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by Rick Baker
On Nov 16, 2011
Some time ago I found the following quote:
“A goal is not the same as a desire, and this is an important distinction to make. You can have a desire you don't intend to act on. But you can't have a goal you don't intend to act on.”
Then I found the author of the quote…here is a picture of the fellow – ‘Old Tom’ Morris:
Then I learned a bit about the fellow:
Many consider Tom Morris to be the Father of Golf.
Born 1821 – St. Andrews, Scotland
Died 1908 – St. Andrews, Scotland
4 major championships in the 1860’s
World Golf Hall of Fame - 1976
Upon examining Tom’s quote, I uncovered a concise definition of ‘A Goal’:
“A goal is not the same as a desire, and this is an important distinction to make. You can have a desire you don't intend to act on. But you can't have a goal you don't intend to act on.”
A Goal is a desire you intend to act on.
That’s Spirited Leaders’ definition of A Goal.
And, when we teach that definition we bear in mind the advice of Old Tom Morris.
***
Another Goal quote: “In moving toward, fighting for and completing goals, energy is renewed and released, and as Blake said, "Energy is Bliss!" Laurence G. Boldt
by Rick Baker
On Nov 9, 2011
WHO are we?
Our Vision: Canada’s best source for entrepreneurial business education
WHAT do we do?
Our Purpose: We educate entrepreneurs.
HOW do we do that?
Our Values: Courage, Confidence, ‘The Differences’, Learning, Labours of Enjoyment & Enthusiasm
Our Branding Proposition: Inspire People, Grow Profits!
WHY are we doing what we do?
We enjoy learning. We enjoy business. We enjoy teaching.
WITH WHOM – Who receives benefit?
Our Ideal Clients are entrepreneurial business leaders who want to champion change.
WHAT DO OUR CLIENTS GAIN?
With enjoyable and helpful business education, action lessons, and tools - we help our Clients inspire practical business.
WHY THE NAME SPIRITED?
Spirited is defined as: full of courage, energy, and action. We like the adjective - spirited.
WHY THE UNICORN LOGO?
Unicorns are spirited, courageous creatures. Perhaps…if not likely…they are creatures of mythology. Regardless, they are symbols of inspiration for many cultures around the world. Some say unicorns are the only mythological creature not created out of fear. We really like that last part.
[Sure, we know unicorns have some weaknesses…but wow, what Strengths!]
by Rick Baker
On Nov 1, 2011
Intention may be one of the most underrated forces.
I recently listened to a CD where Deepak Chopra said: Intention has organizational power…in a way; Intention is the most powerful force in the universe.
If that is even partially true then, definitely, Intention is one of the most underrated forces.
Intention is closely linked to Inspiration.
When I use the word Intention, I mean – ‘a determination to act in a certain way’.
When I use the word Inspiration, I mean – ‘a power to influence emotions and move action’.
Putting that together…
Be determined to act in certain ways and that will give you the power to influence emotions and move action…your emotions and actions – and – the emotions and actions of other people.
Be determined to act in a certain way.
What way is that? [you might ask]
Seems to me the choices are unlimited! [you might think as you ask]
True - the choices are unlimited.
So – we need to figure out a way to do this sort of exercise quickly…before we get bored or annoyed or distracted by easier and perhaps more immediately-rewarding things.
Get a piece of paper and write across the top:
Actions I Do at Work
Draw a line down the middle of the page
On one side of the line write Feel Good when I do them and on the other side of the line write Do Not Feel Good when I do them.
Then, think about the actions you do at work… consider the specific actions you take as you perform tasks. Think of the specific actions you take as you interact with other people. Think of the specific actions you take when you are working on your business goals. Think of 30 or so specific actions.
Write those actions on the page…on one side or the other.
Now, circle the actions you believe contribute to you work goals.
Take a close look at the actions you have circled on the side of the page titled ‘I Feel Good when I do them’.
Focus on these actions as you begin to plan how you will be determined to act in certain ways that will give you the power to influence emotions and move action…your emotions and actions – and – the emotions and actions of other people.
That’s a good 1st step toward acting with Intent and acting to Inspire.
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Actions I Do at Work
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I Feel Good when I do them
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I Do Not Feel Good when I do them
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by Rick Baker
On Oct 25, 2011
We say Business only contains 3 things: People, Process, & Situations.
We need to clarify what we mean by ‘Situations’.
Situation def’n:
a snapshot of an instant in business life…the people, the ‘props’, and the immediate environment
At Spirited Leaders, we teach:
The right People, of course, are the most-important assets of your business
People create Process
People influence Situations…ideally; the majority of the influence is in the positive direction
Let’s spend a bit of time clarifying that last one: People influence Situations
Example #1: Say you or one of your salespeople show up to a meeting and your Client is there as expected. But, not expected, your Client’s boss is sitting beside your Client. You walked in the room expecting one Situation and, instead, you found another. Everything but one was exactly the same as you expected. The one thing that wasn’t expected – actually, not a thing, a person – was the addition of your Client’s boss. So, the Situation changed. As any good sales school would teach…you need to make an adjustment to accommodate the unexpected Situation.
Example #2: Again, you or one of your people is about to visit that same Client. This time when you arrive everything is as expected except for one small change. Your Client’s office is sweltering hot and the humidity feels like 100%. Same people, different environment…different Situation. Again, you need to make an adjustment to accommodate the unexpected Situation.
Example #3: Like above, except no boss and the room is room temperature. This time there is a power failure so you cannot deliver your presentation on the big screen as planned. A ‘prop’ has changed. Again, you need to adjust.
Or…
- you spilled coffee on your shirt on the way to the Client’s office or
- lightning knocked a tree across the road and that made you late for the meeting or
- you forgot those important papers
- or
- or
It only takes a little thing to change a Situation.
But – and this is good news – a little change in Situation can mean everything!
by Rick Baker
On Sep 13, 2011
Here are some of the nuances of our thinking:
- Everybody lies, at least in certain situations and about certain topics - everybody lies!
- There are levels of lying...like little white lies, lies made in an effort to ease other's pain, manipulative lies, lies for the sake of secrecy or deception, and pathological lies.
- "Honey, does this new red dress make me look slimmer?" The person who answers that question may lie while intending to be kind and aiming for win-win. That sort of lie is a low-level lie. And that sort of lie may represent the best course of action in the given situation. The intent behind the lie is 'admirable'.
- Integrity, as we define it, allows for lies. Recall the last part of the definition: “When you make errors as you talk-walk-run you admit them and you strive to not repeat them”.
- But, our definition of Integrity does not allow for repeated lies where the intent behind the lie isn't 'admirable'...Integrity cannot exist where the intent behind repeated lies is deception or manipulation...i.e., win-lose. Our definition of Integrity allows for some of those win-lose lies. After all, as the saying goes, we are only human. Each of us makes mistakes. People say things and wish later that they could retract their words. An acknowledgement of their error when coupled with a true commitment to do better passes our ‘Integrity’ test.
And, our key point on the two closely-intertwined topics, Lies & Integrity: the onus is on the leader to set the standard.
The leader sets the standard by:
- Defining Integrity
- Incorporating Integrity into leading by example
- Having thick skin…it isn’t about you, it’s about them
- Having a thin skull…being open minded, observing others, taking care to minimize judging of others while maximizing understanding of others
by Rick Baker
On Aug 11, 2011
Self-Confidence is the 1st accomplishment.
I have often told the story of Alexander the Great who eased his commanders’ fears and inspired his army by telling them they were guaranteed to win because they had one thing the enemy lacked. When his followers asked them about the one thing that would guarantee victory, Alexander the Great answered, “We have me.”
Now, to be clear, when I tell that story I make sure to mention I have no way of knowing if this is just legend, let alone the exact words used by Alexander the Great. However, the history books confirm his father was a warrior-king and Alexander was private schooled by Aristotle. Alexander was a young fellow at the time he became ruler. Think about people today who become famous at a young age. If we compare Alexander the Great to the rock stars of today, he would be at least a stage full of them. If compared to the business leaders of today, he would be at least the Chairman of the Board of at least a few upstart car makers, oil producers, and technology disruptors.
So, some 2300 years ago we had this young Alexander fellow with a huge amount of fame and absolute power. Perhaps, it could have gone to his head just a little bit. Perhaps, he did say things like “We’re gonna win because we got me”.
On a much lesser scale, of course, I have made similar claims. I have seen myself as the best person to do the job at hand.
Isn’t that a big piece of the definition of entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurs and leaders need to be the difference makers…isn’t that right?
A leader must be confident about his ability to succeed…right?
A leader must be confident about her ability to succeed…right?
None of us wants to follow an unconfident leader.
None of us wants to be an unconfident leader.
Some of us feel confidence is near or at the top of the list of leadership attributes.
To be crystal clear: I think self-confidence is very, very close to the top of that list.
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