First, the latest issue of the T. T. Mitchell Consulting Healthcare Newsletter, 2009 CPT Code Changes, is now available.

At the risk of possibly offending some people, I've been wondering lately, as we get near the end of the Bush Administration, how most people would evaluate the leadership of our current lame duck president. To say that the past 8 years have been controversial would be an understatement. To say they've been boring would be a lie.

As some of you know, I have a series of CDs that I've titled Keys To Leadership, a two CD set on, well, leadership. In the first CD, I talked about six keys to leadership, telling stories that lead to my main point. In the second CD, I talked about the art of communications, then launched into 9 direct keys of leadership.

I thought, instead of my breaking it down, and staying only on topic, I would put it out to you folks to see where you stood on this issue of the leadership of President Bush based on the criteria I've listed here. I would ask that you be fair and only evaluate him on these 15 keys, although I really don't expect it to stay that way for long. Still, it'll be an interesting experiment.

And now, the list:

1. Position doesn't make the leader, the leader makes him or herself

2. You need to make sure everyone's on the same page if you wish to succeed

3. You are ultimately responsible for the performance of your team

4. Show loyalty to those you're responsible for

5. Give others the tools to succeed, and you'll succeed also

6. Real leaders don't wait for someone else to tell them to do what's necessary

7. Saying yes, saying no; when and when not to

8. A bad decision is better than no decision

9. Change for change's sake isn't good

10. Learn to resolve conflict by any means necessary

11. Learn to master delegation

12. stay in control of your emotions

13. allow people to grow, learn, & make mistakes

14. people are going to leave; make sure it's not for negative reasons

15. Don't be afraid to lead

Okay, let's see what y'all can do with these.