Rick Baker Thought Posts
Left Menu Space Holder

About the author

Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

E-mail me Send mail
Follow me LinkedIn Twitter

Search

Calendar

<<  January 2012  >>
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
2627282930311
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
303112345

View posts in large calendar

Recent Comments

Comment RSS

Blinded by our own Brilliance

by Rick Baker
On Jan 3, 2012

To what extent are we blinded by our own brilliance?

[Of course, I mean our perception of our own brilliance...whether or not we are anywhere near as bright as we perceive.]

An old friend of mine, George, talked to me many times about his early career where he worked at a multinational energy company that continually found itself 'blinded by its own brilliance'. In fact, some senior folks at the company used that expression almost as often as they use the expression 'paralysis by analysis'. 

My memories of George's stories came back to me when I read the following last week1:

"So, what can business managers do to become better estimators of their team members' skill and ability? Consulting with someone less experienced may do the trick." [Sian Beilock]

This reminded me not only of my friend George's 'big-company stories' but also the story of Obvious Adams2. Obvious Adams was the unassuming fellow who saw obvious and simple solutions while all the people around him were confounded by visions of complexity and mired in unimportant details.

We will definitely take advantage of Sian Beilock's advice: it aligns with Spirited Leaders' philosophy 'Seek Simple'. 

It is easy to believe business is more challenging now than it ever was...and it is easy to forecast that trend will continue. I have heard many people say that. I have said it myself as recently as last week.

But now, after rethinking, I have decided to make a change.

I will never say things like 'business is tougher than it used to be" again. Instead, I will spend the time seeking out and getting advice from more Obvious Adamses.


Footnotes:

  1. Sian Beilock, 'Choke', (2010)
  2. Robert R. Updegraff, 'Obvious Adams', (1916)

Thought Tweet #382

by Rick Baker
On Jan 3, 2012
Thought Tweet #382 Courage, Core, Encourage, and the Latin word Cor ["Heart"]…it isn't coincidence!
 
The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet
Spirited Leaders values 'Courage'. Courage is our #1 corporate Value. Courage is the finest ingredient of character. It enables other fine aspects of character. Courage is something everyone can work at….like all fine aspects of character it takes time, effort, and commitment.

Tags:

Spirited Leaders | Thought Tweets | Values: Personal Values

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