While most of the world has been writing about 25, I’m gonna tell you about 21. The 21 Indispensable Qualities of A Leader, that is.

The subtitle of this little book is “Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow.”

This is a great little book and the third book of my 24 this year. By the way, I think I’ll have the opportunity to read more than 24. The reason I bring up the sub title is this:

In today’s wild and (un)predictable world everyone is looking to make themselves a little bit better and more valuable. Our clients, customers and boss(es) are, in fact, demanding it. And this is where John Maxwell‘s classic comes in. If you haven’t heard of Maxwell, many consider him to be THE Leadership Expert in North America.

So what can you learn from this book? It depends on what stage of leadership you find yourself. However, I will tell you a couple of things. First, you don’t have to be at the top to lead. Leaders can be found in all places of an organization: Top, middle and bottom.

Second, the way the book is organized will allow you to think, reflect and act on the 21 different qualities that Maxwell highlights.

If you’re looking at a simple yet powerful read to help you become valuable this is a book you’ll want to add to your personal library.

Lots has been said about wait times in Ontario hospital emergency rooms. The debate has raged between, “way too long” and “way too long.” Not much to brag about to your friends out West.

Until now. Here’s our story:

On Wednesday my wife “sprained” her ankle on her way out the door. (Yes, going to work is hazardous to our health!) After calling Tele-Health soon after she took some painkillers and iced her ankle. By dinner, she was walking around. Around 11pm she was screaming in pain. After more painkillers and ice we got a hold of Tele-Health who advised us to head to the hospital for X-Rays. So we packed books and food and drinks and headed towards North York General.

We left home and were back home in less than an hour! Yes, you read that correctly. Less than an hour, door-to-door. Amazing! From parking, to registering to triage, to waiting, to x-rays, to diagnosis. No break. Just a tensor bandage. We declined the crutches that were offered.

And it doesn’t end here. The X-Rays were forwarded and a “tiny tear” was found so we got a phone call the next day. doctor said nothing serious but let’s take a look to see what we should do. Appointment booked for Tuesday.

No pain, no swelling.

Many people like to bash our “social medical system”. Call it social or call it public. I call it a medical system that works. And I’m thankful for that.

What is your Canadian hospital success story?

Hey!

I found this article via Twitter.

I also use Google Reader to follow blogs that interest me. I’ll read and tag the one’s that are interesting. This saves me time and money as I don’t need to buy the newspaper or read the whole paper to find something interesting. Also allows me to read and follow stories from around the world.

Anyone not worth following on Twitter/FB/LinkedIn I just “delete/Stop following/DeFriend” them.
About Small Business
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

No matter what we think business is taking “green” mainstream.

Two articles recently came across my Google Reader. The first was Motorola’s entry into the green revolution. Second was news that research firm Environics had just opened up a “Sustainability and Clean Energy” practice to provide PR support to clients looking to market environmentally friendly practices and services.

These are positive things in and of itself. However, there will be people who say that it’s all just a marketing ploy to generate business during this economic storm.

Here’s the rub: It’s good that “green” is good for business. Changing the consumer mindset of North America (and the rest of the Western world) should not be the point. We should be encouraging innovation and “green” enterprise. And applauding it. Consumers will continue to demand products and services that respond to their desire for eco-responsibility. Companies that respond to these needs will succeed and thrive in the coming months and decade.

What’s your opinion and thoughts? I’d love to hear about them.

I don’t know how popular this story was in Toronto this weekend – I tend to be unplugged during weekends. However, I thought it would be important for me to inform you of the story.

The year was 1958 and the University of Buffalo Bulls had just been invited to play in the Tangerine Bowl in Florida. With one exception: The Bulls’ two black players were banned from playing because of a segregation clause in the host team’s school district rules.

The Bulls players decided not to play. (50 years later the Bulls returned to Bowl participation and played UCONN this past weekend in Toronto for the International Bowl.)

My question to you is this – Throughout this year, will you make decisions that are right (and maybe against popular opinion) or will you just shut your mouth and be a follower? It sounds easy.

I pray that I have the strength to do what’s right.