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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Strong leaders excel at using their talents, knowledge, and skills. Strong Leaders influence others to do that same thing.

by Rick Baker
On Jun 24, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Strength = Innate Talent [as signalled by STRENGTHSFINDER Top 5 Talent Themes] + Opportunity [which leaders are obligated to provide to self and others] + Specialized Knowledge [of the details of the plan and the work processes…and about the people and the situations the people face] + Practised Skills [as Malcolm Gladwell teaches, think in terms of at least 10,000 hours to master the tasks that make up a business role]

Influence = the essence of Leadership


 

None of us can forecast the future: the best we can do is predict...do our best...then deal with actual situations.

by Rick Baker
On Jun 1, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

About Planning: Why plan? Who should plan? etc. 

Predict! When the word 'plan' [as in 'strategic plan'] annoys people, don't argue it or fight it. Choose to use the word 'predict'.

Some people take the same route to work every day...if that route is blocked, they cannot find a way to work.

by Rick Baker
On May 21, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Human Beings all creatures of habit.

While considering our goals we always have many routes to achieve them. However, sometimes we just cannot look ahead and see new routes. We become victims of our situations, stalled in the present, stalled in the problem. 

100 grams of planning are worth a tonne of excuses.

by Rick Baker
On Apr 26, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Some things are worthy of forethought.

Some things are worthy of planning.

Some situations can and should be anticipated.

 

Tags:

Business Contains Only 3 Things | Business Plan: Writing Plans | Thought Tweets

Don't let your desire for metrics and measures overrule your common sense.

by Rick Baker
On Apr 11, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Measurements help us understand our progress.

Measurements are of little value when managers fail to exercise common sense and good judgement.

Measurements are of minimal value when basic supervision processes are not practised.

Tags:

Business Contains Only 3 Things | Measure & Monitor | Thought Tweets

Seeing the Big Picture & Drilling Down, into the Details

by Rick Baker
On May 25, 2017

Strategic Thinking & Attention to Details: for a business leader, what's the right balance between these two things?

Some business leaders think they can soar around at 50,000 feet, never having to touch the ground let alone drill down into details. Sooner or later they learn, it can be a very quick trip from 50,000 feet to crash and burn.

Some business leaders think their attention to detail is so excellent they feel they must share the details with their followers repeatedly, every day...for almost every task. Sooner or later, they choke the spirit out of their followers, business engines stall, and another business death spiral begins.

Some business leaders operate between the two extremes, without giving any of this much thought.

 ***

Q: For business leaders, what is the right balance between strategic thinking and attention to detail?

A: The right balance needs to be customized to fit each leader's natural talents and the strengths the leader has developed through years of practice. It is important to plan the best balance rather than take an unplanned approach, allowing actions to unfold as they will during the heat of the business battles. One way a leader can determine his or her best balance is to approach the topic from a perspective laced with Seek Simple philosophies, one of which is - Business Contains Only 3 Things: People, Processes, and Situations

As you plan your approach to balancing Strategic Thinking versus Attention to Details, make sure you cover the People side first. Then, when you know the People side is covered, move on to the Process side. Why? People are very inclined to over-trump Processes....one way or another.

Consider your talents and strengths: I mean, seek professional help to make sure you have an accurate understanding of your talents [as Gallup tells us - talents are our natural ways of thinking and behaving] and your strengths [things you can do with mastery]. Again, cover the People side first, then move on to the Process side.

Know yourself, especially know how to put your relationships to best use and know your strengths [or lack of strengths] in the area of influencing your followers.

Envision how you will balance your strategic-thinking work with your attention to detail work...then go do it...and excel!

***

 

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