She opens the article by writing, “Leaders who create extraordinary new possibilities are passionate about their mission and tenacious in pursuit of it. Many people have good ideas, but many fewer are willing to put themselves on the line for them. Passion separates good intentions and opportunism from real accomplishments.”

Professor Kanter describes how a colleague and friend Dr. Donald M. Berwick started his career as a pediatrician with a vision to improve health outcomes for patients. Today he is the founder and president of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement which reaches thousands of hospitals, hundreds of thousands of practitioners, and millions of patients.

Yet even with his achievements as a professor at Harvard Medical School, the Harvard School of Public Health and leading the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, his aspirations continue. Now Dr. Berwick has another door that may open. He is nominated by President Obama to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which runs health programs insuring nearly one-third of all Americans.  

As you graduate with your degree and embark on leaving your footprint in the world, I share with you Dr. Kanter’s 12 questions to guide you in determining if your passion matches your aspiration. Congratulations!

1. Do I feel strongly about the need for this?

2. Does the idea fit my long-held beliefs, values, and convictions?

3. Have I dreamed about something like this for a long time?

4. Do I think that this is vital for the future of people I care about?

5. Do I get excited when I think about it, and convey excitement when I talk about it?

6. Am I convinced that this can be accomplished?

7. Am I willing to put my credibility on the line to promise action on it?

8. Am I willing to spend time to sell it to others who might not understand or support it?

9. Can I make this the major focus of my activities?

10. Am I willing to devote personal time, above and beyond organizational time, to see that this happens?

11. Do I feel strongly enough to ignore negativity and fight for this?

12. Am I committed to seeing this through, over the long haul?

What next?
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Graduates: Does Your Passion Match Your Aspiration? is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

New Blog Design is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

Commissioned by ELEMENT Hotels, a brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, below are more of the eco-etiquette findings:

1. 75% expect fresh sheets and towels daily in a hotel, but not at home
2. 70% open a new mini-bottle of shampoo and conditioner each time they shower on the road
3. 70% agree that they try to conserve water “as much as possible” at home, only 18% do the same in a hotel
4. 63% admit to being more likely to leave a light on when they leave a hotel room than at home
5. 62% said one reason they use water and energy less efficiently in a hotel than at home is that they “don’t have to pay for it”
6. 60% are more likely to leave a bathroom light on overnight in an unfamiliar hotel room that at home

 

So what can you do to sharpen your eco-etiquette? Below are a few tips from ELEMENT Hotels Corporate Director Randal Savage:

1. Get unplugged: Many people don’t realize that their cell phone charger, laptop cable and other electrical plugs drain power while they are plugged in, even if they are not in use. In fact, only 5% of the power used by an average cell phone charger is used to charge the phone—the other 95% is wasted energy.
2. Seize the day: Take advantage of natural light as much as possible—it is as renewing for your spirits as it is for the planet.
3. Chill out: Hotels are often climate-controlled, buy many will let you adjust the room temperature. Always set the temperature around 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer to maximize both energy efficiency and personal comfort.
4. Lights out: Keeping the bathroom light off overnight makes a big impact—and will help you to sleep better.
5. Conserve while you sleep: ELEMENT’s survey confirmed that only a small percentage of people change their linens everyday at home—so why should a hotel be any different? Taking advantage of a hotel’s linen reuse policy is a smart choice.
6. Use common sense: Be sure to turn off the lights and TV and make sure faucets are closed before leaving your room.

Eco-Etiquette, Business Style is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

Don’t Punch Back Play Harder is one of the themes for National Sportsmanship Day next Tuesday, March 6th. I asked the kids in my Etiquette Club to list some good sportsmanship behaviors and here are a few excerpts.

1. If you’re roller skating with a friend, and you’re going fast, don’t brag about it.
2. Have fun! Don’t trip and say, “I’m not playing.”
3. Play nice.
4. Say “good game” to someone after a sport game.
5. Don’t run over someone’s toy. Be nice.

Children Etiquette: Don’t Punch Back – Play Harder is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog