Q&A: ideas to turn information into inspiration



	VOLUME 2 ISSUE 17

The Greeks celebrated with honey cakes, fine drinks and flowers at dawn. In India, a 10-day festival known as Durga Puja is held in October. French children practice a special poem. And many Spanish children make gifts. What is the subject of all these celebrations?

A. Family pets
B. Vernal equinox
C. Moms
D. Independence

Click here for the Quiz answer.

1 May 1961 – Fidel Castro announces an end to elections in Cuba. Radio Havana was founded.

5 May 1925 – Biology teacher John Scopes is arrested for teaching Darwin's Theory of Evolution.

16 May 1943 - In Poland, the Warsaw Ghetto uprising comes to an end as Nazi soldiers gain control of Warsaw's Jewish ghetto.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Leadership: Do you have what it takes to be the PIC?

If you're wondering how you measure up, you're already thinking like a PIC or Person in Charge. Leaders — even those with different styles and perspectives — tend to be reflective and have a sense of self awareness, says Nelson Fabian in the Journal of Environmental Health article "Leadership — What Is It and Are You Headed for it?". A wealth of information exists to help leaders and aspiring leaders hone their skills and gain critical insights.

Check out Leadership for Leaders, Leading Minds – An Anatomy of Leadership, and Gurus on Leadership for lessons from those at the helm. Work through the practical exercises in Learning to Lead: A Workbook on Becoming a Leader. Discover the Leadership Secrets of Elizabeth I, whose "commitment, excellence, focus, teamwork, communication and fairness" make her a strong role model for leaders in the 21st century, according to authors Pamela Gilberd and Shaun Higgins. Still not sure if you have what it takes to rise to the top? An online self-assessment test from Teacher's College – Columbia University will help you evaluate The Nature of Your Leadership and determine next steps in your leadership development.

Don't settle for hit or miss search results

Have you ever tried to do an online search and gotten results that seemed to have nothing to do with your query? Search engine results are returned ranked by confidence or relevance, and different search engines can return different results on the same search. Understanding how search engines determine relevance can improve your odds of search success. Learn how to figure out which search engines are most likely to deliver the results you need.
Do it Write

I have to give a speech? Oh no!

The mere thought of speaking before any audience is enough to turn many of us to jelly. In fact, public speaking ranks among the top fears for people around the world. But since face-to-face communication is the best way to deliver a message, it's important to learn how to do it well. Learn how to master the first step in becoming an effective (and more comfortable) speaker: preparing a good speech. Ask Nancy

Dear Nancy,

Sometimes my research uncovers words or other things I don't completely understand, so — before I can continue — I need to stop and search for a resource which provides a definition or further explanation. Can Questia help me find reliable answers more quickly?

Seeking Enlightenment in Serravalle

Click here for Nancy's response.