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From the Editor: Leadership—What Is It? There is no contest between the
company that buys the grudging compliance of its workforce and the
company that enjoys the enterprising participation of its
employees--Ricardo Sempler, owner of Semco Inc.
What makes a good leader? What is this elusive quality called
"leadership"? Can it be acquired or do you have to be born with it?
How important is it, anyway? "The quality of leadership, more than
any other single factor, determines the success or failure of an
organization," according to Improving Leadership
Effectiveness by Fred Fiedler and Martin Chemers.
"What is the difference between management and leadership?" asks
Changing
Minds, a website devoted to aspects of leadership, sales,
therapy, and other professions involving persuasion of others. "It
is a question that has been asked more than once and also answered
in different ways. The biggest difference between managers and
leaders is the way they motivate the people who work for them, and
this sets the tone for most other aspects of what they do."
The site continues, "Many people&are both. They have
management jobs, but they realize that you cannot buy hearts,
especially to follow them down a difficult path, and so act as
leaders too."
O&P company owners, organization heads, and many others find
themselves assuming a leadership role. What differentiates a leader
from a manager and what enables effective leadership are explored
in the feature article, "Lead, Follow, or Get out of the Way: Leadership vs.
Management in O&P," by Judith Philipps Otto.
Inspiring Role Models
Three people who have taken an inspiring role in leadership,
paving a path for other persons with disabilities to follow in
achieving their potential--winners of ESPN's Arthur
Ashe Courage Award and the ESPY "Best Male Athlete with a Disability"--are
profiled in this issue.
New EDGE Department Debuts
A new department debuts in this issue! The "Legal EDGE," by
attorney Sylvia A. Ezenwa, JD, provides vital help to O&P
practitioners and facility owners in tackling the legal issues
facing their practices. So be sure to check out the premiere
article "The Cost of Destroying Electronic Records"
.
And More...
Business metrics aren't just for the number crunchers: getting a
handle on your business metrics can help you maximize your profits.
Michael Alter tells you how in "You Can't Manage It If You Can't Measure
It".
You'll enjoy following the career of O&P legend Ivan Long, CP (E), horse trainer
turned prosthetist.
The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is 88
years young this year. Beginning in 1917 as the Artificial Limb
Manufacturers and Brace Association (ALMBA), the organization
changed its name to its present one in 1966.
This year's National Assembly promises to be, at press time, an
event to remember, with a full program of business, clinical,
legislative, and reimbursement sessions to help today's facility
owners survive and thrive, plus the opportunity to earn 34 CE
credits. Enjoy! 
Table Of Contents - October 2005
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