Useful and Handy Uses of Salt You Must Know

Salt is the king of all ingredients in the culinary world. In fact, it is the key ingredient that can
make your food taste great. Did you know about the other tricks you can do with the salt? The
Salt Institute states that there are 14,000 ways you can use salt. There cant be a more versatile
mineral than the salt and you will agree with us as soon as you will finish reading this article!

In the earliest civilizations, salt was used for preserving the food. At that time salt was hard to
obtain. Thanks to the modern methods of production which have made salt the most commonly
available mineral worldwide and has also made its supply inexhaustible. There is a huge variety
of salts produced for the purpose of consumption. We have refined salt also known as table salt,
unrefined salt or sea salt and iodized salt. Then there is kosher salt or processed form of sodium
chloride into flat crystals and Epsom salt also known as magnesium sulfate. The salt that we
commonly use is sodium chloride.

Since medieval times it has been used as a cleaning agent around the house, trust us you will
forget about your toxic chemicals that you have been using for cleaning and would instantly
switch to the non-toxic friendly, inexpensive and innocuous salt.
This is how you can make use of the miraculous salt:

Make Poached Eggs

The salt increases the temperature of the boiling water, so if youll add a little salt in the water
for your poached eggs, itll help the eggs to set more quickly and reduces the cooking time.

Egg Freshness Test

If you want to check egg freshness take water in a bowl and add 2 to 3 tsp of salt in it. Now put
eggs in this bowl, the fresh ones will sink at the bottom and the old eggs will float. Why does it
happen? The older the eggs get the more buoyant they become, because as the egg ages the air
cells also increases. But do not presume that the floating eggs are rotten, they are fit for use.
Prevents Fruits from Turning Brown

Usually when we peel or cut fruits like pears and apples, they start browning. Most of us use
vinegar or lemon to stop them from changing color. Try this! Drop them in water that has been
lightly salted, this wont change their color.

Deodorize your Hands

So the smell of onions and garlic doesnt come out of your hands? Mix a little salt in vinegar and
rub your hands with the mixture. It will deodorize your hands.

Get High Peaks of Eggs

It takes a lot of time and effort to make high peaks with the egg whites or whip the cream, but if
you will add a little salt (just a tiny pinch), it will save your efforts. The egg whites will easily
turn into high peaks and the cream will get quickly whipped.

Preserves Cheese
If you want to save cheese from mold, you can wrap it in cheesecloth dabbed in saltwater and
refrigerate.

Easy Cleaning of Oven

While baking casserole or a pie, if some of it gets dropped in the oven it becomes very difficult
to clean it. It even smokes and smells bad. But if you will put a handful of salt on the spilled
casserole or pie, it will not smoke and it will become easier for you to clean your oven
afterwards.

Clean sink drains

A mixture of salt and hot water when poured in the kitchen sink, helps to deodorize the sink and
also removes the grease from it.
Remove water marks
The water marks created by beverage glasses on the wooden furniture can be effectively cleaned
with the help of salt and vegetable oil paste. Just rub a little on the marks and they will be gone.

Clean Refrigerators
A mixture of soda water and salt can be very helpful for cleaning the refrigerators and deodorize
them.

Clean rust
It is very hard to get rid of rusts, but not to worry when salt is there for help. Make a paste of salt,
cream of tartar and a little water. Rub on the surface where there is rust, dry and brush off, after
that buff with a soft, dry cloth. Salt and lemon mixture is also helpful for the rusts, if used in the
same way.

Attacks tough stains

Tough stains on clothes? Not a problem anymore. Salt can remove tough stains like wine, blood
and also stains of perspiration. Saltwater can also brighten up the color of your faded clothes.

If your clothes are color fast, rinse them in gallon water mixed with cup salt and cup
vinegar. Repeat until you get clear water.

Deter Ants
Whenever the ants sneak into your house you can make them run away. Just sprinkle some salt
on the window sills and doorways or where ever you see them forming a line.

Keeps Flowers Fresh

Add a dash of salt to the water in the flower vase, this will extend the life of the flowers and will
also keep them fresh.
Repair Walls
Nail holes can make your walls look ugly. You can fill these holes with a mixture of 2 tablespoon
salt and 2 tablespoon cornstarch and 5 teaspoon water.

Oral care

Salt is very effective for maintaining oral hygiene. It makes you teeth sparkling clean, just use 2
parts baking soda and 1 part salt for brushing and see the difference. You can make a salt rinse as
well. Use 1 teaspoon salt in half cup of warm water and gargle with it, this mouthwash will not
only save you from bad breath but would also protect you from gum disease. Use it twice a day.
This mouthwash is also effective for sore throat.

Relieves Insect Bites

If you get a bee sting, dampen the affected area and put salt on it. Salt will reduce the swelling
and pain. You can also put saltwater on mosquito bites, as it is effective for soothing the itch.

Exfoliate your Skin

Looking for a natural scrub to remove away the dirt and dead cells? Use salt and it will boost
your blood circulation and would also make your skin glow.

Remedy for Burns

Salt is a very effective remedy for burns. Just cover the burnt area of your skin with salt, it will
prevent scalding and would also prevent blisters to occur.

10 Analogies for a Great Leader

Leaders of required to posses several supreme personality traits such as competence,

commitment,courage, focus, generosity, passion, responsibility, vision, problem solving attitude and
self-discipline. Below analogies are given for the leaders for their self audits which constitute for
the transformation from 'effectiveness to greatness' as per Stephen R Covey's book "The
8th Habit":
1- The Great Leader is like the Lion: He does not fear in any kind of tragic circumstances and
grabs the 'Lion's share' (market share for his company) and also gives us the protection from other
dangers. He faces the difficulties with courage, meets them, treats them and defeats them.

2- The Great Leader is like the Foundation of a Building: He penetrates enough in the roots in
order to strengthen the foundation of the company. By penetrating means he has strong grip on the
policies, procedures, products and services. This helps company grow more and more.

3- The Great Leader is like the Rocket: When in action, he focuses on the target with full zeal and
zest. He does not get distracted by any other disturbances and challenges in his path.

4- The Great Leader is like the Doctor: Who knows the real root cause of the diseases (issues). He
isanalytical in his approach. He not only take corrective actions in order to fix the issues but also
takes preventive actions in order to overcome the diseases/problems so as to eliminate them
permanently.

5- The Great Leader is like the Train Engine: He has a clear destination in his mind. He makes sure
that all of the passengers (employees) reach their destination. The passengers (employees) belong
to so many categories (low/high performing, active/inactive, sick/healthy, poor/rich etc) however
he takes all of them along with him towards the target destination and steadily reaches there.
He keeps the engine up and running to ensure that target is achieved by all means.

6- The Great Leader is like the Professor: He teaches his followers with theoretical, practical,
pictorial, verbal, friendly and/or commanding ways of trainings. He is effective in
communication and clearly elaborates his requirements/targets so that every single member clearly
understands the target and his/her role.

7- The Great Leader is like the Servant: He facilitates the tasks and paves the way for his clients
(team members), eventually the clients focus on their major responsibilities.

8- The Great Leader is like the Newspaper: He highlights and summarizes the critical happenings
so that the readers (followers) are up-to-date about surroundings and adjust their work related
strategies accordingly.

9- The Great Leader is like the Water: He cleanse the system by removing the dirt, by reducing
the impurities.

10- The Great Leader is like a Cricket Captain: He organizes the players/resources based on the
demand. He performs for his team and not for his personal achievements. For him, team comes first
so his intentions from his team and company's perspective are WIN-WIN.
What other analogies you have in your mind for Great Leaders?

The Goodness Of Honey

What can be a more perfect breakfast than honey on toast? Besides its taste bud tickling property,
honey has enough nutrients to get you through the day and get rid of that lethargic feeling. The
sweet tasting honey is ideal to maintain the glucose level of the body as it instantly gets absorbed
in the blood and gives an energy boost.

Nature always blesses us with its miraculous products, and one such product is the golden
colored honey. This sweet treat is available throughout the year and tastes its best when
harvested fresh, especially in Summers and Fall. Honey is also known to be the best substitute
for sugar, in fact it should be substituted with sugar, whenever possible.

Beekeeping practice for the production of honey is believed to be observed since 700 BC. In
many cultures it is considered to be sacred and was used in religious ceremonies to praise the
gods. It was used in cooking only by the rich, as in ancient times it was very expensive and rare,
and only a few people could afford it. Finally with the discovery of refined sugar in the culinary
world, the demand for honey declined and sugar became the cheap substitute for it.
The process by which the busy bees produce honey is yet another fascinating process. They start
their work by gathering nectar from the flowers. The nectar is carried in their mouths where it
gets mixed up with the enzymes present in their saliva. The half completed honey is then taken
back to the hive where it is deposited in the hive cells. The fluttering wings of the bees reduce
the moisture content from it, thus making it fit for consumption.

So its about time that you should madly fall in love with this natural golden liquid. Here are
some convincing facts that may help you analyze its goodness.
King Solomon once said, My son, eat thou honey, for it is good.

Ideal source of essential Nutrients

Honey is rich in vitamins such as vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and C and also contains some vital
minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphate, copper, zinc, iodine and sulfur.
Some of these minerals are important for the release of various hormones in the body.

Honey as an effective Antioxidant

A regular intake of honey helps to increase the antioxidant levels in the body therefore, protects
the cells from the harmful damages caused by free radicals. The effective antioxidant properties
of the honey are determined by its color; the darker the color of the honey, higher will be the
level of antioxidants.

Effective remedy for Diabetic patients

Who says medicines are bitter? Honey is one such medicine that can help cure type I and type II
diabetes. It has been proven by many experiments that honey consumption regulates the blood
sugar and improves insulin sensitivity. It is well tolerated, especially by the diabetic patients with
greater glucose intolerance, as compared to sucrose. By incorporating honey to your diet you
may get rid of your medicines for diabetes once and for all.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Honey is also known to improve endothelial function, (the cell function by which lining of the
blood vessels is formed) which results in improved heart health. It is also known to reduce
cholesterol and saves from heart attack.

Honey as an Immunity Booster

Honey is known to boost the immune system and researches prove that. Honey has been found to
increase white blood cells and red blood cells. So it helps develop immunity to fight against
chronic diseases, even cancer and also stabilizes hemoglobin.

Effective in upper Respiratory tract Infections

To cure infections of the upper respiratory tract and night time coughing honey is an effective
remedy, especially in children. Experiments were conducted where children with age 2 to adults
with the age 18, having respiratory tract infections were given a teaspoon of buckwheat honey at
night time. All of these patients showed significant improvements. However, doctors do not
recommend honey for children under the age of 2.

Honey as an Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal

Honey is well known for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, here is what Peter Molan,
director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato, New Zealand has to say, All
honey is antibacterial, because the bees add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide. It has
been found effective for the treatment of stomach ulcers and also bacterial gastroenteritis.

It is a natural healer of external wounds and can be used as first aid treatments for burns and cuts.

Honey as an effective weight loss treatment

Honey is believed to burn excessive fats in the body by mobilizing them for the release of
energy. The energy thus produced is used up in various physical activities. It is suggested to take
a tablespoon full of honey mixed with warm water, this helps regulate the digestive system and
decreases excess weight. Lemon can also be added to this mixture to get rid of the belly fat.
Honey as an anti-inflammatory
Honey is found effective in treating chronic arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory property. It
also helps to relieve itchiness and irritation resulting from mosquito bites.

Honey as a Probiotic
There are some friendly bacteria present in honey that have many therapeutic properties. There
are 4 species of bifidobacteria and 6 species of lactobacilli found in honey.

Cure for skin infections

Honey is beneficial for treating various skin infections such as ring worms and eczema. Applying
a mixture of 3 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon on the skin may also help
you get rid of pimples.

It is advised by the doctors to add a spoon full of honey to your daily diet. However some
researchers say that it shouldnt be used in cooked form. The Ayurveda Wellness Center quotes,
When honey is heated above 108 degrees Fahrenheit, it becomes transformed into a glue-like
substance that is extremely difficult to digest. This substance is considered a toxin (ama), since it
adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to remove.

OLD AGE.......how to remain safe

How to stay 'safe' at old age:

1. Do not retire.
If you're over-aged, retire and get all the benefits but find another
income-generating job or open a business that will keep you
active physically and mentally. Travel and bond with true friends,
play a sport, learn a new hobby and volunteer in your community
or parish. Don't loaf around. Your spouse will hate you because
you've become a sloppy, listless bum with nothing good to say
about the household and things that you never bothered about
before. Solve crossword puzzles, play Scrabble, write your
memoirs, and above all, read ...this will keep you alert and keep
Alzheimer' s at bay.

2. Live in your own place to enjoy independence, privacy and a

solo life.
If you move in with your children, your rank or degree of
importance is reduced to that of a bed spacer who has no place of
honor or, worse, like crumbling furniture merely displayed with no
added value. Might you kowtow to conform to their own rules that
are not kind, considerate or mindful of you? If you witness your
children engaged in a war of will and wits with your grandchildren,
whom will you side with? Will they even appreciate your
arbitration? Remind your children that silence is not a sign of
weakness; you are merely processing data that is taking longer to
complete.

3. Hold on to your nest egg, bank deposits and assets.

If you want to help your children, do give, but not to the extent
that you wipe out your life's earnings, singing heroically not a
shirt on my back nor a penny to my name. Staying solvent and in
the black is a good hedge against all kinds of tempests. You will
sleep better, you will not be afraid to express your opinion and
you will be confident about yourself.

4. Don't believe your children' s promise to care for you when you
grow old priorities change.
Many children are not guilt-ridden or filled with a sense of moral
obligation when the wife and offspring take top billing in their
lives. There are still children who would consider it a privilege to
show compassion, genuine love and deep concern for their
parents but be warned that not all children think alike.

5. Expand your circle of friends to include young ones who will

definitely outlive your old BFFs.
Keep up with new inventions, trends, music and lifestyle including
all the scams and schemes you should guard against. Remember
that when you mix with the young, you also open a fresh avenue
to channel your thoughts, experiences and values through so that
the lessons you learned are not lost, forgotten or buried with you.

6. Be well groomed and smelling fresh of spring water all the

time. There's nothing more depressing than seeing people exhale
when you walk by because you reek of Baal (camphor chest) or
lupa (dirt). Old age or bust, don't look and smell like a corpse
when you're not one yet.

7. Do not meddle in the life of your children.

If they ask for your counsel, give it, but be ready to accept that
they may not take it. Their situations in life cannot be compared
to the situations that you experienced in your life. The playing
field has changed and they need to develop their own set of
survival skills. If you raised them to be street smart, they can
handle themselves in tough situations and be able to read people.
Champion and encourage their dreams and desires but on their
own terms.

8. Do not use old age as your shield and justification for turning
grumpy. There's nothing more annoying than an arrogant, old
fool. Welcome each day as another chance to be kind and
forgiving, to yourself and to others.

9. Listen to what others may say.

Do not throw your weight around just because you are a
septuagenarian or a nonagenarian. You are not a depository of
knowledge. Even if the roles have been reversed, make growing
old a fun -filled, pleasant experience for you and your brood.

10. Pray always and focus on your eternal life.

You will definitely leave everything behind, a final journey
detached from burden and care. Be more accepting that, sooner,
not later, you will croak. Prepare your swan song with a humble
and contrite heart. If you believe in a merciful and loving God,
there is no need to strut like a star. Nobody is.
Stress And Its Effects!

Today's world is moving faster than ever! Every single minute of our lives is busy
and engaged in all sorts of activities. We live, we eat, we work, we sleep, we talk
and we read and so on. Every individual's life is revolving around some circles.
Those circles may be family, relationships, job, career, education and financial
concerns. These circles are tied up so closely that sometimes it gets hard to even
breathe! In such situations the word "stress" comes.

What is stress? One definition is: "Stress is theemotional and physical strain
caused by our response to pressure from the outside world. "Stress is something
that needs to be dealt seriously. It has physical mental symptoms. Effects vary
from person to person. Mental symptoms include tension, exhaustion, irritation,
mood-swings, out of focus, less or no sleep. Physical symptoms can be stomach
problems, dry mouth/throat, breathing difficulties, stretched muscles and so on.

Each of our lives has some amount of stress that keeps us excited and focused but when this little
amount exceeds, then it may harm our health and surroundings. At workplace, we often find
ourselves in stressful situations. We are given very strict deadlines; in such case either the
employee is energized or motivated and starts doing work right away! Or employee gets under-
pressure which results in burnout.

We have found out about some bad effects and symptoms now we need to know how important is to
prevent the stress getting hold of you! At workplace, there are demands, expectations and
competition. You join office early, go home late and take work more than you can handle. So start
with "saying No to your boss" so that you take work which you can handle.

There are numerous stress management techniques available online. Listing here some of the most
effective/easy ones:
Spending time in nature

Getting more peaceful sleep

Engaging in hobby/interesting activities

Exercises/yoga/meditation

Living in the moment

Being active

Avoid burnout/over-work/exhaustion

Time management

In some organizations, in-house counselors are available with whom employees discuss their
personal and professional concerns. In case of any pressure or problems with managers or peers,
employees can write to them on confidential basis. After some standard processes and inquiries,
appropriate actions are taken by top senior management.

Things you can do with a Toothpaste

Youll be amazed to know how many benefits an ordinary toothpaste can provide. You can start
considering your toothpaste a Magic tube because the miracles it can do for you are simply
unbelievable.

The origin of toothpaste can be traced back to ancient Egyptian civilization when a mixture of
myrrh, burned eggshells, pumice, ox-hoof ash and water was used for the first time to keep the
teeth clean. The formulae got fame under the name of toothpaste in 1850s. The first collapsible
toothpaste tube was introduced by Dr. Washington Sheffield in London in 1892. His son brought
the idea from artists in Paris who used oil paints in metallic tubes. Later in 1896 Clogate and
Company made the imitation of Sheffields collapsible tubes under the name of Colagte Ribbon
Dental Cream.
The primary function of toothpaste is to maintain oral health; it keeps the cavities away and
protects you from gum diseases. It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day for at least 3
minutes. Ok! Enough with the use of toothpaste for teeth! Its about time you take it out of your
washroom and use it around your home. Dont know how?

Here is how you can make use of this Magic tube:

Tooth paste as a hand sanitizer

Want to make your hands germ free? Take a drop of toothpaste and mix it with a little water,
apply this mixture to your hands. The mixture would not only work as a disinfectant but would
also help you get rid of the dreadful smell of the onions and garlic if you have diced one.
Piano Cleaner
Constant tickling on the ivory piano keys can turn them dirty. You can clean them up, the same
way you clean your teeth. All you need is a brush and toothpaste, brush the keys of the piano
well and then rub them with a damp cloth. If toothpaste can work on human teeth, it can also
work well on elephants teeth (ivory). Toothpaste is equally good as a cleaner for modern pianos
with plastic keys.

Fix Nail Holes

We know nail holes make your walls look bad and you might need some professional help to fix
them. Wait! Try toothpaste. You can easily fill the nail holes with toothpaste, let it dry and touch
it up with paint. Problem solved!

Excellent Stain Remover for Clothes

Ink, lipstick, ketchup! Dropped them on clothes? Dont worry! Toothpaste will make these stains
vanish in a minute. Just apply some tooth paste on these tough stains, scrub them, rinse well and
poof! They are gone.

You can even clean up your carpet stains with the help of toothpaste in the same way.

Quick Remedy for Pimples

Need a quick remedy to treat those pimples? Simple! Apply toothpaste on the pimple at night and
wash it in the morning. By morning, it will be gone. Toothpaste effectively absorbs the oil from
the pimples, making them dry and flattens them. Keep in mind that this remedy shouldnt be
used more than once a week as it can make your skin over dry. Also do a patch test before
applying as some people might get skin irritation by using it.

Makes your CDs Scratch less

Oops! Theres a scratch on your important CD. No problem! Put some toothpaste on it and wipe
it off with a piece of clean cloth.
Tooth paste as Jewelry and Cutlery Cleaner
Now you dont need to take your gold and diamond jewelry to the jewelry store to get them
polished when you have toothpaste at your home. Take some toothpaste and brush your piece of
jewelry with an old tooth brush, rinse with water. It will make them sparkling clean. You can
clean up your silver cutlery in the similar way.

Can serve as your shoe polish

Toothpaste can serve as your shoe polish. It can help remove scuffs from your leather shoes.
Apply some of it on the area that has been scuffed and rub it with a soft piece of cloth, then wipe
off with a clean damp cloth. Your shoes will turn good as new. It can also clean the rubber area of
your fleets or sneakers.

Works as crayon remover from walls

Your little one has been showing his art skills by drawing on the walls? Now you dont need to
cover that with paint. Just apply a little toothpaste on the area where crayons have been used and
rub it with a damp rag.

Deodorize Baby Bottles

Baby bottles develop sour milk smell after being used constantly. To deodorize your babys
bottle use a little toothpaste and scrub it really well with the bottle brush. Make sure you rinse it
thoroughly afterwards.

Effective for Burns and Insect Bites

People working in kitchen usually get their fingers or hands burnt. Unfortunately, if it happens
next time, put some toothpaste on the affected area. The key component, Eucalyptus found in
toothpastes will soothe the burns. (Personal experience)

Insect bites are causing you itchiness? Apply some toothpaste over it. Toothpaste works well for
flea, ants and mosquito bites.

Nail Cleaner
Next time you can do your manicure at home. At least you wont need a professional help to fix
your nails. The teeth and nails are made up of similar material. So just the way you clean your
teeth you can clean your nails as well. Just switch your tooth brush with a nail brush and clean up
those nails thoroughly.

Works as a Defogger
Professional swimmers use toothpaste to defog their swimming goggles. Just apply some
toothpaste and rub with a clean damp cloth, they will turn clear.

Sticks Posters
Cant find glue to paste those posters on the wall? No worries. Stick them up with toothpaste; it
wont even damage your walls.

Removes water marks

Need to get rid of those water mark rings that have spoiled your furniture? Use toothpaste. Rub
the mark with soft cloth and itll be gone in a few seconds.

Becoming a Better Judge of People

In business and in life, the most critical choices we make relate to people. Yet
being a good judge of people is difficult. How do we get better at sizing up first
impressions, at avoiding hiring mistakes, at correctly picking (and not missing)
rising stars?

The easy thing to do is focus on extrinsic markers academic scores, net worth,
social status, job titles. Social media has allowed us to add new layers of extrinsic
scoring: How many friends do they have on Facebook? Who do we know in common
through LinkedIn? How many Twitter followers do they have?

But such extrinsic credentials and markers only tell one part of a person's story.
They are necessary, but not sufficient. What they miss are the "softer" and more
nuanced intrinsic that are far more defining of a person's character. You can teach
skills; character and attitude, not so much.
Judging on extrinsic and skill-based factors is a relatively objective and
straightforward exercise. Gauging softer traits such as will or attitude is much,
much harder, and takes one-on-one contact, attentive listening, and careful
observation. That's why it's important to approach a job interview more as an
attitudinal audition than a question-and-answer period around skills.

Over the years, I have been collecting and reflecting upon questions that have
helped me improve my people judgment, especially around personality and attitude.
Here are ten key questions to help you better understand the intrinsic "why" and
"how" behind a person:

1. What is the talk-to-listen ratio?You want people who are self-confident

and not afraid to express their views, but if the talk-to-listen ratio is anything
north of 60%, you want to ask why. Is it because this person is self-important and
not interested in learning from others or just because he is nervous and
rambling?

2. Is this an energy-giver or -taker?There is a certain breed of people who

just carry with them and unfortunately spread a negative energy. You know who
they are. Alternatively, there are those who consistently carry and share a
positivity and optimism towards life. There is a Chinese proverb that says that the
best way to get energy is to give it. Energy-givers are compassionate, generous and
the type of people with whom you immediately want to spend time.

3. Is this person likely to "act" or "react" to a task?Some people

immediately go into defensive, critical mode when given a new task. Others jump
right into action and problem-solving mode. For most jobs, it's the second kind you
want.

4. Does this person feel authentic or obsequious?There is nothing flattering

about false praise, or people trying too hard to impress. Really good people don't
feel the need to "suck up." Those who can just be themselves are more pleasant to
work with.
5. What's the spouse like?One of my business partners gave me a great tip for
interviewing a super important hire go out with their spouse, partner, or closest
friend. We are known by the company we keep.

6. How does this person treat someone she doesn't know?At the other end of
the spectrum, observe how a person treats someone she barely knows. This is what
I call a "taxi driver or server test." Does the person have the openness and yes,
kindness, to have a real conversation with a waiter at a restaurant or the driver of
a taxi? Does she ignore them or treat them rudely?

7 Is there an element of struggle in the person's history?History matters. In

our research for the book,Heart, Smarts, Guts, and Luck(Harvard Business
Review Press, 2012), my co-authors and I found that around two-thirds of people
who were "Guts-dominant" those who had the desire to initiate and the ability to
persevere so crucial in entrepreneurial ventures had some financial hardship or
other challenges in their formative years. Early failures and hardships shape one's
character as much or more than early successes.

8. What has this person been reading?Reading gives depth, helps one
understand one's history, frames ideas, sparks new thoughts and nuances to
existing perspectives, and keeps you apprised of current events. It's a
generalization, but the more interesting people I have met tend to read a lot
it's a mark of intellectual curiosity.

9. Would you ever want to go on a long car ride with this person?This is a
variant of the "airport test." Years ago at my first job, I was told about the
thought-experiment of asking if you were stuck at an airport with a candidate, how
would you really feel? In a similar fashion, is this the type of person with whom you
could imagine going on a cross-country drive?

10. Do you believe that this person is self-aware?My colleagues and I believe
the most important pre-requisite to great leadership is self-awareness. Does this
person have an intellectual honesty about who he is and his strengths and
weaknesses? Does she have a desire to learn and take appropriate actions based on
that awareness? It is usually a more difficult question to answer than the rest
but look for humility, and congruence between what the person thinks, says, and
does.

Ask these ten questions about someone, or even a subset of them, and you'll be on
a path to being a better judge of people.