How Canada Savvy Are You?

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

Would You Pass the Canadian Citizenship Test for Immigrants?

Now there's a question that many Canadians have never been asked! We take so many aspects of our lives in Canada for granted.

Let's Test Your Knowledge of Canada

If you were to apply for Canadian Citizenship...

• 
  You would be asked questions on subjects such as:

The rights and responsibilities of a citizen
Canadian social and cultural history (for example, which three Aboriginal groups are recognized in the Constitution)
Canadian politics (for example, the names of the leaders of the major political parties) and
Canadian physical and political geography (for example, how many provinces there are and the names of their capital cities).

The book, A Look at Canada, would help you study for the test. Ask for a copy at your local library, or read it here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/look/index.asp

Ready? Take the Sample Quiz....

To take a sample quiz, courtesy of the CBC, click on http://www.cbc.ca/news/becomingcanadian/self_citizen_quiz.html

Another version:

APNA Toronto, go here: http://www.apnatoronto.com/canadian-citizenship-quiz.html

En francais:

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/mul_ser_citizenship_fr_test.jsp

CELEBRATE YOUR CITIZENSHIP!

After passing the test, repeat this oath:

THE OATH OF CITIZENSHIP

"From this day forward, I pledge my loyalty and allegiance to Canada and Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada. I promise to respect our country's rights and freedoms, to defend out democratic values, to faithfully observe our laws and fulfil my duties and obligations as a Canadian citizen."

What does Canadian citizenship mean?

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/look/look-03.asp

Canadian values include freedom, respect for cultural differences and a commitment to social justice.

We are proud of the fact that we are a peaceful nation. In fact, Canadians act as peacekeepers in many countries around the world.
Canada is a large country with a small population.

We have developed a unique federal style of government that is based on compromise and co-existence.

We value our democracy, and every citizen is encouraged to do his or her share.

Our laws are based on our democratic values.

Canadian values include:

• 
  Equality—We respect everyone’s rights.

Everyone has the right to speak out and express ideas that others might disagree with.

Governments must treat everyone with equal dignity and respect—two other fundamental Canadian values.
Respect for cultural differences—

We try to understand and appreciate the cultures, customs and traditions of all Canadians, whether they were born in Canada or came here from another country.

• 
  Freedom—As Canadians, we enjoy basic freedoms, such as freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of peaceful assembly.
• 
  Peace—We are proud of our non-violent society and our international role as peacekeepers.
• 
  Law and order—We respect democratic decision making and the “rule of law.”

We promote due process so that the courts and the police treat everyone fairly and reasonably.

We ensure that our elected governments remain accountable to Canadians.

As you reflect on these values, ask yourself which responsibilities you will take on when you become - or have always been - a Canadian citizen.

Happy Canada Day!

100 Day Plan for Leaders: Duck

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

100 Day Plan for Leaders: Duck!

Background: How The 100 Day Plan Evolved*

Let me take a round-about, concept based journey to the real point of this week’s column. First, I’d like to share the inside track of how my blog themes emerge. If you’re interested in how innovative thinking happens - especially for leaders - then this background portion may be extremely useful for you.

How the Process of Writing Blog Articles Begins

My side-kick photographer notices "the usual" but snaps the unusual photo. He sends an unsolicited image to stir up the imagination of the creative writer (me). The end result? The innovative intersection of ideas which results in the weekly MagOhZine column.

My husband Richard is the photographer who fires up my writing.

I never know which picture he's going to send as this week's theme.

My challenge is to allow the story to unfold from the image.

As a speaker specializing in "Strategies to Think Ahead", I need to keep my mind sharp and my brain flexible. Coherent. Concise. My clients expect me to guide them to the place where "they get it". Most of the leaders I work with, aren't familiar with the intimate details of how their brains get locked into familiar patterns and expectations. They need to experience as well as learn the theory of creativity, innovation and influencing change in their organizations.

My weekly musings and writings based on pictures, are just one example of how creative thought works in real life. I simulate and stimulate my own thinking style on a regular basis. Creativity isn’t a one shot activity. How could I expect others to do the same, if I don't take the lead?

The Process

So here’s the process (in short form) of how we build the theme and the content for each article. Notice how the photo is the initial inspiration - the metaphor that serves as the foundation for the final outcome.


a. This week’s image: "Duck enjoying shower on a hot day"
b. Research (What do I know about ducks?)
c. Reflection (What do ducks and leaders have in common?)
d. Intersection of multiple ideas (What is the key question: what else happens in 100 days?)
e. Hatch: (Intersection of ideas: 100 Day Plan Duck! for Leaders?)
f. Experiment: Write draft 1 or 2 or 3...
g. Laugh! (If it's not amusing or titillating, start again.)
h. Action Plan: (Write, edit, write, edit more.)
i. Remarks - comments - thanks!

The Process at the Intersection Phase

And that's how we get to the inner workings of how I write this column. Let’s take this a few steps further.

Final Steps...

Title: The 100 Day Plan for Leaders: Duck!

Subtitle: The intersection of Duck Maturity and Leadership Thinking

The research says:

Ducks incubate for up to 30 days. Hatch.
Ducks mature - reach that independent stage - in another 70 days or so.
Total? 100 Days...

In 100 days, the egg incubates, hatches, and learns to be independent.

And so...

If LEADERS could strategically

incubate a concept and a few ideas,

reflect for 30 days, and

move to right action for another 70:

in 100 days, real change could begin, and could also be measured.

My best leadership advice?

Always think in 100 day blocks of time.

The "How To" of the 100 Day Plan: Duck!

(a) Take the time to reflect. Incubate. Don't rush. Then hatch the central core of the plan. (Let the duckling of an idea emerge slowly from its shell. Savor the first glimpse of surroundings, new environment.)

(b) Work on the action plan - who else, what else, how? Research. Connect the intersections of unlikely ideas. Write it all down.

(c) Set up the standards and measurements, loosely at first

(d) Be aware of the "red flag" moments - do not discard what is niggling...find the texture and context of the part that doesn't seem to fit. Source the danger - get out of the nest. This could be the best part!

(e) Look ahead to the 100 day deadline (duck line) and back to measure your growth as you go. Daily. Take notes.

(f) Start the next 100 days.

Ready to Start Your 100 Days?

If Canada Day (July 1) marks Day 1, then Canadian Thanksgiving could be the 100 Day closure point.

What could you and your team accomplish during this 100 point continuum of thinking and actions?

If ducks can fly in 100 days, what innovations could you move toward if you follow the “flight plan”?

Let me know!

* P.S. BONUS TIP: If you think that this version is a repeat of yesterday's Feedblitz...think again! I purposely sent out the first draft yesterday in rough format.

Always leave time to review and refine the plan.

Don't leave your best thinking to Day 99...

Give yourself time to perfect the flight plan.

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Maggie Chicoine is a professional speaker, master coach and writer specializing in “Strategies to Think Ahead”. She collaborates with her husband photographer, Richard, to develop innovative themes for her clients. Reach Maggie at maggiechicoine@gmail.com or 1 800 587 1767 (North America). Maggie’s column, The Tuesday File, appears weekly in www.lakesuperiornews.com.

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

1 800 587 1767 maggiechicoine@gmail.com

Ripple Effects

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

Celebrating Leadership

With all the buzz about diversity, innovation, metrics and personality inventories in leadership literature, how does an emerging leader sort through the theory and determine her own style?

It’s a question that Canada’s 22 formal leadership programs are committed to answering, all in their own community based agendas.

In northern Ontario, for example, Leadership Thunder Bay terms it “immersion” in community leadership: let’s examine the nature and complexity of community and identify the leadership skills required for creating economic and social change.

In a ten month curriculum, two dozen participants discover the range intersections of their economy, institutions and neighbourhoods. Through experience and assessment, they develop high level skills and styles that are most effective in a variety of situations.

“Sometimes its smooth sailing with immediate ripple effects. At others, the conflicts and negotiations are real; that’s when the long term learning happens. Self confidence goes through the roof.”

One group of participants defined “community leadership” as this:


The Definition of Community Leadership
The capacity to see what needs to be done;
the courage to take the lead;
the ability to inspire others to action;
the willingness to break down barriers;
and
the fundamental ability to collaborate with others in the community
so that together, great results are achieved,
far greater than what one could do by one’s self.

I would like to personally congratulate and celebrate the commitment of all leadership program graduates across the country.

Behind their success are volunteers who create, govern
and plan these sessions.

Theirs is the ultimate succession plan for
community innovation and growth.
By leading the learning, and learning through leading, the dynamics in our communities evolve.

Thumbs WAY up for the graduates:
Class of 2008 - 2009 (www.leadershiptb.com)

Jacki Alto, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Robert Berardi, St. Joseph’s Care Group
Brad Bonazzo, Investor’s Group
Tammy Chiodo, Confederation College
Kathleen Eaton, Superior Credit Union
Peter Evans, SunLife Financial
Catherine Hilgers, Confederation College
Stewart Kallio, Confederation College
Sarah Kerton, City of Thunder Bay
Nancy Kos, Bombardier
Nicole Landgraff, St. Joseph’s Care Group
Mike Lees, TbayTel
Kelly Litt, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
Margie MacDonald, Confederation College
Nicole Maillette-Seller, Bombardier
Cathy Matthews, Workplace Safety Insurance Board
Michael Mehegan, Thunder Bay Hydro
Kristen Oliver, City of Thunder Bay
Tammy Orr, CNIB
Tracy Puurunen, St. Joseph’s Care Group
Sylvia Renaud, Thunder Bay Public Library
Rosanna Scaffeo, Lakehead University
Paul Wolfe, Thunder Bay Community Foundation


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Maggie Chicoine is a professional speaker, master coach and lead facilitator of Leadership Thunder Bay. She specializes in Strategies to Think Ahead.

Go to: www.theideasculptor.com

The unofficial leadership blog is at www.xowhat.blogspot.com - check out the archives!

Leadership Thunder Bay: www.leadershiptb.com

Maggies leverage column, The Tuesday File, appears weekly in www.lakesuperiornews.com.

Reach Maggie at 1 800 587 1767, maggiechicoine@gmail.com or twitter @ideasculptor.

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine, iCopyright 2009