persistent; tuning up; Get down; restoration time; seeing the positive; and God is everywhere.
Chapter 41 has the thematic focus of optimism. Okoh emphasizes the need for you to look to an exciting future with a lot of optimism. He adds that this is the state of mind that looks beyond difficulties because, as the saying goes, “an optimist looks for opportunity in difficulty, while a pessimist looks for difficulty in opportunity.” Okoh states that it is quite rare to see an opportunity that presents itself without being grouped by perceived difficulty.
In chapters 42 through 60, he examines concepts such as “It’s over”; strength for the race; riding the stream; nesting in His ability; it is right around the corner; winning attitude; taking advantage of the season; wishing for success; and working for good. Others are: chasing the dream; a life of service; not planning; divine tools; choosing your growth; your heart; be diligent; rising above hope; doing the immediate count; and pressing forward.
Chapter 61 is titled “Pursue the Goal.” According to Okoh, it is a new opportunity to engage their aspirations. He emphasizes that someone said that the American constitution only guarantees the pursuit of happiness, but that you must catch up with it yourself. The author claims that this is a situation that many people can relate to and assumes that this is the reason why you are up in the morning, jogging on your path of effort. Okoh says that as long as there is a move in the right direction, success is a matter of time.
Okoh analyzes in chapters 62 to 80 concepts such as that the verdict is his; starting; challenges building you; sharpening your vision; all capable of being cured; replacement insurance; stay optimistic; it’s raining; and walk with insight. Others are: capacity for ideas; listening carefully; just trust enough; keep up with the aspiration; going over temporary potholes; God as faithful; things not yet seen; looking for the jewels; everything is in your hand; and living your potential.
Chapter 81 is based on the theme of vision and dream. Okoh says the future is pregnant with a new set of possibilities. In her words, “People talk about vision and goals sometimes with the perspective of some unattainable utopian ideals. I think that’s not the purpose of the exercise because any dream that can’t be realized is probably not worth it. Emotional pain that relief and causing what we might call negative motivation. “
In chapters 82-100, Okoh examines topics such as age and mileage; the treasures are inside; hope that sustains life; appreciating life; find your territory; displaying His amazement; imagining the future; the learning curve; and preparing for the opportunity. The remainder are: victorious disposition; your talent; in the midst of uncertainty; importance of your report; Hard times; opportunity in disguise; defeat from thought; regardless of your experience; taking the positive; and his reverence.
By way of stylistic assessment, this text is unique. Okoh uses the literary technique of unfamiliarization, also called metaphor, as a technique in the title of the book. Through this, you can create suspense, arouse curiosity by referring to a corporate catalyst like Bernabé, and maintain an interest in reading. The title also passes for a biblical allusion. By using this biblical allusion, those who are already familiar with the story of Barnabas in the Bible will clearly understand the message of the book. In addition, the print quality is very high and the layout is very pleasing to the eye, especially since only two pages are allocated to each chapter. And each chapter is embroidered with an illuminating quote. The cover design of the outer cover is simple and communicates the fact that motivation is a quiet and strategic endeavor.
The author can give credibility to the book and challenge readers because it is based on his own personal experience. Drawing on his personal experience, he is able to naturally combine autobiographical and God-eye narrative techniques, and take on the role of an omniscient narrator to provide details. The language is also mature.
However, some errors are noted in the text. These are “Acknowledgments” rather than Acknowledgments “(page iii);” mastery “(outside back cover) instead of” mastery “;” live your potential “(page 159), instead of” long live your potential. “is an uncountable noun and the lexicographic symbol that shows its grammatical behavior says” U “, that is, uncountable noun. Also, although the title of the text creates suspense and arouses attention, it would have been better to use a title so that it can appeal to a wider audience that may not be Christian or knows nothing about the life story of the Apostle Barnabas. this text has a commendable intellectual depth. It is a must read for managers, entrepreneurs, and organizations that are prepared to achieve results through an effective employee motivation strategy.