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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Communication question: When people tell you they are giving 110%, don’t ya just hate those superduperlatives?

by Rick Baker
On Aug 27, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

When I was a child, neighbourhood parents had a habit of stopping me and asking me to answer math questions. [At one point I thought none of the adults in our subdivision knew how to count their money.] I suppose I was naturally talented at math. Later in life I found myself answering math questions during university level exams...dozens of exams. So, I understand I developed a habit of knowing math.

That knowledge of math has a few side-effects. One side-effect is, when people make claims like they are doing things beyond 100% it catches my attention and my thoughts. I have thoughts like, "Don't these people know when you've got 100% you've got it all & when you've given 100% you've given it all?

Giving 100% is superlative territory....that's the limit of your giving.

Giving more than 100% - well, that's defying the laws of at least mathematics...probably, the laws of physics...and possibly even the Laws of Nature.

How can you trust a person who makes claims like, "Boss - I'm giving 110%!"? [Some go even higher. You hear 150% regularly and some people have the habit of claiming a preposterous 1000%!]

Don't you think all of these people going overboard?...being excessive?...being exorbitant?...over-killing their point and beating it to death too?

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | Humour | Thought Tweets

Communication tip: If you want to teach someone, first find out what they believe they already know.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 27, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Far too often, we jump into teaching. Far too often, we assume others do not know what we know. 

Far too often, we conclude others are doing things poorly or incorrectly because they don't know what we know.

More often than not, we waste time and 'make work' when we assume and conclude others don't know what we know.

We can remedy this by asking simple questions before we give instructions and lessons.

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | Thought Tweets

It isn't about who you are. It's about what you do and whether or not other people understand why you do what you do.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 27, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

When people understand you they judge you more accurately...and - won't that be a good thing?

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | Leaders' Thoughts | Thought Tweets

Empathy - a genuine interest in and ability to understand another person's feelings - a wonderful gift to possess.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 27, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Some people who teach social psychology and communication define empathy as the ability to share other people's feelings; others define empathy as the ability to understand other people's feelings.

I think it is important to ask how a person defines a word rather than assume they use the same definition I use.

A communication faux pas…I'm so glad you mentioned that because I have some important things about me to share with you.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 27, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Sometimes we have such amazing things to share with other people we simply miss the fact they are trying to do the same.

When amazing stories collide.

…or is it, when amazing egos collide?

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | Thought Tweets

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