Leadership Through Strengths and Self-Awareness

Leadership is essential to the success of any organization or group, whether it's a business, sports team, military unit, government, or even a group of friends. Effective leaders help turn ideas into action while bringing people together around a common purpose.

According to Gallup, leadership can be viewed through four key domains: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking. Executing is about making things happen and turning plans into results. Influencing involves gaining support and motivating others, since meaningful accomplishments rarely happen alone. Relationship Building focuses on creating trust and strong networks that enable collaboration. Strategic Thinking allows leaders to evaluate options, anticipate challenges, and make informed decisions.

The good news is that leadership can be developed. Growth begins with self-awareness rather than simply doing more, achieving more, or meeting additional performance metrics. Understanding your natural strengths, along with the skills you've developed through experience, provides a foundation for becoming a more effective leader. When we recognize and build upon those strengths, we are better equipped to solve important problems, inspire others, and make meaningful contributions to our organizations, communities, and society as a whole.

Effective Leadership: What Makes a Good Leader

• Effective leadership begins with self-awareness by understanding and applying your natural strengths rather than trying to imitate another leadership style.
• Strong leaders create clear goals, communicate expectations, and align teams around a shared purpose while fostering trust and engagement.
• Gallup identifies four primary leadership domains—Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking—and encourages leaders to leverage their dominant strengths.
• Seven essential leadership skills contribute to effectiveness: building relationships, developing people, leading change, inspiring others, thinking critically, communicating clearly, and creating accountability.
• Leadership effectiveness improves when leaders focus on developing others, strengthening team culture, and consistently applying their strengths to improve organizational performance.

Gallup. (n.d.). Effective leadership: What makes a good leader. CliftonStrengths. https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/356072/how-to-be-better-leader.aspx

Training, Tactics, Practice, and Preparedness: Keys to Firefighter Effectiveness

Firefighting requires continuous learning. As a part-time volunteer firefighter, I can't make every call because I'm not always in town, but I do my best to attend incidents, training, and department activities whenever I can. Our department trains every week, and we're fortunate to be one of the better-trained departments in the area. Even so, there's always room for self-study.

The other day, while I had some free time, I grabbed a rope and practiced tying knots. I realized I'd forgotten a couple of them, so I reviewed the techniques and practiced until they came back. Skills like these can fade if you don't use them, and you never know when you'll need them on the fireground.

The article below offers practical advice on tactical changes that can improve firefighter safety and highlights lessons learned from real-world experience. It's a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the fire service.

If you're interested in making a tax-deductible corporate or individual donation to support an outstanding local fire department, we'd greatly appreciate it. We're fortunate to have 12–14 young firefighters joining our ranks, which is something many departments struggle to achieve. Donations help provide training, equipment, and other resources that keep both firefighters and our community safer. If you'd like more information, let me know, and I'll connect you with the appropriate people.

Tactical Changes That Can Save Firefighters' Lives

Modern fire science supports updated firefighting tactics that improve firefighter safety.

Control ventilation and airflow to reduce rapid fire growth.

Conduct a 360-degree size-up before committing crews.

Coordinate fire attack using evidence-based strategies.

Promote a safety culture that values communication and continuous learning.

Salameh, N. J. (2016). Tactical changes that can save firefighters' lives. Firefighter Close Calls. https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/tactical-changes-that-can-save-firefighters-lives-2/⁠�

Research on the Bystander Effect and How it Relates to the Allegory of the Clan

(Illustrative Only)

Allegories and stories
help us learn about 
certain values and when warranted
by merit a deeper truth.
You can't buy
a pass to the 
cave but must 
get down there and back
up on your own. 
The poor and wealthy 
are equal in this 
journey.

(Sorry being philosophical.😬)

The bystander effect provides an important lens for understanding our Allegory of the Clan, a hypothetical philosophical thought experiment inspired by Plato's Allegory of the Cave. As we explore the story, we examine how individuals, groups, and institutions respond to ethical challenges and how deeper understanding can help build stronger, robust, cohesivie communities.

In the hypothetical scenario, a minority individual is targeted, whistleblowers face retaliation, and unethical behavior is tolerated or rewarded. As more victims emerge, a broader pattern of wrongdoing becomes visible. The story illustrates that harmful systems often persist not only because of those committing the misconduct, but also because many others witness it, recognize it is wrong, and fail to act.

This reflects the bystander effect. When responsibility is shared among many people, individuals may assume someone else will intervene. Fear of retaliation, loyalty to social groups, and prejudice can also discourage action, allowing injustice to continue. In many cases engaging in victim blaming and other fault mitigating behaviors because it requires no meaningful insight or change (Think for a moment how easy it is to do and why as a tool it is sometimes applied. Alternatively you can think about why one shouldn't apply it. There are motivations both ways.). We sometimes find later poor behaviors were well known.

The Allegory of the Clan encourages people to think beyond their immediate social networks and make ethical decisions based on their values rather than group pressure. Its purpose is to promote unity, accountability, respect for human and civil rights, and collaboration around shared goals. Ultimately, the lesson is simple: when we recognize the value in every person, we strengthen our communities and ourselves. You have a responsibility to create positive connections and interactions (Keep that concept in mind as we explore the social and economic side of hate and corruption.)

*The Allegory of the Clan is a hypothetical, philosophical, theoretical thought experiment so take with a grain of salt. 

The Bystander Effect: Why People Sometimes Fail to Help in Emergencies

• The bystander effect is a psychological phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to help someone in need when other people are present because responsibility feels shared among the group.
• Three primary psychological mechanisms contribute to the effect: diffusion of responsibility, social influence (looking to others for cues), and pluralistic ignorance (assuming a situation is not an emergency because others remain passive).
• Research by Bibb Latané and John Darley demonstrated that as the number of bystanders increases, the likelihood of any one individual intervening generally decreases.
• The bystander effect can occur in many settings, including public emergencies, workplace situations, classrooms, and online environments where people assume someone else will respond.
• People can reduce the bystander effect by recognizing the phenomenon, accepting personal responsibility, and taking direct action rather than waiting for others to intervene.

The Decision Lab. (n.d.). Bystander effect. https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/psychology/bystander-effect

Orange Sunset, Palm & Tree Silloutte and Acrylic Painting (How Art Fosters Tourisms)

 I don't think the painting below is going to cause tour buses to reroute anytime soon. Nobody's saying, "Quick, honey! Cancel Paris—we're headed to his eBay page!"

The funny thing about art is that history has a strange sense of humor. Some artists struggled to sell a single painting while they were alive, and then years later people are bidding millions for their work. I'm not planning on waiting that long, so I keep my paintings pretty affordable.

Painting is a hobby for me, and I've been having a lot of fun with it. I think I'm getting a little better with each one. Lately I've been experimenting with quick paintings because, honestly, I have no idea what people are looking for. So I paint whatever catches my attention and see what happens. Sometimes a painting comes together in just a few minutes—like this one—and sometimes those are the most enjoyable.

If you like sunsets and this one makes you smile, feel free to send me a message or grab it on eBay. It would look a lot better on your wall than sitting in my growing "museum of unsold masterpieces."

On a more serious note, art really does help communities. People don't travel just to visit another town—they travel for experiences. They visit local galleries, public art, museums, Native American cultural events, historical tours, community theaters, wineries, and festivals. Those attractions encourage visitors to spend time exploring local businesses and learning about the community.

You don't have to be a world-famous artist to contribute. Every painting, mural, sculpture, performance, or local exhibit adds a little more character to a place. And who knows? Maybe one day someone will tell their friends, "You've got to see that little sunset painting."

Until then... I'll keep painting, and you can keep pretending you discovered me before I became famous.

Orange Sunset and Silloutte Palm and Ship
You can also check
out some of the other stuff
in My Gallery

If you want to buy
direct or have questions
send a message to the right
or email muradabel@gmail.com

How to Use Public Art to Boost Tourism

• Public art can be a significant tourism driver, with millions of travelers choosing destinations based on arts and cultural experiences, making investment in public art an effective economic development strategy.

• Successful public art programs require a long-term vision, strategic planning, community collaboration, and clearly defined goals to transform a community into a cultural destination.

• Communities can increase tourism by creating public art walking tours, partnering with local businesses, rotating art collections, and offering unique experiences such as nighttime art tours.

• Public art encourages visitors to explore multiple areas of a community, supporting local businesses, restaurants, and attractions while strengthening the local economy.

• Digital promotion, including interactive online maps and accessible information about public art collections, helps travelers plan visits and increases awareness of a community's cultural assets.

Tritt, H. (2019, February 7). How to use public art to boost tourism. B.R. Howard Art Conservation and Restoration. https://www.brhoward.com/new-blog/how-to-use-public-art-to-boost-tourism

University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers July 2026: Optimism and the Economy

Keeping an eye on inflation is important, but so is consumer sentiment. The latest consumer sentiment reading increased in the short term, which is encouraging and represents movement in the right direction. While sentiment remains about 12% lower than it was a year ago, any positive momentum is welcome. Several other economic indicators have also shown modest improvement, suggesting that confidence may be gradually recovering.

Source

You can review the latest survey results below. In general, higher consumer sentiment reflects greater optimism about personal finances and the economy. From a theoretical perspective, increased optimism often encourages consumers to spend, invest, and participate more actively in the economy, leading to additional economic transactions and growth (Keep that concept in mind.). Conversely, a significant decline in consumer sentiment typically signals lower confidence, reduced spending, and less economic engagement, which can contribute to slower economic activity. For these reasons, consumer sentiment remains an important indicator of the economy's overall health.

University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers – July 2026 Consumer Sentiment Update

• Consumer sentiment increased from 49.5 in June to 54.4 in the preliminary July reading, a gain of 4.9 points (9.9%) and the highest level since February 2026.
• The improvement was driven largely by lower gasoline prices, which boosted confidence across income levels and political affiliations, although sentiment remained approximately 12% below its level one year earlier.
• One-year inflation expectations declined from 4.6% in June to 4.2% in July, while five-year inflation expectations remained unchanged at 3.3%, suggesting consumers expect inflation pressures to moderate somewhat.
• Despite the month-to-month improvement, survey officials cautioned that renewed geopolitical tensions and rising energy prices could weaken consumer confidence in future surveys.
• Month-to-month comparison:
  • June 2026 Consumer Sentiment: 49.5
  • July 2026 (Preliminary) Consumer Sentiment: 54.4
  • Change: +4.9 points (+9.9%)

University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research. (2026, July 17). Surveys of Consumers: Preliminary July 2026 results. https://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/

Spear Fishing Adventures in Michigan: Where to Fish, Regulations, and Exploration

(Illustrative Only)

A guy and gal
checking out fishing 
locations for 
traditional hook & line 
as well as spear fishing. 
Read the regulations below.

Spearfishing in Michigan may be a new thing and understanding the rules, best methods, habitate and strategy is helpful. I'm still exploring the idea of spearfishing in the UP of Michigan, and it's been a fun learning experience. I'm also getting up to speed on the current regulations, which I've posted below. Be sure to read them carefully, as not every fish species is legal to spear.

While scouting locations, I realized I wasn't looking in the right area. After reviewing the map, I found that the designated waters extend from the Ford River southward and from north of middle of Garden, so now I have a better idea of where to explore. 

None of my earlier snorkeling trips were wasted, though. I learned where fish tend to gather, which also makes those areas good candidates for traditional hook-and-line fishing. I enjoy diving and swimming anyway, so putting on a wetsuit, taking a leisurely lap through the lake with my camera, and observing the underwater environment is half the fun. The photos below are simply from those early scouting trips.

Trying out the camera. 
Not great quality but
it does do the trick. 
I may need to upgrade someday. 
I paid like $26 for it. 
Seems to work fine
and easy to use. 

Fish like to hide here.

One thing I noticed is that fish often congregate around rocky areas, with nearby weed beds providing additional cover. The underwater drop-offs also seem to attract fish, likely because they offer cooler water and darker habitat. The water was fairly murky during this trip, so I wasn't able to follow fish to see what they are doing, but it was still a worthwhile outing.

For now, this is all part of the preliminary phase of learning to spearfish—understanding the regulations, identifying which species can legally be harvested, finding productive locations, and getting some exercise along the way. Whether you're carrying a fishing rod or a spear, it's hard to beat spending time in the water. And this time of year, the waters of Delta County are warm, inviting, and a great place to enjoy the outdoors.

Where can you spear fish in Delta County. South of Ford River or on the other half of Garden. Spear Fishing Locations

There is a page or two on spear fishing in there. 2026 Fishing Regulations MI.

US Patents and Improved Process Times: Innovaton and Pace of Patents

Innovation and long-term growth depend on our ability to generate, develop, and apply new ideas. One way to measure innovation is through patents, which provide formal legal protection for novel inventions and concepts. However, patents represent only a fraction of all innovation. Countless ideas are never patented because they are tested informally, implemented within organizations, abandoned before completion, or simply do not meet the requirements for patent protection.

As our creative and human capital continue to expand, so does our potential to innovate. The challenge is not only generating ideas but also creating environments that encourage rapid innovation. Organizations thrive when they build ecosystems that support experimentation, collaboration, and the efficient transformation of ideas into practical solutions. Equally important is the ability to quickly apply academic research and industry knowledge to real-world challenges. Reducing the time between discovery and implementation helps organizations remain competitive, respond to changing markets, and sustain long-term economic growth.

Process time is part of the equation.

USPTO Patent Pendency Results: Year-over-Year Summary

• The USPTO Patent Pendency Dashboard indicates that the agency continues to track several key measures, including First Office Action pendency, Traditional Total Pendency, Total Pendency including Requests for Continued Examination (RCEs), and other examination timelines.
• Year-over-year, the USPTO has focused on reducing patent examination delays by increasing examiner productivity and processing more applications than it receives. In 2026, the agency reported that first office actions exceeded new patent filings for the first time in nearly a decade.
• The inventory of unexamined patent applications declined from a peak of approximately 838,000 applications in January 2025 to about 777,000 by April 2026, representing meaningful progress in reducing the examination backlog.
• While the backlog awaiting initial examination has improved, total patent pendency remains relatively high because many applications require additional examination cycles, including Requests for Continued Examination (RCEs). The USPTO continues to monitor these measures separately to improve transparency.
• Overall, the year-over-year trend suggests gradual improvement in patent processing efficiency, although applicants should still expect that obtaining a final patent decision may take multiple years depending on application complexity, technology area, and continued examination activity.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2026). Patents pendency data. https://www.uspto.gov/dashboard/patents/pendency.html