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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Firmitas, Utilitas, Venustas

by Rick Baker
On Jan 8, 2013

First...firmitas.

If you want to build something...consider strength first.

Vitruvius, a Roman, was a 1st Century BC architect, engineer, and author. He wrote what many believe to be the first treatise on architecture - 'De Architecura' - outlining among other things the virtues that a good building should possess.

Vitruvius taught that a good building must possess firmitas, utilitas, venustas...strength, function, and delight or beauty.

NOTE: of the 3 attributes, strength comes first.

This explains why numerous Roman constructions exist to this day: roads, bridges, buildings, and aqueducts. For example, the aqueduct pictured below remained in operation until early 20th Century...nearly 2000 years after its construction.

  

Aqueduct of Segoviain modern Spain. 

 

For buildings, strengths is the first consideration. 

The same applies to business...

In business, strengths are the first consideration...and business strengths exist in people.

Lead with talents & strengths.

 

Footnote: 

Vitruvius also studied people and their 'construction'...Vitruvius' work was captured about 1500 years later by the Leonardo da Vinci (Homo Vitruvianus, "Vitruvian Man").

From Wikipedia: Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci, an illustration of the human body inscribed in the circle and the square derived from a passage about geometry and human proportions in Vitruvius' writings

 

 

Tags:

STRENGTHS: People-Focused for Success

Getting process right - how important is that?

by Rick Baker
On Dec 6, 2012

Work Process is made up of 2 things:

  • links of tasks done by people
  • links of tasks done by technology, designed by people

The Purpose of Work Process: to systematize and automate work tasks.

Isn't that a straightforward and simple enough concept?

Yes.

Work Process is straightforward and simple when you place it in writing.

But not always...

Work Process often becomes confused and complicated when we put it into action. 

When we put Work Process into action we find conflicting views and approaches to things like:

  • Who should do those tasks and why? Why me? and What's in it for me?
  • How do we improve that process? Why should we improve that process?
  • We need to do more of that process! You need to do more of that process!
How do we sort out those conflicts?
 
There are 7 critical steps:
  1. Ensure your work process is understood: ensure all work tasks are clear and ensure the linkage of the work tasks [the work flow] is clear.
  2. Ensure your work process actually works: that is, ensure the linkage of tasks of work process achieves the results you desire. Test cause and effect on an ongoing basis.
  3. Capture your work process in writing: work-flow picture & descriptions, role descriptions, etc.
  4. Match your peoples' individual/personal strengths with their roles. 
  5. Make a habit of asking your people questions about process and how they feel while doing their work-process tasks.
  6. Listen.
  7. Make the necessary adjustments to ensure your work process and your people are in synch.
 

Thought Tweet #622

by Rick Baker
On Dec 4, 2012

Thought Tweet #622 When it comes to your work - What do you practice? How much do you practice?

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

The best athletes practice.

The best musicians practice.

The best artists practice.

What do you practice?

Thought Tweet #620

by Rick Baker
On Nov 30, 2012

Thought Tweet #620 As a rule, you don't see happy faces when people are struggling with their work.


The Thinking Behind The Tweet

People struggle when they lack required talents, they lack opportunity to use their talents, they lack the knowledge required to do the task, or they lack experience.

Rather than seeing happy faces, which happen naturally when people are using their personal strengths, when people struggle with their work you are more likely to see...


  OR   OR  OR EVEN 

 

Create a Strengths plan - Learn people's strengths - Engage people's strengths.

Tags:

Emotions & Feelings @ Work | STRENGTHS: People-Focused for Success | Thought Tweets

10 hours on the treadmill for every game of golf

by Rick Baker
On Nov 29, 2012

Many people enjoy the game of golf.

If you are one of them...please read on.

The people who are really good at golf tend to play regularly, say 3 times per week during the golf season.

Question: how would these good golfers react if they had to spend 10 hours on a treadmill for every game of golf they play?

Would that spoil golf for them?

***

Statistics show people at work are engaged, using their personal talents, skills & strengths, about 30% of the time. That means for every hour they work in their strengths zones they spend about 2 hours doing work/things outside their strengths zones.

That amounts to 10 hours of treadmill for every game of golf.

***

The next time you feel the urge to play a round of golf, force yourself to do 10 hours of treadmill before hitting the links. Then check to see how motivated you are to continue to be a regular performer on the golf course.

Tags:

STRENGTHS: People-Focused for Success

Thought Tweet #616

by Rick Baker
On Nov 26, 2012

Thought Tweet #616 Will you continue to watch TV when commercials take up 40 minutes of each TV hour?

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Over the years, the amount of TV commercials has crept up from about 10 minutes per hour of TV to about 20 minutes per hour of TV. Will you continue to watch TV when the amount of commercials is greater than the amount of TV show?

Before you answer: Less than 20 percent of workers worldwide say they are actively engaged and enjoying their work.” Brendon Burchard, 'The Charge’, (2012)

Will people accept that sort of mix from their TVs too?

Tags:

Beyond Business | STRENGTHS: People-Focused for Success | Thought Tweets

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