by Rick Baker
On Nov 18, 2018
The Thinking Behind The Tweet
Sometimes sour fruit is the best thing to consume. The British found that out several centuries ago and the practice of eating limes was encouraged by Scottish Dr. James Lind. He helped the British Navy understand limes and lime juice prevented sailors from the pain and suffering of scurvy. This fact was known prior to the arrival of Dr. Lind. And, the benefit of limes was well understood when he documented proof. Yet, the practice of eating limes to prevent scurvy was not adopted by the British Navy until some time later.
The first sailors who ate limes were ridiculed. By fellow sailors and pirates alike.
To this day the legacy of ridicule lives on in the form of a derogatory/racist ancestor of the word lime.
To this day, people resist when others try to force them to eat sour fruit.
So, take care when you try to unload sour fruit on your people.
Care taken while introducing sour fruit is inversely proportional to the amount of complaining that introduction generates. The greater the care, the lesser the complaints.
by Rick Baker
On Nov 11, 2018
The Thinking Behind The Tweet
Criticism will always gnaw, rip, and tear at thin skin. That is a given. The only question is: how will the thin-skinned person react as the thin skin rips and tears? The natural reactions are fight & flight...aggression & avoidance.
And, of importance – will ‘motivation’ get dragged into the bloody discussion after the ripping and tearing of thin skin? Sometimes it will. More often the thought will be there, but it will be unspoken. And, as they say, “It's the thought that counts.” I have strong views on ‘motivation’, and my strong views contain intolerance of those who blame others for the failures or the lack of motivation. Bosses have a tough enough job without having to bear the burden of every subordinate’s ‘motivation’.
by Rick Baker
On Nov 9, 2018
The Thinking Behind The Tweet
Why do people complain about the actions of another person?
Presumably, the answer is - complaining about other people is gratifying, it fills a need. But, what exactly is that need?
And, does complaining about other people satisfy a single need? Or, does the need-satisfaction vary with the person who is the topic of complaint?
Self-monitoring: the next time you're about to complain about another person, stop and think. Ask yourself, "Why do this person's actions make me want to complain?" "What will happen if I delay complaining about this person for 15 minutes? Or, 1 hour? Or, 1 day?" "What gratification will I sacrifice if I delay or refuse to allow myself to complain about this person?"