Leading From The Heart.

Another one bites the dust. A book that is. This is one "leadership" book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Duke basketball legend and coach, Mike Krzyzewski, wrote a book in 2001 titled, Leading From the Heart.

Here's what you'll read in this book: A narrative of Coach K's (as he is affectionatly known) life from growing up in Chicago to leading Duke's basketball program during their 100 year anniversary.

Leading From The Heart is a great book. And here is why it is for me: Because Coach K describes in detail his conversations, thoughts and actions in a variety of different situations. Situations that everyone - sportsperson, student, business tycoon, employee - can relate to.

The best part is his take on winning and success. I think you'll enjoy it.

So, if you're on a team, lead a team, or want to achieve the success that the Blue Devils have, this is a great book to pick up this summer and enjoy on your hammock.

Happy reading!

What are you reading this summer?

Sapna - guest post form Shereen Mir

A while ago I put out a request for topics for me to write about. A friend I've yet to actually meet, Bhupesh Shah (@ethnicomm on Twitter), suggested I write about South Asians (as I am one) and how their lifestyle and eating habits may prove to be fatal. My sister (@faizakanji on Twitter) also suggested I write something for Father's Day.

So, this post is dedicated to the dreamers, the South Asians and Dad.

I hope you enjoy.

Why I decided to join SAPNA –My story, my sapna

I saw his pale face, wearing a blue hospital gown. My heart was beating rapidly, as my family and I gathered around him with worried faces. It was the first time I had ever seen my dad in the hospital.

What had just happened? My father experienced a heart attack. Although heart attacks are common among South Asians, my dad was unaware that his lifestyle and eating habits almost proved to be fatal.

Like many South Asians, my father loves to eat. Halwa, nihari, biryani, you name it and he ate it. As great as these popular South Asian dishes taste, such foods are rich in fats and oils and can cause serious damage to your health if eaten excessively.

In fact, many South Asian dishes contain ghee and fatty oils, which increase the level of LDL cholesterol and aggravate the tendency to develop insulin resistance syndrome - a condition that encompasses many illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

South Asians are predisposed to insulin resistance as compared to Caucasians due to having a higher central disposition of body fat, leading a more sedentary lifestyle, and eating food rich in oils. The best management and prevention of insulin resistance and its associated health conditions involve a change in lifestyle – eating healthier and being more active.

According to a 2006 study conducted in the UK that interviewed South Asians regarding undertaking physical activity as a part of their diabetes management, most South Asians were aware of the importance of physical exercise, but didn’t feel the need to engage in it because it didn’t fit their cultural norms and expectations. Some believed that their obligation to the home didn’t allow them enough time to exercise, or others believed that they were already active enough because they were engaged in a lot of physical labour or household work.

My father too believed that he didn’t need to exercise. His heart attack could have been easily prevented if he was more aware of the severity of its implications. Although I am lucky that my father is still alive, others have been unfortunate in losing their family members and other loved ones to a heart attack, diabetes or other health conditions commonly found in South Asians.

Thinking of my loved ones in mind, I sought an avenue where I could not only help my family be healthier, but help others and their families as well. That’s when I realized that my sapna (dream) could be fulfilled by turning to SAPNA (South Asian Professional Network for Awareness), an organization that strives to increase the awareness of health-related issues facing the South Asian community.

As a volunteer at SAPNA, I realized that I wanted to be a part of a community devoted to nurturing one of the greatest gifts of life – the gift of good health. At SAPNA, I strive to increase the general knowledge and awareness of two major health related issues facing South Asians - diabetes and heart disease.

References

Barnett, A.H. et al. 2006. Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk in the UK South Asian community. Diabetologia 49:2234 –2246

Das, U.N. 2002. Metabolic Syndrome X is common in South Asians, but why and how? Nutrition 18(9): 774-776.

Ehtisham, S. 2005. Ethnic differences in insulin resistance and body composition in United Kingdom adolescents. Journal of Clinical Endrocrinology & Metabolism 90(7): 3963-3969.

Lawton, J. et al. 2006. “I can’t do any serious exercise”: barriers to physical activity amongst people of Pakistani and Indian origin with Type 2 diabetes

Shereen Mir is a volunteer member of SAPNA’s marketing and communications committee. You can read her tweets @shereenmir!

Friday Lesson - Create

At least once per month I will highlight a business, life or even funny lesson here. My purpose is not to teach nor preach but to share some of the crumbs I've gathered from other people's tables.

At my workplace and business I've come to learn that one of the best ways to attract business is to paint as positive a picture of myself, my service/product and my company as I possibly can. What I used to do was tear down my competition as if they were some sort of alien enemy hell bent on my destruction. In fact, what I do today is heap praise on my competitors when their name or brand is brought up by my clients.

Why?

Lesson - You attract what you project. If I project positiveness and goodwill this is what I will attract. Therefore, if I'm negative (towards myself or others) THIS is what I will get in return. If I'm positive, I will reap positive returns.

This is why the following article confused me. Kill Your Competition. I believe if we all want more business we should focus on uncovering our clients or prospects needs and fill that need. Bashing the other guy doesn't bring anyone any business.

And I think we can say the same thing in regards to our relations with people. Small people talk about other people. Successful (in life) people talk about concepts and ideas.

What are your thoughts? What approach do you take in life/business? Do you spend time tearing down or building up? I'd love to read your thoughts and ideas.

Update

With July just a few days away, I thought I'd let you know what you can expect from this blog over the next few months.

Once a month I'll highlight and maybe discuss a lesson I've learned. It may be a life lesson or just an interesting life observation. I enjoy reading, so maybe I'll share something from my books.

Twice a month, I'll introduce you to a specific person who I've learned from. Some people prefer to remain anonymous so instead of names you may just get a description of their character and why they have inspired me.

I hope you enjoy this new "series" as much as I enjoy bringing it to you.

To start us off visit my good friend, Sameer Vasta's, blog at itellstories.org. You'll find my first take on an inspirational person.

Have fun!


Is there someone who you'd like to highlight here? Maybe someone famous or a good friend of yours? Or maybe a life lesson you've just learned? If so, just email me your story at karim_kanji [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Your Call

I enjoy writing about the books that I read. I enjoy telling you about cool and interesting things that I come across.

However, I also understand that it's also not always about me.

So, I'm going out on a limb here. (It's a limb because I have not a clue how many people read this blog and would want to comment)


What would you like me to write or talk about? The choice is yours.

There are a few "rules of engagement": Rational, reasonable and tasteful suggestions please.

Here's what I will do in return: I will write about the suggestions you provide. If there are any really interesting one's I may even choose yours as a theme to write about on a regular basis.

What would you like me to write about?