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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Thought Tweet #595

by Rick Baker
On Oct 26, 2012

Thought Tweet #595 Don't thumb your nose at the grindstone.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

If you cannot put your nose to the grindstone, you might be tempted to thumb your nose at it.

Thumbing noses at good-old-fashioned hard work is not a good strategy.

Quality work ethic is an important part of a life well lived.

Some say work mastery is bliss. 

Tags:

Emotions & Feelings @ Work | Humour | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #594

by Rick Baker
On Oct 25, 2012

Thought Tweet #594 When there's no reason or rhyme it's time to change the tune.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Human beings are biased creatures. One bias is known as the rhyme-as-reason effect.

According to Wikipedia -

"The rhyme-as-reason effect is a cognitive bias whereupon a saying or aphorism is judged as more accurate or truthful when it is rewritten to rhyme." And "For an example of the persuasive quality of the rhyme-as-reason effect, see "if it doesn't fit, you must acquit," the signature phrase used by Johnnie Cochran to gain acquittal for O.J. Simpson in Simpson's murder trial."

Consider the rhyme-as-reason bias when you:

  • create leader's messages
  • create marketing communications

 

 

Tags:

Humour | Leaders' Thoughts | Marketing | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #593

by Rick Baker
On Oct 24, 2012

Thought Tweet #593 Speak of the devil's advocate...better still, bite your tongue.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Constructive criticism is an oxymoron.

Devil's Advocates ... here's an excerpt from Wikipedia:

"In common parlance, a devil's advocate is someone who, given a certain argument, takes a position he or she does not necessarily agree with, for the sake of argument."

Those words - "Devil's Advocate" have a nasty connotation....we should not use them or the practice they capture.

Instead, consider using a planned strategy for seeking different perspectives when large problems are to be solved and important decisions are to be made.

Try, for example, using Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats

Thought Tweet #592

by Rick Baker
On Oct 23, 2012

Thought Tweet #592 An ounce of predilection is worth a pound of objection.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Human beings are biased creatures. Our minds are geared to recognize patterns and, sometimes, our minds jump to conclusions. As one example, this happens when we accurately identify a piece of information but conclude, inaccurately, it is part of a certain pattern. In common words, we call that "jumping to conclusions."

When we jump to conclusions we use one piece of information to reach an inaccurate conclusion. 

This was a real benefit in prehistoric times...jumping to conclusions saved lives.

In business, often, jumping to conclusions is more problem than benefit.

Sometimes, when we jump to conclusions, we also try to foist our inaccurate conclusions on others. If we happen to be a leader who does this then an ounce of our jumping to conclusions can offset a pound of followers' objections...and this, over time, kills followers' spirit.

[That's the reality of position power.]

Tags:

Brain: about the Human Brain | Humour | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #582

by Rick Baker
On Oct 9, 2012

Thought Tweet #582 Ignorance is bliss; enlightenment is bliss: only the working in between is challenging.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

For some reason, we have an old saying, "Ignorance is bliss." Obviously, that's an exaggeration...or is it?

At the other end of the spectrum, many gurus have taught, "Enlightenment is bliss." I think that may be true...however, not having reached that state I cannot say for sure.

Yes - work is challenging...it tests us, it resists our desires, and it strengthens us. 

And perhaps, as James Allen taught, perfection and work-mastery bring bliss as work-challenges vanish.

Tags:

Beyond Business | Humour | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #580

by Rick Baker
On Oct 5, 2012

Thought Tweet #580 Maybe, curiosity kills cats; definitely, curiosity motivates people.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Perhaps, many animals are curious. Certainly, some are...cats have a reputation for it. Human beings must be the most curious animal on Earth. Curiosity is in our DNA. Curiosity is the root of innovation, invention, and creativity.

[I don't think curiosity kills cats...it just makes them very interesting.]

Tags:

Curiosity - Invention, Innovation & Creativity | Humour | Thought Tweets

Copyright © 2012. W.F.C (Rick) Baker. All Rights Reserved.