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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Engineering Art & Science

by Rick Baker
On Aug 25, 2014

Tradition recognizes 4 professions: Medicine, Engineering, Accounting, & Law.

People who master these professions possess special abilities. They are able to quickly identify patterns, see the big picture, and understand the details in many areas under the big picture. This combination of big picture thinking and detailed thinking enables them to be problem-solving specialists. Not only are they able to solve problems when they arrive they are also often able to anticipate problems and create solutions before the problems actually arrive.

Mastering a profession: Is that an art or a science or some combination of two?

Before answering that question it's necessary to understand the role discipline plays in the professions.

Consider the medical profession.  When you visit a doctor do you want the doctor's advice to be backed by disciplined thinking? Do you want the doctor to analyze your symptoms, identify a pattern, understand the root cause of the problem, and present a remedy/solution? Those are the things most people want when they visit the doctor. Very few want their doctor to be speculative, offering inventive solutions and illustrating innovation or creativity. Most people want medical solutions that are tried-and-true. That's their expectation. People expect their doctor to have a disciplined education, a disciplined process for diagnosing symptoms, and a disciplined process for prescribing remedies. These are the expectations of the vast majority of clients of the medical profession.

Consider the engineering profession. When an engineer designs a road you will drive on what is your expectation? When an engineer designs a bridge you will cross what is your expectation? When an engineer designs the building you will work in what is your expectation? Typically people just want a road to function properly so they can use it to get from point A to point B as quickly and safely as possible. People expect those things from bridges too. However, often they expect more from bridges. They want bridges to have aesthetic appeal. Similarly, people set a higher standard when it comes to buildings. Often people want buildings to have not just functional value, they also want aesthetic value. These are the expectations held by people who seek engineering work.

While some professions can be said to be mostly science, engineering is a blend of art and science.

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Thinking as in Think and Grow Rich

Rather than loudly blaring and flashing your products and services, try simply explaining why you are building them.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 24, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Inspired by a combination of Simon Sinek's "Discover Your Why" [The Golden Circle of Why-How-What] and Mark Weber's approach to conflict resolution [the Interests-Rights-Power Circle].

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | Marketing | Sales | Thought Tweets

When business leaders express their difficulties, we should listen well before we attempt to suggest solutions.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 24, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Often, when business leaders express difficulties we either:

  • wave them off and change the topic,
  • reply with a difficulty of their own, or
  • reply with a quick and concrete piece of solution-advice.

These 3 reactions provide little if any value to the business leader [or to us].

If we want to help business leaders then we need to change the way we react/reply when we hear them express their difficulties. We need to listen better. We need to do our best to get into their shoes. We need to think, coming at the difficulty from different directions/perspectives. We need to do these things to (1) improve the quality of our response and (2) build trust with the leader.

When these things are done, then we can help with solutions.

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Communication: Improving Communication | Leaders' Thoughts | Thought Tweets

Communication tip: If you're in the dark, don't make light of things.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 23, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Optimism, Pessimism, & Realism... how do you find the right overall balance and the right strategy for the situation at hand?

Some thoughts:

  1. Overall, be Optimistic: look for the bright side, consider the possibilities, be around and listen to others who are enthusiastic. Optimists live happier lives.
  2. Place realistic bounds on Optimism. Despite what they say about big, hairy audacious goals -BHAGs are not for everyone. And, often, over-zealous optimism injures other people.
  3. Pessimism demotivates. If you are naturally pessimistic...think before your share your views and your body language.
  4. Leaders - anticipate situations. And plan for situations...of course not all situations - but some. Recognize some people handle stress well and some folks handle stress poorly.

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Communication: Improving Communication | Thought Tweets

About Communication: When there's no reason or rhyme it's time to change your tune.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 23, 2014

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

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Communication: Improving Communication | Thought Tweets

Communication tip: If there's no two ways about it, it isn't good conversation.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 22, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Well...it's an idiom wrapped up in an aphorism wrapped up in a bit of truism.

Communication works best when at least two people are engaged in it.

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | Humour | Thought Tweets

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