An Extended Metaphor for Leadership

By Brianna L Weaver

Introduction
I have spent most of my middle school and high school years involved in campaigns for social justice without even realizing I was in a fight. Take for instance my work with Project Unify, an organization that works with special needs students and is all about inclusiveness. I believe and champion for those with mental and learning disabilities to be accepted and have equal opportunities as their peers. After being involved in classes with Dr. Lane Perry at Western Carolina University, I have realized that not everyone sees things the way I do and in some ways that is because of a lack of understanding. As I continue to grow in my knowledge and passion of positively impacting my community, I must explore the connection between leadership and social justice.

This article is a way to share how I see the two concepts using an extended metaphor between a soccer team, leadership and social justice. Now, that may seem like a strange comparison, but that is part of the purpose of an extended metaphor: to find an interesting way to enhance the understanding of a complicated concept like social injustice and leadership with an easier more common concept like a soccer team. The positions and roles on a soccer team can be applied to the necessary components leaders need to inspire social change.

A Metaphor: To shoot or to defend.
It can be to shoot for your goals in life or to shoot for goals on a soccer field just like you can defend your goals in life or defend goals on a soccer field. For a moment... let's think about a soccer team. The players of a soccer team will frame our metaphor.

• The Follower - As a soccer player, the follower is likely a midfield player, meaning that the follower is most comfortable playing midfield, and going wherever the ball goes. They also support the forwards in their efforts to score goals, and make sure that both the offensive players and defensive players are in order. Followers are very important to the start of movements and success of them just as the midfielders are very important to the flow of the game and success of the rest of the team.

• The Manager - As a soccer player, the manager is likely the defenders (defensive players), meaning that the manager is most comfortable defending the 'goal', adjusting to change on the field, and is process oriented. The defenders can on occasion leave their positions to take a ball up the field, but it is important that the rest of the defenders shift and adjust in order to keep the team and defense strong. Managers are very important because of their adaptability and ability to manage change just like the defensive players on a soccer field must be.

• The Leader - As a soccer player, the leader or leaders in this case are likely the forwards (offensive players) this is because they prefer to have the ball and seek to obtain goals, the rest of the team looks to them and often relies on them to get points. Leaders are very important because they often the ones looked to for guidance towards goals or in this case for guidance scoring goals.

• The Social Change Agent - As a soccer player, the social change agent is likely the goalie, who is clearly marked different than the others. The goalie must rely on their own skills and abilities to protect the entire team and recover from all of the team's mistakes. They work somewhat independently from the rest of the team and have to have great patience and persistence. Social Change Agents are very important because they put others before themselves and although they aren't always recognized for their contributions they work silently in the background and often have the most impact, just like goalies who often don't get recognition when their team wins the game but without them they likely would not have won.

Parting Thoughts
Soccer is a passion of mine, and I have spent many years learning how to play different positions and finding the right position that fits my skill set. Likewise, social change is an area I am becoming more and more interested in, and as I explore more about how to be involved, I must consider followership, management, leadership, and social change agency to decide where I fit based on my skill set. Just as I have changed positions in soccer over the years, I see myself trying out different roles in social change until I found not just where I am comfortable (because it is difficult to grow in your comfort zone) but where I will inspire the most change.

Keeping Constituents' FAITH: Do's And Don'ts

By Richard Brody

Whether, one serves in a position of leadership, in a corporation, not - for- profit, or as a public official, there is often, a somewhat, fine line, between, so - called hype, and/ or bravado, motivation, and empty rhetoric. While this may be the unfortunate, reality, it should be mandatory, for leaders to emphasize those, they serve and represent. This means, all of the people, rather than merely one's core supporters, Constituents and stakeholders, should be able to expect, at least this, and demand these individuals maintain, and keep the FAITH, and earn the respect, based on the quality of their efforts and focus. With that in mind, this article will briefly review, consider, and discuss, using the mnemonics approach, some of these imperatives, and why they matter.

1. Fresh; facts; fruition; faithful: How can anyone, be a real leader, unless he faces the facts, with an objective approach and open - mind? Merely proceeding in the same - old, ways, should be replace with a fresh look, etc. Consider whether, that individual is faithful, and faithfully performs all the duties and obligations of his office? We are in area, where the most powerful person, in the free world, has been considered, to be, one of the biggest liars, and why should anyone believe anything President Trump says, when so much of his rhetoric, often, lacks credibility. Rhetoric must bring forth strategic and action plans, which bring improvements, to fruition.

2. Attitude; attention; articulate: One must possess a true, positive, can - do, attitude, based on considering all alternatives, objectively, and thoroughly. Faithful leaders pay attention, effectively listening and learning, from every conversation and experience, and must expand their personal comfort zone, by articulating a clear, compelling message.

3. Ideas; integrity; imagination; intentions: Consider whether a potential leader, has the knowledge and imagination, to perceive and conceive of, and service - oriented intentions, to achieve and overcome obstacles, with an open - mind. When this promotes planning for the common good, rather than personal agenda, and self - interest, one proceeds, towards keeping the faith.

4. Timely; true; trust: Procrastination is one of the deadliest behaviors, in terms of quality leadership. Tell the truth, even when it may be inconvenient, and over - achieve,, and under - deliver. Earn trust by consistently, being prepared, and make well - considered, timely action. Be true to yourself and those you serve.

5. Healing; head/ heart: Avoid resorting to the blame, and complain approach, used by President Trump, and prioritize healing, and bringing people together. Using this head/ heart balance, balancing emotional and logical components, position you, to be, a real leader.

Leaders must keep the FAITH, but will only do so, when Constituents focus, on demanding viable solutions, rather than rhetoric. Will you be, either, a quality leader, or responsible follower?

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, Director of Development, consultant, professionally run events, consulted to thousands of leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands of articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead

Ageing and Your Eyes: When Should You See an Ophthalmologist?

By Samer Hamada

As we get older our bodies age, from our skin and joints to organs and muscles, but our eyes age too. When we are young the lenses within the eyes, called the natural crystalline lens, is clear and flexible, and can focus freely from near to far. People of all ages may need the use of glasses to help them see distance or closer, but when we are younger this is usually due to the shape of the eye.

From around the age of 40 the natural crystalline lens starts to get cloudy and more ridged, this means that the lens can't focus as well as it used to. This condition is called presbyopia. Everyone's eyes age at different speeds, but the older we get the more the lenses cloud and become less flexible, and the likelihood of needing help reading or with near vision becomes more apparent, and for many older people cataracts start to develop.

When Should You See an Ophthalmologist or Eye Clinic?

While a lot of the population wear glasses from a young age and will regularly see an ophthalmologist or visit an eye clinic, there are signs you can look out for as you get older to indicate that you need to see a specialist for reading or near vision solutions;

Struggling to read or do other close tasks and finding you are having to move things further away to read or see detail.

That you start to get a headache when reading or doing close tasks.

Finding it difficult to read small print in low light.

Developing achy eyes when reading or doing close tasks.

The above signs could mean that you need to be seen to have a thorough eye exam and discuss reading or near vision solutions.

Reading and Near Vision Solutions

There are a few options you may be able to choose from when it comes to looking at reading and near vision solutions.

Off the Shelf Reading Glasses - these are reading glasses that you can buy at most supermarkets or pharmacies, and even other shops now too. They are generally inexpensive and may be the first 'quick fix' you buy when first noticing you need help with near vision. Whilst they may be a good option to start with, especially if you are waiting for an appointment to see an eye specialist, they may not fully correct your vision. Off the shelf reading glasses cannot correct if you have a different reading prescription in each eye and they also cannot correct any astigmatism you may have. While they may be a good interim option, you should make sure you visit an eye clinic for a full eye exam.

Prescription Reading Glasses - these are glasses that have been custom made by an optician to fit with your reading/near vision prescription. They will consider any differences in eye strength, astigmatism, and will nicely fit your face.

Bifocal or Trifocal Glasses - these glasses are for people that need glasses for near, intermediate, and distance vision. Some people don't like having to use more than one pair of glasses and having bifocal glasses will correct near vision and distance vision, and trifocal glasses correct near vision, intermediate vision, and distance vision. Both options are completely customised to you and your eyes.

Treatment Options

Nowadays a lot of people find glasses inconvenient and find they don't fit in with their lifestyle, but there is a solution for this, surgical treatment to correct near vision and/or cataracts called refractive lens exchange. This treatment is very similar to cataract surgery, where the natural crystalline lens is removed using phacoemulsification and a new artificial lens is inserted in its place. If you have a cataract this procedure will be called 'cataract surgery', but if you have this treatment purely for vision correction it is referred to as 'refractive lens exchange' and will eliminate the development of cataracts in the future.

There are a few different lens options that can be implanted and the one chosen will be decided by your ophthalmologist taking in to account suitability, lifestyle, and your expectations. All the lens options come in a variety of strengths or can be customised for your eyes and there are also options, called toric lenses, which will, along with the below solutions, will correct any astigmatism you may have.

Monofocal - a monofocal lens implant is used to correct distance vision only, where after surgery you will still require the use of reading glasses. This is normally used for people that just want to eliminate cataracts and/or are happy to continue using reading glasses.

Monofocal Monovision - this is where a monofocal lens of different strength is placed in each eye, one eye will be corrected for distance and one eye corrected for reading. While some people really get on with this configuration, others cannot tolerate the difference. This option should always be tried with you first using either contact lenses or a demonstration in clinic.

Trifocal or Extended Range - these lenses can correct near, intermediate, and distance vision and are popular with people that want to be glasses free as much as possible.

All the above options are just an overview and if you are considering any of the options, whether surgical or not, you should attend for a full eye examination with a trusted eye clinic. If you are considering surgical options, getting an appointment with a trusted ophthalmologist, who will go through benefits, risks, and alternatives, is advised.

Samer Hamada is a distinguished consultant ophthalmologist and cornea surgeon performing eye surgeries at his practice, Eye Clinic London. With nearly two decades' experience, Mr. Hamada is recognised as a leading expert in the field of cataract, refractive lens exchange (RLE) and corneal surgeries.

Please visit http://eyecliniclondon.com/

Please call 0800 197 8808 for friendly advice and information.

All You Need To Know About Obesity

By Junaid Khan

Do you know that 'zero size' figure is a completely new phenomenon or trend that we are witnessing in the 21st century?

With the rise of social networking platforms, now every person gets the opportunity to share their pictures online for viewers to see. This has also made people more conscious about their figure or physique.

However, millions of people around the world suffer from obesity problem, which makes them look fat and unhealthy. Today, we will try to understand the basics of obesity, which may help us to fight it effectively.

What Is Obesity?

Many people often get offended when their doctors call them 'obese'. They need to understand that obesity is just a medical term used to describe your physical weight.

Obesity directly means having excess fat, so obese means a person with too much fat in his/her body. Generally, this is based on BMI (Body Mass Index), which can be calculated by using a BMI calculator. In this type of calculation, your weight and height are taken into account to find the results.

For example, if a person has his/her BMI from 25 to 29.9, then he/she is overweight, but won't be considered as obese. However, if someone has a BMI that's more 30, then he/she will be seen as an obese person.

How Your Health Is Affected By Obesity

You'll be surprised to know that obesity might be the reason behind some of your health conditions, such as,
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gallstones
• Heart disease and stroke
• High BP (blood pressure)
• Joint problems due to excess weight
• Sleep apnea
• Breathing problems

A Few Changes Can Make A Significant Difference

Fortunately you can find a way to get into shape. Also, shedding some weight can have a major effect to your wellbeing and how you feel. Even by losing a few extra kilograms, you can notice remarkable changes in your health condition and start feeling a lot healthier than before.

In the beginning, you can make a target to lose around 1 to 2 kilograms every 7-10 days. Overweight individuals should make a real effort to lose 5% to 10% of their excess weight within the first 6 months of their weight reducing campaign.

Are you prepared to change your life by reducing the excess kilograms from your body? Are you looking forward to lead a healthier life with a fitter body? If yes, then consult your doctor, gym trainer, and other experts to help and guide you to fight your obesity problem and achieve a healthy and fit body.

Have trust in yourself! Believe your instincts! Remember, with the right & positive attitude you can achieve anything and overcome any obstacle!

Why Buying A Used Car Is The Smarter Decision

By Jacob K. LePretre

Shopping for a new car is an exciting adventure but also can involve a lot of running around, dealing with different car dealerships and doing a lot of research. New cars are expensive.

According to reports, in 2015 the average price of a new vehicle was at $33,500 and right when you leave the dealership and hit the road in your new vehicle, the value of your car almost immediately drops at least 11%. A new car's value also falls nearly 20% each year, lowering the value by almost 30% during just the first year.

That sparks the question, why wouldn't everyone buy a used car? The reasons vary from wanting you to be the first and only owner, knowing what you are buying and not wanting to do the proper research.

While a brand new car should never be looked at as a bad investment, there are other options which can save you thousands of dollars and the difference in vehicles is not often far off.

For instance, if you shop around, go to dealerships and find the type of car you want, you shouldn't stop there. Keep on shopping and look for used vehicles of that same model, depending on usage and mileage, you can save over $10,000 in some cases.

Many people think used cars are broken or beat up. And while that may be true, more likely than not when someone is selling their old car it is still in fine condition and they are probably looking for a change as well. Doing the right research and working with the right people is important to finding yourself the best deal out there.

Here are five of the best used cars that you can find for under $15,000.

1. Cadillac CTS 2011-2014 - The Cadillac CTS was a turning point for the automaker, making it more competitive by offering a more affordable price along with keeping the luxury, comfort and driving precision of their old models. This midsized car is one of the best options when looking for a used car.

2. Mazda 6 2014-2016 - While this may be hard to find, it is one of the best newer models you can buy used. The Mazda 6 has a great and clean interior, plenty of storage space and a variety of updated technology throughout the vehicle.

3. Honda CR-V 2012-2016 - For a compacted SUV, the Honda CR-V is one of the best bangs for your buck when buying used. Practical and reliable, the CR-V is one of the newer and best models you can find.

4. Toyota Camry Hybrid 2012-2015 - The Camry Hybrid is a great choice when buying used and looking for a cleaner ride. Offering a comfortable and efficient ride, the Camry Hybrid also returns about 40 miles per gallon, saving you even more money.

5. Toyota Tundra 2007-2013 - In terms of trucks, its hard to find a better deal than the Toyota Tundra. Durable and reliable, the Tundra is great for working, towing and essentially anything you might want out of a truck.

Buying a used car is the smarter decision. Not only will you save money, with the right amount of time looking and the right research, you can save a ton and put that money to use elsewhere.

Try and take the actual car you are looking at to a personal mechanic as well, allowing him or her to look over the vehicle to make sure nothing is wrong. That is very important to making sure the car is sound both inside and out.

There are many great places to shop for used cars, allowing you to test drive and check out your vehicles before you make any purchase. If you take the time to do the proper research and proper shopping, you will save on your new vehicle. For the new car buyer it makes sense to buy a used car, saving you money almost immediately as well as in the long run.

Regardless if you choose to buy new or used car, you will want to keep your new purchase protected. Finding cheap car insurance near me is the best bet to keeping yourself safe and covered no matter what event you might run into on the roads. The right insurance company will be with you every step of the way whether that be in a new or used car.

For more tips, help and information about the auto industry and car buying, visit my blog at   https://insurancenavy.com/blog/

Exercises and Workouts - Exercise Modifications To Make Past The Age Of 40

By Beverleigh H Piepers

If you are in your 40's, 50's or beyond, you may be wondering what this means for your workout program. Can you still do the workouts you have always done? Or will you need to make adjustments?

As you get older, there is no question specific changes take place in your body. If you want to continue to stay active into these years, you will need to modify things a little. The good news is if you keep up with your fitness, you will not need to adjust as much, as your body will maintain itself quite well.

Let us look at a few of the modifications you will want to consider making...

1. Reduced Total Volume. First, consider cutting back slightly how much volume you are doing. While before you may have been able to do four sets per exercise for instance, now you may want to limit it to just three. As long as you push yourself on those three, you should still see excellent results.

As you get older, your recovery ability is not what it used to be so a high volume program may be a little too much for you to take on.

2. Exercise Selection. Next, consider your exercise selection. You want to do everything you can to safeguard your joints so choose joint friendly movements. For example, leg extensions tend to be quite hard on your knee joint so you may prefer something like the leg press instead.

Or, rather than going for a run for cardio exercise, try using a stationary machine instead. These small adjustments can pay off regarding keeping you pain-free in the months ahead.

3. Functional Movements. As you get older, your goals will also likely change. While previously you may have been very focused on the aesthetics of things, now you may be more interested in just ensuring you can keep up with your favorite activities as the years pass by. As such, you want to look at functional fitness more closely: this means choosing exercises to perform in your routine that is going to mimic best the movement patterns you use in everyday life activities. If you do that, you should be able to keep up with all you love doing.

If you keep these three slight adjustments in mind as you go about your program and focus on learning to read your body and all it's telling you, you should have no problem staying active for many years to come.

Although managing Type 2 diabetes can be very challenging, it is not a condition you must just live with. Make simple changes to your daily routine - include exercise to help lower both your blood sugar levels and your weight.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of    available information but in yourself.