I'm was listening to CBC Radio yesterday afternoon (yes, it was a pretty slow afternoon around the office) as the federal budget was broadcast live. Most of the people interviewed said one minor positive thing about the budget and most representatives of various groups (NDP party, Canadian taxpayers federation, etc) expressed serious complaints about the budget. The CBC host was actually trying to say, "But is your group not pleased to see..." and the answer was generally, "well, sort of, but..." Interestingly, there was great uproar two months ago when the initial budget showed that there was no "stimulus package" or tax-breaks so that the budget would be balanced. Now that the budget has been announced, its all wrong too!
So... this brings me to reflect on a significant leadership concept: If you are a leader, some people, perhaps many people, will not like your ideas (or you). Whatever you do, it will be wrong and it will be critic ized. So think through fully what you are about to put forth as a leader - whether a vision, a budget, a new idea/program - be willing to get input from many sources before you announce something, and then believing that you have decided wisely, stick with the plan. Acknowledge the problems and explain why you chose that problem to live with rather than an alternate problem.
I must say, I'm rather disappointed with the Conservative Party and Prime Minister Harper for not getting their "ducks in a row," deciding what the non-negotiables should be, and then living with the criticism of their decision and reasonably explaining what the dangerous alternatives could have been. Today, a day after the budget, I'm again impressed with Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff's reported actions plan: to accept the budget provided that the Conservative party is prepared to give quarterly updates on the progress being made as a result of spending stimuli and tax-breaks. He admits there is a lot of good stuff in the budget but wants to make sure the Tories don't just make promises that go nowhere.
In other words, Ignatieff is saying: I'm going to distance myself from the NDP and Bloc Quebecois and the "coalition" idea, I'm going to realize that Harper & the Conservatives essentially released a "liberal" budget and not be stupid and criticize them doing exactly what we as liberals would have done, and then I'm going to pounce on them in a few months/year when they've run us into a horrendous deficit and show myself and the new Liberal party as the party Canadians should elect to "clean up the mess the conservatives have made" ...when the recession is over and money is starting to flow again!
Not a bad strategy, eh?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Inauguration of President Barack Obama
I found President Barack Obama's inauguration speech to be truly excellent. He is truly an excellent speaker and along with his writing staff, a gifted person at crafting a message. Very inspiring and yet he speaks honestly and realistically, not just "fluff."
Also thought that Rick Warren's prayer was also well-crafted. (I agree it is odd to "evaluate" someone's prayer.) And it certainly did not have the unique ending of the benediction prayer... though that was pretty funny... and the God I believe in and know enjoys laughter too so I'm sure he's not offended!
One miscellaneous thought - and its totally unrelated to the inauguration: The children's song "The Farmer in the Dell" probably needs explaining for children in today's "order a computer online world!" (or Why is the farmer in the Dell and not the Toshiba or the HP or a Mac?)
Also thought that Rick Warren's prayer was also well-crafted. (I agree it is odd to "evaluate" someone's prayer.) And it certainly did not have the unique ending of the benediction prayer... though that was pretty funny... and the God I believe in and know enjoys laughter too so I'm sure he's not offended!
One miscellaneous thought - and its totally unrelated to the inauguration: The children's song "The Farmer in the Dell" probably needs explaining for children in today's "order a computer online world!" (or Why is the farmer in the Dell and not the Toshiba or the HP or a Mac?)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Kurt Warner as a Leader
Just want to give a two thumbs up to Kurt Warner, quarterback for the Super Bowl bound Arizona Cardinals. The franchise that won two playoff games in their very unglorious history (Chicago/Los Angeles/Arizona Cardinals) before this year is now headed to the NFL championship. And I believe Kurt Warner is not only a good quarterback, and a well-respected godly man, but he must be a great leader to take another team (recall the St Louis Rams in 1999 and 2001) that was expected to not even be a contender to a Super Bowl. Both franchises were at times a really pathetic joke and they both gave Kurt Warner a chance when he did not have much of a record as a star, and he returned the favor by becoming a "star" and giving both teams hope. That is one of the tasks of a leader... to bring hope.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Drive for Five - Successful
Like many Canadians, I was eagerly watching the gold medal game of the World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC) last night on TSN as Canada defeated Sweden 5-1 to capture their fifth consecutive gold medal. Although this is a great accomplishment for the team, there are so many great individual stories that present significant life and leadership lessons. Here's just a few I'm aware of...
1) Pat Quinn, head coach. Some people wondered if he could coach young players... with a U-18 championship last year and a WJHC this year, I guess the answer for the Olympic Gold medal winning coach is, YES! Quinn made some risky coaching decisions with this group of youngsters - such as carrying eight defenceman and twelve forwards instead of 7 & 13, thus making room for Ryan Ellis who was phenomenal as the quarterback for Team Canada's powerplay that was sensational in the tournament or going with goaltender Dustin Tokarski in the final three games, yet he was right on with all his choices. He also let his assistant coaches have their areas of responsibility and they did exceptional - Guy Boucher with the powerplay and Willie Desjardins with the penalty killing.
2) Dustin Tokarski, goaltender. Won a Telus Cup with the Prince Albert Mintos in Midget AAA and never got invited to a WHL camp. Got to tryouts for two WHL teams and got cut. Finally got a chance with the WHL's Spokane Chiefs... and was the Memorial Cup MVP in 2008 as they won the Memorial Cup. Not one of the top goalies chosen in the 2008 NHL draft yet invited to Team Canada Camp and made the team as the 1A goaltender, though some figured Chet Pickard would eventually get the "pressure games." By his own admission, was shaky in the game against Russia and yet was brilliant last night in making 39 saves for the gold medal and the player-of-the-game for Canada.
3) Angelo Esposito, center. Cut from Team Canada in his first three attempts, he finally made the team this year and had a solid tournament. Last night was arguably his best game of the tournament and included the game winning goal! (Does Pittsburgh really need another great offensive star! Yikes!)
4) Evander Kane, left winger. Cut from this year's Team Canada and sent back to Vancouver, he flew back across the country a few days later when Dana Tyrell was injured in an exhibition game. Probably a fourth line guy when the tournament started, he was one of the key penalty killing forwards last night... and he's only 17 years old!
1) Pat Quinn, head coach. Some people wondered if he could coach young players... with a U-18 championship last year and a WJHC this year, I guess the answer for the Olympic Gold medal winning coach is, YES! Quinn made some risky coaching decisions with this group of youngsters - such as carrying eight defenceman and twelve forwards instead of 7 & 13, thus making room for Ryan Ellis who was phenomenal as the quarterback for Team Canada's powerplay that was sensational in the tournament or going with goaltender Dustin Tokarski in the final three games, yet he was right on with all his choices. He also let his assistant coaches have their areas of responsibility and they did exceptional - Guy Boucher with the powerplay and Willie Desjardins with the penalty killing.
2) Dustin Tokarski, goaltender. Won a Telus Cup with the Prince Albert Mintos in Midget AAA and never got invited to a WHL camp. Got to tryouts for two WHL teams and got cut. Finally got a chance with the WHL's Spokane Chiefs... and was the Memorial Cup MVP in 2008 as they won the Memorial Cup. Not one of the top goalies chosen in the 2008 NHL draft yet invited to Team Canada Camp and made the team as the 1A goaltender, though some figured Chet Pickard would eventually get the "pressure games." By his own admission, was shaky in the game against Russia and yet was brilliant last night in making 39 saves for the gold medal and the player-of-the-game for Canada.
3) Angelo Esposito, center. Cut from Team Canada in his first three attempts, he finally made the team this year and had a solid tournament. Last night was arguably his best game of the tournament and included the game winning goal! (Does Pittsburgh really need another great offensive star! Yikes!)
4) Evander Kane, left winger. Cut from this year's Team Canada and sent back to Vancouver, he flew back across the country a few days later when Dana Tyrell was injured in an exhibition game. Probably a fourth line guy when the tournament started, he was one of the key penalty killing forwards last night... and he's only 17 years old!
Monday, January 05, 2009
Face the Future by Remembering the Past
Yesterday, my friend Dr Dave Atmore brought the morning message to the worshippers of Prairie Tabernacle congregation. The main idea of this "New Years 2009" message was to Face the future by remembering God's faithfulness and goodness to us in the past, both personally and corporately. As we reviewed the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River and setting up memorial stones, Dave shared some personal stories of key "stones" in his life - Stones commemorating God's provision, protection, and peace at times in his life. And the key question he asked us to think about was "What stones are you setting up in your life?" So here's my attempted answer...
1) My body has a lot of marks that serve as reminders of God's goodness and faithfulness - basically places in my physical body that shouldn't work but they do. The most basic explanation is that my body systems (respiratory especially) has developed its own way of working so that it keeps me breathing, working, functioning, etc... and relatively well... even though some of the "signs" of a properly working respiratory system such as oxygen saturation levels, skin colour, etc are saying that something is dangerously wrong. Everyday, my body reminds me that God's moment-by-moment sustaining keeps me going. Thank You, Lord.
2) My second stone would be my "degrees." Although they could be seen as my accomplishment, most of the time, I remember that these pieces of parchment happened because God provided people to encourage me at the right time to start a program, continue a program, and see it through to completion. God provided the finances for me to be able to complete these degrees without any debt (now! I did borrow some money for my undergraduate degree). And most importantly today, these degrees are a reminder that God has provided me with the call as well as the education and vocation (teaching and administrating) to serve Him each day.
3) The third "symbol" reminding me of God's goodness in the past would be my wedding ring... and the family God has blessed me with... both Sarah and I and Caleb as a family, as well as the extended families of the Ibbotsons and Hunts.
This message reminded me of a good life principle yet also a great leadership principle: We can only face the (uncertain) future when we remember what God has done in the past.
1) My body has a lot of marks that serve as reminders of God's goodness and faithfulness - basically places in my physical body that shouldn't work but they do. The most basic explanation is that my body systems (respiratory especially) has developed its own way of working so that it keeps me breathing, working, functioning, etc... and relatively well... even though some of the "signs" of a properly working respiratory system such as oxygen saturation levels, skin colour, etc are saying that something is dangerously wrong. Everyday, my body reminds me that God's moment-by-moment sustaining keeps me going. Thank You, Lord.
2) My second stone would be my "degrees." Although they could be seen as my accomplishment, most of the time, I remember that these pieces of parchment happened because God provided people to encourage me at the right time to start a program, continue a program, and see it through to completion. God provided the finances for me to be able to complete these degrees without any debt (now! I did borrow some money for my undergraduate degree). And most importantly today, these degrees are a reminder that God has provided me with the call as well as the education and vocation (teaching and administrating) to serve Him each day.
3) The third "symbol" reminding me of God's goodness in the past would be my wedding ring... and the family God has blessed me with... both Sarah and I and Caleb as a family, as well as the extended families of the Ibbotsons and Hunts.
This message reminded me of a good life principle yet also a great leadership principle: We can only face the (uncertain) future when we remember what God has done in the past.
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