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Good leadership involves responsibility to the welfare of the group, which means that some people will get angry at your actions and decisions. It’s inevitable, if you’re honorable. Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity: you’ll avoid the tough decisions, you’ll avoid confronting the people who need to be confronted, and you’ll avoid offering differential rewards based on differential performance because some people might get upset.

Ironically, by procrastinating on the difficult choices, by trying not to get anyone mad, and by treating everyone equally “nicely” regardless of their contributions, you’ll simply ensure that the only people you’ll wind up angering are the most creative and productive people in the organization.
Colin Powell.

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Procrastination is life’s way of telling you that you hate your work.

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The BSA PR folks asked me to spread the word about this, so here you go…

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Clear your calendar for Dec. 10.
That evening you’ll want to cozy up to your computer for the National 100th Anniversary Kick-Off Rally.

If you aren’t already pumped up for 2010’s yearlong celebration of Scouting, this 30-minute live audiocast is guaranteed to get your heart racing. Tune in by visiting this page and RSVP. Then use that same link to listen to the event on Dec. 10 at:

• 8-8:30 p.m. (EST)
• 7-7:30 p.m. (CST)
• 6-6:30 p.m. (MST)
• 5-5:30 p.m. (PST)

Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca anticipates that 250,000 volunteers, staff members, Scouting alumni, and parents will listen in from across the United States and around the world.

An impressive lineup of guests will join Mazzuca, including BSA National President John Gottschalk, National Commissioner Tico Perez, and AT&T Chairman, President, and CEO Randall Stephenson, the BSA’s 100th Anniversary Chairman. And after starting the celebration, they’ll all take questions from you and other volunteers.

Submit your questions in advance when you RSVP at the link above.

If you’re looking for a way to pass the time between now and the Kick-Off Rally, check out the 100th Anniversary programs already under way. Click here to see the entire list.

Then, on Dec. 10, switch on your computer and catch some of the energy and excitement at the official opening ceremony of the BSA’s yearlong birthday celebration.

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Smashwords has just announced that authors who publish through its system may choose to have their books distributed through the Kindle Store.  This is big news indeed for writers seeking publication and distribution.  Details of the arrangements with Amazon and its authors are spelled out in its announcement press release.  With this development, Smashwords now can publish to all of the major e-book formats, making an author’s book available on virtually all current e-book readers.

By the way, did you know that one week ago, Amazon made available to the public a FREE downloadable reader for Kindle books on one’s PC.  One can now read Kindle titles without having to purchase the expensive reader.

As you already know, the Kindle Reader has gone international, with its e-book readers to be available in many countries.  There was a hitch with Canada, however.  This problem has been resolved, as explained in a post on the Publisher’s Weekly daily blog.

Smashwords has also announced with the past few days distribution arrangements with two major international ebook distributors.  Read the announcement about arrangements with Shortcovers, a major online distributor.  We’ve already announced the acquisition of BookHabit by Smashwords, but here’s a full announcement of this development.

LATEST NEWS ABOUT BARNES AND NOBLE’S NOOK READER: Barnes and Noble has just announced that its new Nook e-book reader has already sold out, within days of its introduction.  The company is now taking pre-orders for delivery in January.

• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-11-15 http://bit.ly/v2xoU #