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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Multi-task for mediocrity or focus for excellence.

by Rick Baker
On Apr 20, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Brain experts are telling us: The uptrend in multi-tasking, especially multi-tasking involving high-tech communication devices, is changing neural patterns by strengthening some paths and weakening others. The neural paths that allow us to talk on the cell phone while surfing the web or creating a spreadsheet are strengthening while the neural paths that allow us to focus and concentrate are taking a back seat.

As this trend continues huge numbers of human beings will be able to do huge amounts of mediocre stuff.

We have a choice: we can choose to multi-task our way to mediocrity or we can focus & concentrate for work-performance excellence.

Put another way: we can choose to multi-task or we can choose to task-multi. [And major success only happens when we choose the latter.]

 

Criticism, Adrenalin Spikes & Improving Relationships

by Rick Baker
On May 15, 2017

Some people naturally repulse criticism. These people may show outward signs of their repulsion. These people may not show outward signs, or their repulsion may hide so well it would take a professional observer to notice it. Regardless, internally, these people churn in reaction to criticism. For these people - even small, innocuous pieces of feedback can trigger intense internal reactions, floods of adrenalin – adrenalin spikes.

  1. Do you know people who show vehement reaction to tiny criticisms…people who have zero tolerance for incoming criticism?
  2. Do you know people who, at first, show no outward reaction to criticism then, later, strike excessive reactionary blows against the person who delivered the criticism?
  3. Do you know people who have the habit of claiming they are the victim of undue criticism?
  4. Do you know people who repulse criticism yet deliver it to others with gusto and righteousness?

These are four common reactions to criticism.

I have personally exhibited at least three of these four reactions to criticism…and, probably, many people would think I’m selling myself short by not admitting to all four.

Why?

Why would I have had such reactions to criticism?

Not having much knowledge of physiology or biology and only dabbling experience with psychology I answer that question this way:

  • When people criticized me, I experienced adrenalin spikes [or was that cortisol?]. I felt strong, churning, tightening sensations in the gut…quickly followed by combinations of anxiety and anger, often intense anger...then excessive negative thoughts and behaviour.
  • This reaction must have started when I was a very young child. I have no memory of reacting any other way to criticism [until the last decade, that is].
  • Perhaps, my criticism-repulsion was are due to genetics? Perhaps, my childhood environment? Perhaps, my early experiences with authority figures? I expect it was some combination of these things.

Here’s a curious thing. When you experience criticism-repulsion as a child you can be quite oblivious to other people. And, this can cause challenges…a large variety of interpersonal challenges. Left unattended, these interpersonal challenges can last a lifetime.

Here’s some good news. It is possible to gain self-understanding and create strategies to overcome the interpersonal challenges. The starting point, or at least one starting point, is recognition of the physiological changes that signal less-than-ideal reactions to criticism. People, perhaps most people, can alter their bad habits [including adrenalin spikes] if they choose to make the changes and do the work required.

 

PS: Perhaps, the people who experience the criticism-repulsion I have described are most capable of identifying it in other people? ... and helping others?  

People. Icebergs.

by Rick Baker
On Apr 18, 2017

When we observe people, we observe the equivalent of the tip of the iceberg.

We observe people's Actions. We observe their vocal actions, their body language, and the wide variety of their other physical actions. Yes, to various degrees we have hunches - intuitions - which allow us to sense things beyond their actions. Regardless, for the most part, our perceptions of people are based on our observations of their Actions.

And, that's like looking at the tip of an iceberg.

Here's how I see it...

We observe a person's Actions. The person's Actions create in our minds perceptions of the person's Energy, Thoughts, Talents, Self-Control, Intelligence, and Emotions. And, those are the most important things people possess beyond the Actions we observe. These 7 things - Actions, Energy, Thoughts, Talents, Self-Control, Intelligence, and Emotions - are the essence of human beings. One of the facets that make up the essence - Action - is visible to other people. The other 6 facets are hidden from others and it is often difficult to understand their nature in self let alone in others.

Energy is perhaps closest to the surface. Certainly, Energy is closely tied to Actions. When we see an energetic person it registers. Sometimes, high-energy Action impresses us immensely and moves us deeply. As examples, we are impressed by energetic athletic performances and moved deeply by energetic musical performances. Sometimes, the energy is much more subtle yet of equally powerful impact. For example, we can be moved deeply by poetry. Perhaps - or, should I say likely - our perceptions of another person's energy are more reliable than our perceptions of the 6 underlying facets. In most situations, when we see little evidence of energy in others we conclude they are resting, or they are lazy, or they are ill. In certain situations, we interpret other people's lack of energy as a signal they are thinking or meditating. But, often a lack of evidence of energy is interpreted to be a negative signal. Evidence of action, particularly energetic action, can be interpreted in many ways...ranging from very bad to very good...depending on our values and our other judgement factors and how the other person's actions align with our values and judgements.

Thoughts come in many forms. Desires are thoughts, as are goals and ambitions. Feelings are thoughts tied to Emotions and desires. When feelings last for extended periods, say a day or so, they become moods. When we lose the ability to control our feelings and other thoughts within 'reasonable/normal' boundaries moods transform into mental states such as clinical depression, mania, dementia, paranoia, etc. Some thoughts are good, some are bad. The easiest way to draw the line between good and bad is to ask the question, "Does this thought help me achieve my long-term goals?" If the answer is "Yes" then the thought is a good thought. If the answer is "Maybe" or "No" then the thought is a bad thought. Habits straddle Thoughts and Actions. Habits are Thoughts [including feelings] and Actions that are repeated. And good habits are repeated thoughts or actions that take us towards our long-term goals while bad habits do not. There is a strong link between the Thoughts and Actions that form a person's good habits. Good-habit Actions are the result of repeated cerebral cortex activity...repeated so frequently they become resistant to Emotions. Habits are closely tied to Self-Control.

Talents are innate. Some [if not most & perhaps even all] are genetic in origin, gifts from our parents and their ancestors. Talents respond well to strong, supportive early-childhood influences. For example, innate musical Talents can blossom into gifted Action at a very early age when supported by masterful coaching. Gretzky and Mozart come to mind. Yet Talents can also be suppressed and buried at an early age, never to be discovered. Processes exist to help us discover our Talents. Some are simple. For example, there is a close linkage between our feelings and our Talents. When we are feeling good and are enthusiastic while performing Actions, that's a signal that Talents could be at work. Conversely, when we have negative feelings while doing tasks and processes that could be a signal the Action is outside our Talent zone. Talents do not show up as Action unless they have the opportunity to do so. Talents do not show up as strengths [task and process mastery] unless they are combined with specialized knowledge and practised skills. The amount of practice is large. That requires commitment and persistence, so Self-Control is essential to strength - mastery of Action. When we observe other people illustrating mastery of Action, we can assume they have talent, knowledge, and skill in that area. We can assume the Action mastery required Thought and Self-Control.

Self-Control is a magnificent facet. It is reasonable to assume it has some genetic roots. However, clearly, it can be influenced by environmental factors. Social psychologists have proven situations and 'role models' play a huge role in human behaviour. Philosophers and psychologists have argued both for and against power of will. Psychologists have added texture to Self-Control, differentiating between short-term 'self-control' and long-term 'grit'. Regardless, for this introductory discussion, the ability to exercise will power is the same as the ability to exercise Self-Control and if these things cannot be exercised over the long term then their value is limited. Self-Control is the ingredient that allows the other 5 hidden facets and the resulting Actions to generate success. Self-Control consumes energy as bad habits are replaced with new things and good habits. Self-Control conserves energy when good habits are firmly in place. Self-Control enables Intelligence to gain ground, slowly over time and with repetition of focused Thought, over Emotions and unfocused Thought. Self-Control funnels energy to Talents so they have the opportunity to be exposed for long periods to the practice required to master the skills of Action. 

Intelligence is the quality and amount of information we have stored in and can retrieve from our brains...as measured by others' perceptions of our Actions. Intelligence has both IQ and EQ components. When we have information in our minds and cannot retrieve it and convert it into Action that information is knowledge, not Intelligence. Human Intelligence only exists when it is perceived by other people. And, it can only be perceived when it manifests itself into physical form - and that means Action. Unfortunately, people's perceptions are influenced by a range of biases...literally, hundreds of biases. With that understood, there is little chance for one's Intelligence to be accurately understood or measured by other people. People observe our Actions. Their observations and perceptions of our Actions determine their opinion of our Intelligence. Yes - IQ tests are directionally correct within the limitations of a biased, narrow, and restrictive range. The same holds true for EQ tests. In the real world, people observe our Actions- they observe what we say and what we do - and they draw conclusions around our Intelligence [which they being biased, typically, underestimate].

Emotions are vestiges of pre-history. They are automatic chemical/electrical/physiological responses, largely outside of consciousness. They

occur quickly and are of short duration. In modern days of business, where fight or flight are generally not appropriate responses, they do us little good. Yet, Emotions live on and are deeply rooted in our subconscious minds. They are deep-rooted in the mind of the person doing the Action. And, they can influence Action. At the same time, Emotions are also deep-rooted in the mind of the person who observes the Action. So, they can also influence the perception of the observer. Emotions, somehow, support the formation and maintenance of bad habits...Emotions work against positive change. There is evidence confirming Intelligence and Self-Control can focus Energy and Thoughts to offset the awesome natural power of Emotions. This works best when Talents are in play. 

Summing up...

When we observe other people's Actions we need to remember we are observing the tip of an iceberg. And, we need to remember our perceptions are skewed by numerous biases. We need to take time to make judgements of other people's motives and abilities. We need to communicate more clearly and work to understand other people. We need to ask good questions and listen well to the answers. We need to extend more trust. We need to invest in building stronger relationships.

 

 First posted December 12, 2013

‘Real trust’ requires no thought; ‘Synthetic trust’ requires much careful thought.

by Rick Baker
On Dec 27, 2016
Simon Sinek wrote, “Trust is like love. Both parties have to feel it before it really exists.”
 
I read Simon’s ‘daily inspiration messages’ and from time to time his thoughts cause me to stop and think. For example – the above message immediately struck me as worthy of thought…because I immediately disagreed with it and felt a need to think through my views and why they contrast Simon’s.
 
I do not believe trust has to walk on a two-way street. 

Certainly, trust often does. And – no question or argument - trust is a wonderful and powerful thing when it is reciprocated. However, I don’t think it has to be reciprocated to ‘really exist’. 

It seems to me states of mind including belieffaith and trust are very close relatives and:
  • we can believe in something or someone without them necessarily reciprocating; we believe in our heroes while the most of them do not even know of us let alone believe in us
  • we place faith in people and God/gods while not necessarily expecting he/she/they has/have faith in us; perhaps or likely we think expectations are placed on us, but we do not go as far as thinking our extension of faith is reciprocated
  • we – some of us – are trusting by nature and we trust people until they prove themselves not worthy of our trust; regardless - our extension of trust seems real to us
Now – about comparing trust and love
 
Here’s one thought: Many great poets, storytellers and songwriters have banked on the reality of unrequited love. 
 
Now – about reality and what really exists…
 
Here are a few thoughts: ‘perception is reality’ and ‘perception is not reality’…obviously this is confusing territory...if we want to draw reality into our discussions we must be prepared to enter the realm of philosophers, brain scientists and physicists. 
 
The moral of this Thought Post… 
 
‘Real trust' requires no thought; ‘Synthetic trust' requires much careful thought. 'Real trust' is much better than 'Synthetic trust'. In reality, neither 'real trust' nor 'synthetic trust' are real: rather, they are perceptions...perceptions in singular brain-minds. 

10 Thoughts for Keeping Good People

by Rick Baker
On Nov 15, 2016
  1. Have Culture - if it isn't defined it will define itself
  2. Give Compliments - everyone wants to use talents to create value...and get regular pats on the back
  3. Embrace Communication - especially listening; especially not criticizing
  4. Show desire for industry leadership; embrace differences and change-for-the-better
  5. Show excitement around not-Routine work: nurture curiosity; build skills for innovation and creativity
  6. Show lots of organization, talk little about it - illustrate process clarity
  7. Nip performance problems in the bud: it's about courage, confidence, conviction & communication
  8. Don't fall into the attribution-bias trap: keep egos, especially your own, in check
  9. Don't confuse personality mismatch with role/task incompetence
  10. Train the brain: the leader's job is thinking; thinking is the catalyst for progress...think...pass it on

Our brains are amazing tools…what an understatement!

by Rick Baker
On Mar 23, 2016

Our bodies are amazing tools...one fascinating example, our bodies deliver energy to us when we experience stressful situations. 

Our brains are the most-sophisticated part of our bodies!  Our brains, particularly the pre-frontal cortex parts of our brains, are there to make sure we put our stress-energy to best use.

Our pre-frontal cortices do much, much more than that: 

  • They help us focus
  • They help us initiate new thoughts and actions
  • They help us plan
  • They help us organize
  • They help us shift our thoughts and actions
  • They help us monitor ourselves
  • They help us regulate our thoughts and actions
  • They provide opportunities to choose
  • They provide opportunities to connect with other people
  • They provide opportunities to make the best use of our lives

Tags:

Beyond Business | Brain: about the Human Brain

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