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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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People don't need 'empowerment' as much as they need 'un-entanglement'.

by Rick Baker
On Dec 2, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

We often hear advice like, "You should empower your people, provide them autonomy, give them decision-making authority, and get them to take responsibility". 

That's not the right mindset. We should not see ourselves as agents who 'empower' people or 'give' people things like autonomy: we do not transfer energy or power from us to others.

People have, within them, all the energy and power they need. At best, we can help them understand their energy and power and ensure we do not block their efforts to use their energy and power.

We can help people by showing them how to 'un-entangle' the energy and power within them. One good way of doing this is leading by example.

[And, we should be clear about another thing: 'delegation of authority' is not 'empowerment'.]

Tags:

Delegation & Decisions | Solutions & Opportunities | Thought Tweets

Discontent, regardless of how it is packaged, just may be the best vehicle for positive change.

by Rick Baker
On Dec 1, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Some people live to change. For example, some people embrace life-long learning. Others find a lifetime of change by embracing entrepreneurship

That does not mean they make personal changes for the better. Regardless of the life-long learning or the entrepreneurship or all the other changes, bad habits persist.

Sometimes, probably more often than not, even the worst of bad habits remain until true discontent sets in.  


Hiring Rule: If you blink, don't even think...

by Rick Baker
On Nov 30, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

I'm thinking about Gladwell's "Blink". We are blessed with intuition. We should allow it to help us make better hiring decisions. Sure, some experts claim that's horrible advice. My intuition tells me to ignore those experts. After all, those experts won't have to live with my bad hires. 

Tags:

Delegation & Decisions | Thought Tweets

People are more inclined to follow than to lead; good followers enjoy huge opportunities.

by Rick Baker
On Nov 29, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

One of the most graphic examples is mob behaviour. A few mob leaders can inspire destruction and pillaging from many...just consider Vancouver's Stanley Cup embarrassment. As Mark Weber says, "If the bet is between People and the Situation, bet on the Situation". [paraphrased] 

Betting on Situations is, in essence, betting on people following.

And there's that Spirited philosophy - "Business Contains Only 3 Things: People, Process, & Situations"

To accomplish their dreams, leaders must remember these related things:

Be the role model you want emulated

Anticipate and construct Situations

Consequences are the legs that support accountability.

by Rick Baker
On Nov 28, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Where consequences do not register, in the end there can be no accountability. Consequences take the form of rewards...either positive or negative.

Consequences are the 'effect' half of 'cause & effect'. If we remove the 'effect that follows accountability' then we also remove the accountability.

Tags:

Beyond Business | Thought Tweets

The busier we are the less we remember...don't fight it...use check-lists.

by Rick Baker
On Nov 27, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Writing things down: it's a simple thing to do...it's also a powerful strategy for aiding memory and a powerful tactic for delivering on promises. And, that builds trust. So, writing things down provides support for building trust.

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