The Two Go Hand in Hand

A big part of being an effective leader is about making the proper choices. We cement ourselves as competent leaders who can be trusted through the things we do and it also provides an example for others to follow.

Of course, this doesn't happen by accident.

There's this thing called awareness that also has to be in place.

I recently had an opportunity to catch up with Doug Moran.

Doug is a leadership development expert, executive coach and founder of If You Will Lead, a leadership consultancy and coaching firm.

He chatted with me about the importance of awareness in the leadership framework.



Doug is also the author of the book "If You Will Lead" which is based on the 19th century poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling. It's due to be released in the Spring of 2010.

Doug explains.

Join me on the next episode of HCL Radio where Doug and I chat about the forthcoming book, the differences between managing and leading and the work of his firm.

Visit If You Will Lead for more information

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Putting People First

HCL Radio is pleased to welcome Tommy Spaulding to the program to talk about the power of authentic relationships.


Tommy is the president of Spaulding Companies, a national leadership development organization who's career is built on valuable, authentic relationships.

He teaches audiences how to achieve greater success through forming deeper, more authentic relationships with customers, employees and clients.

Click here to listen to Tommy's thoughts on authentic relationships

Connecting with others at a deep real level should be the goal of any leader looking to make a lasting impact with those around them.



Tommy believes that we can lead through the power of relationships and talks about how leaders can use love in the workforce.

HCL Radio - Where developing leaders is more than just a game.

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Thank You Thank You Thank you!

Thanks to you and your support, Hard Court Lessons has been chosen as the one of the successful blogs to move on to the second and final round of the Canadian Blog Awards for the Professional Life Category!



It was a decisive first place win and Hard Court Lessons captured over 46% of votes for the victory. See the results here.

It couldn't have been possible without your support and for that, thank you!

We've now moved on to the second and final round and I'm asking you to log on and cast your vote to name Hard Court Lessons the best blog in Canada!

You can cast your vote here.

Thanks so much for your support once again!


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The Toughest Lesson

It's a tough pill to swallow when things in life don't go the way we intended them to or worse, not in our favour at all.

We immediately get an instant crash course lesson in patience, humility and acceptance.

Motivational speaker and author, Andy Hill was forced to learn these lessons in his college days as a member of UCLA's basketball team.



The former CBS executive was a highly recruited basketball player but didn't see a lot of playing time in Coach Wooden's system during his three years.

As a result, he became bitter and resentful and didn't talk to Coach Wooden for over 25 years after he left UCLA.

Upon reflection, Hill says that the fact that he didn't play much was the best thing that could have happened to him.



Andy Hill joins the next episode of HCL Radio to talk about his experiences, his career and the things he realized from John Wooden.

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The Elected Point Guard

Kevin Johnson was a fierce point guard during his 12 years in the NBA.


The guy known simply as KJ, joins Magic Johnson and Isaiah Thomas as the only players in NBA history to average at least 20 points and 12 assists in a single season.

This is a clear indication that Kevin knows a thing or two about teamwork and working collectively to achieve a common goal.

When his playing days ended, Kevin focused his attention on giving back to others and started at the place where he grew up, Oak Park, California.

He founded a not for profit organization called St. Hope and his work in the community eventually led to a political career.



Kevin Johnson would go on to become Sacramento’s first ever African American mayor in 2008.

On the court, Kevin played the point guard position and took on the role of floor general where he essentially was an extension of the coach.

He provided leadership and stability and would call plays for his teammates that would put them in the best situations to be successful.

During an interview, the Phoenix Suns all time leader in assists provided a quick simple comparison between being a politician and a point guard in the NBA.

If you ask the lightning quick point guard, he’ll tell you that his time on the court as a player helped get him ready him for a career in politics.

He said, “My days in the NBA have certainly prepared me for what I’m doing today”

Click here to listen to the entire interview.

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Canadian Blog Awards Nomination!!

I'm happy to say that Hard Court Lessons has been nominated for the Canadian Blog Awards for the Best Professional Life Blog



There are 20 nominations from across Canada for the first round and the top 5 will move on to the second round.

Round one voting will run from December 1-12 and round two will be from December 13 - December 19.

HELP HARD COURT LESSONS BECOME A FINALIST!!!

I'm asking you to log on, click on professional life and cast a vote for my site.

You don't have to rank the entire list; in fact, you can rank as little or as many as you desire and you can vote as often as you'd like.

I'd also ask if you could forward this link to friends and colleagues who might also appreciate and support my leadership site.

Twitter Facebook - however you can help promote it is greatly appreciated.


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It's All About The 90%

Famed pastor, author and founder of Insight For Living, Charles Swindoll said this about attitude, "We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it."



Although it's a simple concept, developing and maintaining a positive attitude is a challenge for many.

When you stand up in front of a group of people and talk about its importance, most will nod their head in agreement however, a vast majority of people still choose to take the negative route.

Leaders more than anyone else need to embrace the 90% and understand that a positive attitude is contagious.

Darci Lang is speaker and trainer who uses her mental magnifying glass to help individuals recognize the good things in life.




Darci joins the next episode of HCL Radio to chat about the role of a leader in creating a positive enviorment and the negative impact not being positive can have on the lives of others.

Darci is also the author of Focus on The 90%

Click here to listen to my conversation with Darci.



Hard Court Lessons - Where developing leaders is more than just a game!

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