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Code Gray & Baker Act Response
Code Gray and Baker-Act Response by Youssef H. is a practical training manual built around the realities of healthcare security work. Its focus is specific: how security officers can respond to aggression, behavioral crises, threats, and other Code Gray situations while protecting patients, staff, visitors, and themselves. The book grounds that work in the unusual pressures of a healthcare setting, where someone acting aggressively may also be frightened, injured, intoxicated, confused, grieving, or experiencing a psychiatric or medical crisis. That perspective gives the manual a consistent sense of purpose. Security is presented as a supporting part of patient care, with officers responsible for safety and scene control while clinical staff make medical decisions and law enforcement handles criminal enforcement when necessary.
The strongest part of the book is its emphasis on judgment before force. De-escalation, calm communication, reactionary distance, situational awareness, teamwork, and observation appear throughout the manual because they form the core of the approach. Officers are repeatedly encouraged to recognize escalating behavior, control the environment, keep communication simple, and use physical intervention only when it’s reasonably necessary to stop an immediate threat. The healthcare context makes those lessons especially important because physical intervention can affect oxygen lines, IVs, recent surgical injuries, medications, and other medical concerns. The book also pays close attention to what happens after control is gained, including medical reassessment, documentation, evidence preservation, and stopping force as soon as the justification for it ends.
The Florida legal material gives the manual another useful dimension. It separates the Baker Act, Marchman Act, criminal arrest, and medical restraint into distinct processes. One of the book’s most important recurring ideas is that a security officer observes behavior and supports authorized decisions. The discussion of false imprisonment, lawful authority, objective reporting, and the limits of a private security officer’s role reinforces that point. The writing is deliberately repetitive in places, but that repetition works much like training does: the same principles are revisited until the reader can connect them to different circumstances. The book’s preference for describing observable conduct rather than assigning labels is particularly practical for incident reports and communication with clinical or law-enforcement personnel.
The twenty scenarios are where the material becomes easiest to picture and apply. They cover situations such as a patient assaulting a nurse, a confused elderly patient striking staff, a psychiatric patient threatening self-harm, a barricaded patient, fights in hallways, aggressive family members, unlawful detention requests from staff, an intoxicated patient trying to leave, and an attempted entry into a nursery. Each scenario moves from the event to an officer response and then explains why the choices matter, which makes the book well suited to roll-call discussions, orientation, refresher training, and tabletop exercises. The final reminders neatly capture the philosophy running through the entire manual: arrive calm, assess first, protect people, reduce chaos, communicate clearly, use only necessary force, coordinate with clinical staff, document facts, and never turn security work into punishment. I’d recommend this most strongly to new and working healthcare security officers in Florida, along with supervisors and trainers who need a straightforward scenario-based resource for discussing judgment, legal boundaries, and de-escalation with their teams.
Pages: 114 | ASIN : B0HGDM8SQD
The Environment Leaders Create
Helm & Horizon is a yearlong leadership guide organized as a progression from self-leadership to team leadership, strategic thinking, and legacy, treating leadership as a daily practice. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Throughout my career, I spent countless hours reading some of the greatest leadership books out there and listening to leadership podcasts and audiobooks while running along the California coastline. I filled notebooks with ideas from military leaders, historians, philosophers, psychologists, coaches, and business executives. Every author offered another piece of the puzzle. Over time, I noticed the principles were remarkably consistent. The source didn’t matter. Marcus Aurelius, Admiral Chester Nimitz, John Maxwell, Admiral Arleigh Burke, Sun Tzu, Simon Sinek, to Brené Brown- they all pointed toward the same timeless truths about leadership.
I wanted to bring those ideas together in one place and make them practical. So instead of writing another leadership framework, my goal was to create a guide that distilled the best ideas into something people could apply every single day. The examples come from U.S. naval case studies because that’s the world I know best, but the principles are universal. Trust, humility, accountability, resilience, communication, and service aren’t military concepts. They’re human ones. My hope is that a teacher, business owner, healthcare professional, coach, parent, or military leader can all open the same page and find something meaningful.
The book emphasizes that leadership is a daily habit rather than something earned with rank or position. When did that philosophy first become important to you?
I don’t think there was one defining moment, but I will say that one experience shaped my leadership philosophy more than any other.
During my first tour as a surface warfare officer, my ship went through six commanding officers in less than three years. Some departures were routine, while others followed highly publicized incidents. Every transition brought a different leadership style, different priorities, and a different command climate. As a junior officer, I watched firsthand how dramatically one leader could influence the morale, trust, and effectiveness of an entire crew.
Then I transferred to my next ship, and the contrast couldn’t have been greater. We had a commanding officer who deliberately pushed decision-making down to the lowest levels and encouraged initiative instead of demanding compliance. People weren’t afraid to speak up, solve problems, or take responsibility because they knew they were trusted to do so. The culture was fundamentally different, and so were the results.
Experiencing those two commands back-to-back completely changed how I viewed leadership. I realized that leadership is reflected in the environment leaders create and the way they bring out the best in the people around them. Every conversation, every decision, and every action either strengthens trust or weakens it. That comparison stayed with me throughout the rest of my career, and it became one of the central ideas behind Helm & Horizon. Leadership isn’t a rank, title, or position. It’s a mindset. It’s the accumulation of hundreds of ordinary decisions that shape a culture, influence people, and ultimately define the legacy we leave behind.
Writing 366 entries is an enormous undertaking. How did you keep each day’s lesson fresh while maintaining a consistent voice throughout the book?
There were definitely days when I wondered if I’d ever reach Day 366. Fortunately, I wasn’t starting with a blank sheet of paper. For several years I’d been reading, highlighting, taking notes, and collecting ideas from leadership books that changed the way I thought about leading people.
The challenge was deciding what deserved to be included. Every principle had to earn its place. I kept asking myself two questions. Is this timeless? Can someone put this into practice tomorrow? The consistent voice came from looking at every lesson through the same lens. Every entry had to help someone become a better leader today. That’s why each day follows the same format. A leadership principle. A practical application. Two actions to put into practice. One final thought to carry forward.
In the military, we have a term called BLUF, which stands for Bottom Line Up Front. That’s what I wanted Helm & Horizon to be. A collection of concise, accessible leadership principles that deliver value quickly, especially when your time to read is limited.
Although the book is written for Sailors, many of the principles seem applicable beyond the military. What do you think civilian leaders can take away from Helm & Horizon?
One of the most rewarding parts of publishing Helm & Horizon has been discovering who is reading it. Although I wrote it through the lens of a Navy Sailor, I never intended it to be just a military leadership book. Leadership is ultimately about people, and people face many of the same challenges no matter where they work. That’s been reinforced by the feedback I’ve received.
Physicians have shared that they’re giving the book to every new medical resident joining their program. Financial executives have told me they’re using it to develop leadership within their organizations. I’ve used it myself to lead discussions with an eighth-grade classroom, where the conversations quickly moved beyond the Navy and into character, teamwork, and personal responsibility. Today, those same principles form the basis of a professional leadership course I’m developing with the University of Michigan, with Helm & Horizon as its primary resource.
Experiences like those have been incredibly rewarding because they confirm something I believed from the beginning. The stories may come from ships, deployments, and naval history, but the lessons don’t belong to the military. A school principal may never command a destroyer, and a physician may never stand watch on the bridge, but both are responsible for earning trust, developing teams, making difficult decisions, and creating a culture where people can succeed.
If Helm & Horizon helps readers recognize that leadership isn’t defined by a title or profession, but by the choices they make every day and the impact they have on others, then I’ve accomplished exactly what I set out to do.
Author Links: GoodReads | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Every day is an opportunity to lead. Helm & Horizon: Daily Leadership Principles for the Motivated Sailor is a 365-day leadership guide built for serious professionals committed to continuous growth. Designed for leaders balancing demanding schedules, each concise daily entry delivers practical wisdom drawn from proven leadership works, naval history, and real-world operational experience.
Recognized as the official partner publication of DODReads, a leading platform dedicated to military leadership, professional reading, and lifelong learning, Helm & Horizon stands alongside works trusted by service members, veterans, and defense professionals seeking disciplined leadership development.
This comprehensive year-long guide draws from over fifty of the most influential leadership books ever written. It integrates insights from best-selling authors such as Jocko Willink (Extreme Ownership), Stephen Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People), Ryan Holiday (The Obstacle Is the Way), L. David Marquet (Turn the Ship Around!), and Sun Tzu (The Art of War), alongside naval case studies featuring leaders like Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, and Medal of Honor recipient Chief Boatswain’s Mate James E. Williams. From Viktor Frankl’s reflections on meaning under hardship (Man’s Search for Meaning) to Angela Duckworth’s research on perseverance (Grit), the book connects timeless principles to the demands of leadership under pressure.
Each of the 365 daily entries teaches a focused leadership principle with immediately applicable insight.
You will learn how to:
• Take ownership and build a culture of accountability
• Make disciplined decisions in high-pressure environments
• Communicate with clarity and moral authority
• Inspire sustained performance through standards and example
• Lead ethically when stakes are high
• Develop cohesive teams capable of operating independently
Read one page a day. Reflect. Apply. Repeat. Over time, you will build the habits, judgment, and professional character required of leaders entrusted with real responsibility.
Whether at sea, in business, or within your community, Helm & Horizon provides a structured framework for daily leadership development.
The leadership journey starts with you.
Lead with Purpose. Take the Helm. Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon.
Helm & Horizon: Leadership Principles for the Motivated Sailor
Helm & Horizon: Daily Leadership Principles for the Motivated Sailor by Steven-Paul Lapid is a yearlong leadership guide built around 366 short daily readings. Each entry draws a principle from an established leadership, history, psychology, business, or military book, then translates it into the language and routines of naval service. The consistent format includes a core principle, a story or operational example, two practical actions under “Take the Helm,” and a closing reflection called “Eyes on the Horizon.” Organized as a progression from self-leadership to team leadership, strategic thinking, and legacy, the book treats leadership as a daily practice rather than an achievement tied to rank.
Lapid’s strongest contribution is his ability to connect broad leadership ideas to situations a Sailor can picture immediately. Concepts such as accountability, humility, emotional intelligence, decentralized command, and moral courage are placed aboard ships, inside watch teams, and amid maintenance, training, personnel problems, and emergencies. Naval history gives the lessons additional weight, with examples ranging from Chester Nimitz and James Stockdale to the crews of the USS Fitzgerald, USS Forrestal, and USS Thresher. Because the readings are brief and concrete, they could work well before quarters, during a Sailor 360 discussion, or as prompts for a division’s professional development.
The book’s steady structure is also central to the experience. Its repetition reinforces the argument that character is formed through habits, though readers moving straight through all 366 entries may notice familiar themes and historical figures returning often. That rhythm makes more sense when the book is used as intended, one reading at a time, with room to reflect and apply the lesson. Lapid writes with conviction and a clear affection for naval service, and his recurring nautical language gives the collection a unified voice. The result feels less like a conventional book to finish and more like a leadership companion to keep nearby, mark up, discuss, and revisit.
This book will be most appreciated by active-duty Sailors, especially junior officers, chiefs, petty officers, and emerging leaders who want practical material they can use with their teams. Veterans, military families, ROTC and academy students, and civilian managers who enjoy service-based leadership lessons should also find value in it. Readers looking for an intensive academic study of leadership will probably use it differently, but anyone who benefits from brief daily prompts, memorable examples, and clear actions will find plenty to carry into the next watch. It’s particularly well suited to leaders who believe professional growth happens through small, repeated choices and who want a structured way to turn that belief into practice.
Pages: 770 | ASIN : B0GHZL6H9N
Educating the Public
Healing Canadian Healthcare is a heartfelt, firsthand call to action from veteran nurse Kathleen Boucher, offering practical solutions and powerful stories to address Canada’s deepening nursing crisis. Of all your proposed solutions, which one do you believe would have the biggest immediate impact if implemented today?
I think that if all the provinces made short infomercials about the many choices nurses have in their careers, it would help educate the public. To be cost-effective and maintain consistency, the provinces could use the same infomercials across the country.
What would you say to a young person considering nursing today, in light of the system’s current challenges?
Nursing is an excellent profession with numerous choices, allowing you to find a specialty that you enjoy helping people in. The more young people who join and remain in nursing, the faster the healthcare system will improve.
What moment or experience finally pushed you to write this book after decades in the field?
An RN with whom I work, who has over ten years of experience, kept saying to me that she did not think she would last until retirement. The fact that she felt she would not last until retirement bothered me, as we need a mixture of new graduate nurses, nurses who have been in the profession for a few years, and veteran nurses to work each shift. I listened to a webinar about writing a short, punchy book. A punchy book, by definition, is a short read that requires a topic that needs to be discussed but may be controversial. Educating the public about nursing and asking Canadians to help improve nursing enrolment & retention may seem like a lofty goal. The nursing crisis is a subject that warrants discussion.
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Life is the Ultimate Wild Card
A Voice at the Table shares your story of overcoming adversities while growing up and learning to find your voice; it also teaches others to understand and empathize with people, encouraging self-awareness, kindness, and compassion for all. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I felt it was important to share that we all are going through something or dealing with things in life. Life is the ultimate wild card and keeps us on our toes. But, when we can be vulnerable and set egos aside we can share our challenges and learn from them. For me, I’ve been through a lot, it’s made me who I am and I wanted to share this story. Hopefully it will inspire others and motivate them to do something and not let adverse circumstances be a permanent road block.
Your book is more than a memoir; it is a call to action for leaders. What ideas were important for you to share in this book?
I’ve had the privilege and honor of being in various roles in my life, to include some leadership roles. In those roles I learned to empower all my team members to share their experiences. Whether it is in work or life itself, we can learn from more voices that share. Then together we are darn near unstoppable. We see and hear too many examples of bad leadership in the news and on social media these days. The majority of people are good and need to hear some positivity, they need to see the good out here. When we work together, regardless of political affiliation, religious beliefs, poor or rich, or the color of our skin, we can do some wonderful things. This makes an organization better and its team members. That bleeds over to our communities and little by little things improve. It’s work though and requires commitment.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
It felt good to write and let my ideas and memories flow. As a recovering perfectionist, reliving some of those moments in my mind was frustrating. I made mistakes and missed some opportunities. But, even those moments were an opportunity to learn. Being able to take a step back and look at what I was able to put together was fulfilling and rewarding. Being vulnerable and having a willingness to share the dark events in life is tough. However, if it helps someone else to share and not be a victim of past event, then rock on.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
We are all in this together and together we can do some amazing things.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
We wacky humans are all wired differently. Our life, professional and educational experiences are all different and unique to us. We may have grown up in the same neighborhood, but our households were different. We can have the same degree, but our learning process and path are unique to us. Even our day in the same office is different, though we do the same thing. This is the magic of being human; we all have our own perspective and experiences. When we give each person a voice at the table we are harnessing the power of all that wonderful experience and knowledge. Readers at all professional levels will be able to understand how best to capture this helpful information and then learn from what we’ve done to improve what we do. You can reach out and connect with Brendan on Instagram @brendankellyaar.
A Voice at the Table
A Voice at the Table is a compelling memoir by Brendan T. Kelly, exploring his challenging childhood, the adversities he faced, and his journey to finding purpose. Raised in a single-parent household marked by poverty and social stigma, Kelly recounts his experiences from childhood to adulthood, highlighting his struggles with self-doubt, self-bullying, and feeling like an outsider. This vivid and honest narrative underscores the importance of resilience and understanding one’s “why,” making it a poignant, introspective, and candid read.
Kelly’s writing is both engaging and relatable, employing a conversational tone that makes readers feel as if they are having a deep, personal conversation with him. The seamless transition from one stage of his life to another is systematic and perfectly paced, allowing readers to process their emotions and reflect on their own lives. Kelly’s vivid recounting of key moments, such as failing first grade due to a lack of focus on academics and being teased for his speech impediment, is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. His positivity and humorous approach help readers manage their overwhelming feelings, even as he discusses serious issues like mental health struggles, PTSD, and a suicide attempt. Kelly’s honesty and bravery in addressing these subjects are truly admirable.
The raw and relatable nature of Kelly’s writing makes it easy for readers to empathize with his struggles and triumphs. His story is authentic, and he skillfully balances serious moments with light anecdotes to keep readers focused on the book’s valuable takeaways. Among these takeaways are the importance of being kinder to oneself, finding one’s purpose, and appreciating the unique stories and perspectives of others. Kelly’s straightforward and unpretentious style, combined with his compassion and desire to add value to the reader, shines through in his writing.
A Voice at the Table offers readers a profound look into the life of Brendan T. Kelly. It is a story of overcoming adversity, finding one’s voice, and understanding the deeper reasons behind our actions. Kelly’s honest and reflective writing provides valuable lessons on resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of self-kindness. This book is not only a compelling personal narrative but also a guide for anyone seeking to understand themselves better and live a more fulfilling life. The generosity and concern for the welfare of others that Kelly demonstrates through his unflinching honesty is truly admirable.
Pages: 177 | ASIN : B0D56WHC2V
Adopting a Learner-Centric Approach
ELEARNING GOLD shows readers the direction that education is taking and why they need to embrace eLearning and not just “live with it” because it is the future and is evolving every day. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing ELEARNING GOLD was crucial for me because it encapsulated my journey and learnings from over two decades in the eLearning field. When I began, there were no roadmaps for online education. My experience pioneering virtual learning schools, despite facing standards designed for traditional classrooms, highlighted elearning’s immense potential and challenges. This book is a culmination of those experiences aimed at empowering educators to navigate and excel in the evolving landscape of online education, which has become even more critical in the post-pandemic world.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to convey the significance of adopting a learner-centric approach, the power of engaging content, and the strategic selection and use of technology in elearning. Sharing insights on navigating regulatory landscapes, effectively leveraging the features in Learning Management Systems, and fostering a culture of continuous innovation was paramount. It was essential for me to provide educators with a toolbox they could use regardless of their familiarity with technology and guide them through some of the best practices for developing and managing successful virtual learning environments.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about eLearning?
A common misconception is that elearning is merely a temporary or lesser substitute for traditional education. From my early days as a young teacher to launching virtual schools, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative potential of elearning. It’s not just an alternative; it’s a complementary mode of education that offers flexibility, accessibility, and personalized learning opportunities that traditional classrooms cannot always provide.
Where do you see the future of eLearning going, and how do you think the next generation will adapt to this technology?
The future of elearning is incredibly bright, with advancements in AI, VR, and AR making learning more immersive and personalized. My experiences, from pioneering in the early 2000s to observing the rapid deployment during the pandemic, have shown me the resilience and adaptability of both educators and learners. I believe the next generation will not only adapt but thrive, using these technologies to create innovative learning pathways that were unimaginable when I first started. This evolution inspires me to continue contributing to the field, ensuring professional learning is available to educators to help them create successful and connected virtual learning communities.
Author links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website Book | Website Author
In Annette Levesque’s new guide Elearning Gold: The Ultimate Guide for Leaders, she facilitates leaders and educators as they navigate the challenging world of distance education and training programs. Levesque, an experienced leader and education expert, offers practical insights and strategies to help you catapult your learning programs to the next level. From building and launching a virtual learning environment to creating effective policies and strategies for operational excellence, this guide is your key to success.
The Elearning Gold roadmap takes its readers on a journey of knowledge, focusing on:
*Virtual Learning Success Criteria
*Digital Age Learning Models, Including Blended Learning
*How to Increase Course Completion Rates and Learner Engagement
*Building Your Learning Community
*What Leaders Need to Know About Learning Management Systems
*Managing Academic Misconduct in your Virtual Learning Program
*How to Plan Your Virtual World Launch or Update
*The Future of AI and Chatbots in Education
Relinquish what you thought you knew as an education expert or trainer and embrace this new ideology on how to reach all learners—especially online. These strategies and techniques will help you create elearning systems and content that meet the needs of learners today and also prepares them for tomorrow.
ELEARNING GOLD – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR LEADERS
ELEARNING GOLD – The Ultimate Guide for Leaders is an insightful and comprehensive resource that delves into the intricacies of eLearning for educational leaders. The book skillfully balances a professional tone with accessibility, making it a great read for seasoned educators and those new to online learning.
What stands out in this guide is its holistic approach. Levesque doesn’t just focus on the technical aspects of eLearning; she dives deep into understanding learners’ needs, the significance of engagement, and the complexities of choosing the right Learning Management Systems. The book’s structure, transitioning from defining goals to discussing future trends like AI in education, ensures a thorough understanding of the eLearning landscape.
The sections on fostering collaboration and the strategic planning of distance learning are particularly noteworthy. They offer practical advice that is immediately applicable, showcasing Levesque’s deep understanding of the field. Moreover, the discussion on regulatory landscapes is eye-opening, highlighting an often-overlooked aspect of online education.
Levesque’s style is engaging and informative, making complex topics approachable. While I enjoyed the book, I thought it could benefit from more real-world examples or case studies to bring some of the theories to life. But overall, I think ELEARNING GOLD is a valuable tool for anyone involved in virtual learning. It provides a clear roadmap for navigating the ever-evolving eLearning environment and is a testament to Levesque’s expertise in the field.
ELEARNING GOLD is particularly beneficial for educational leaders and administrators who are navigating the transition to or enhancement of eLearning platforms in their institutions. The book’s comprehensive coverage of strategic planning, understanding learner needs, and adapting to technological advancements makes it a valuable resource for those tasked with implementing and managing effective online learning environments.
Pages: 308 | ASIN : B0CCNDX3J1
