Name: John Mark Nalbak

Title: Secretary

Organisation: Nuo Theatre Organization

I am a bachelor's degree secondary school teacher majoring in teaching mathematics and physics. I was raised and lived in the Solomon Islands. I am in my mid-thirties and nearly forty years. I love helping people through awareness talks and reaching out to the rural and remote islands and villages. It became my passion to help advise and motivate people to aspire to achieve their dreams since we know that nothing is impossible if we put GOD at the center of our plans and dreams. Only through believing in GOD, and trusting yourself to achieve your dreams will you succeed and prosper.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope John's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

To work together with the people. Most people didn't see much to realize the positive impacts contributed to their lives. Some people seem to just be ignorant and relaxed to liaise and collaborate with others to build trust and commitment to serve the community and organization. Being a leader is quite challenging due to the fact of the different attitudes and behaviors of the people we are dealing with.

I was a Youth leader in our church, and I found it quite hard to work together with my colleague leaders and the young youth members. However, I managed to set up some strategies that I applied to lure in the young people by becoming part of them and slowly but surely influencing them to come into the church. It was quite interesting and very motivating, because, after all, I've learned so much.

Thanks to my profession as a teacher I managed to work together with the youths and finally make the community people come together to support the youths in sports which resulted in the community people working together again.

Thus, the challenges can only be overcome if we have faith, trust, and belief in ourselves. Above all, GOD is the source of wisdom and inspiration and GOD directs the path in the right direction. Thus, believe in GOD and everything shall be handed unto you. AMEN.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I was raised in a rural village, and my father and mother are the leaders of my mother's and father's union groups. Both are leaders in the church and I usually attended the church activities during the days and nights.

During my teenage years, I served in the church as a Sunday school teacher and as a leader in the youth. During my high school days, I was elected as the prefect for my community high to serve under the teacher's supervision for the students. After completing my secondary and tertiary studies, I was appointed as the deputy principal of my school and also elected as the youth leader in our youth organization, and also as a representative for the youths in my community.

In our islands, leaders are selected by their character, behavior, and attitudes. People respect you and treat you as a leader through the positive traits you display and the caring attitude and habits you show to other people.

Also, my parents do all the necessary cultural and customary practices which are to be done to a person to become a leader in the community and the islands which I originated from. That is how I became a leader in my home islands and community.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I had a daily routine chart, or a timetable to cop up with the daily activities. During the night, I usually sit down and write up the program for the next day.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Never rely on yourself to do something on your own. A good leader delegates and must be trustworthy, transparent, and must possess all the qualities of an effective leader. However, it's quite challenging but interesting.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Ethics in leadership. Ethics is one of the very things that leaders should know and be aware of. The decision that a leader has to make must always be ethically right to avoid misunderstanding and chaos in society.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Be careful on how you make your decisions. Be a leader with integrity and trustworthiness. Above all, learn to know GOD and you will lead diligently.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

Always be a good listener analyze things before making decisions, and trust your guts and instincts when it comes to decision-making.