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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Good News: you have an emotionally charged group of leaders. Now: how do you convert that energy to the positive?

by Rick Baker
On Dec 5, 2021

When our ancestors first saw fire, the first things they saw and understood were destruction and danger. As time passed, as they became more thoughtful and more adventuresome, our ancestors learned the energy of fire could be harnessed and put to productive use. 

Harnessing energy and putting it to good use...that's the territory of leadership.

So, when you see people blowing off steam at work recognize there is energy generating the steam. Energy is good. Energy does good when it is harnessed and properly directed. That's a thing of leadership.

Leaders: Make sure your confidence does not threaten your followers.

by Rick Baker
On Dec 4, 2021

Some followers are intimidated by Leader's self-confidence. Here are some Spirited suggestions, to make sure you do not come across that way: 

  • Be authentic…it is OK to be on the reserved side of centre if that is your character…it is OK to be on the boisterous side if that is your character
  • Be committed to working on self-improvement…i.e., raising his or her own self-confidence when that is required, as it will be from time to time
  • Focus on strengths: personal strengths and the strengths possessed by others
  • As Dale Carnegie taught, "Praise heartily"
  • Make full and appropriate use of humour…some leaders have just a little of it and will need to remind themselves of the importance of putting it to good use…other leaders have heavy doses of it and they will need to remind themselves to never let it go too far…self-humour is best…humour at the expense of others is an absolute no-no
  • Listen…resurrect that art if it has become lost
  • Master your emotions…and keep them under control [most of the time]
  • Live with Integrity…as defined here

Good things come in little packages: that's the key to excellent work-process success.

by Rick Baker
On Jun 24, 2021

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Dr. Richard Carlson taught - "Don't sweat the small stuff".

That's good advice as long as it confined within the following context: (1) do small stuff and do it well & (2) don't feel distressed while you are doing it. There's nothing wrong with sweating while working out the body....although perspiration is a more-delicate word for that body exhaust. When the body works hard it vents exhaust. When the mind works hard it also vents exhaust. This is particularly so when the mind is undisciplined. When we break work into small pieces - tasks - we reduce the amount of that exhaust. And, of more importance, we increase the opportunities to receive [mental, self-generated] rewards for jobs well done.

Organized people get work done; disorganized people get work repeated.

by Rick Baker
On Jun 23, 2021

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Disorganization = more errors = more fixing of errors = repeated work.

And, of course, disorganization consumes time and generates stresses and anxieties.

Have you noticed - Disorganized people are the ones who complain most about being overworked!

Yes, it can be difficult...that's why it's called work.

by Rick Baker
On Jun 16, 2021

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

But, Difficult should not mean Unpleasant.

Physically-difficult work burns up energy in muscles, etc. It strengthens the muscles...that's a good thing...unless you're lazy, in which case physically-difficult work would be annoying.

Cognitively-difficult work burns up energy in neurons and other places. It strengthens neuronal connections...that's a good thing...unless you're lazy...then work, again, would become annoying.

About being annoyed or stressed out, etc: the cause behind negative feelings is not work. So, let's not place the blame on work when, in fact, there is another culprit.

Workplace High-Pressure: does it cut the feet out from under your smartest people?

by Rick Baker
On Jun 14, 2021

The Thinking Behind the Tweet

A high IQ doesn’t necessarily mean a high ability to work under stress. In fact, it is possible the opposite is true. Do you assume smart folks operate smart when the pressure is on? If so, perhaps, when the pressure is on people disappoint you.

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Emotions & Feelings @ Work | Thought Tweets | Values: Personal Values

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