Rick Baker Thought Posts
Left Menu Space Holder

About the author

Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

E-mail me Send mail
Follow me LinkedIn Twitter

Search

Calendar

<<  November 2024  >>
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
28293031123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
2526272829301
2345678

View posts in large calendar

Recent Comments

Comment RSS

Communication question: When people tell you they are giving 110%, don’t ya just hate those superduperlatives?

by Rick Baker
On Aug 27, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

When I was a child, neighbourhood parents had a habit of stopping me and asking me to answer math questions. [At one point I thought none of the adults in our subdivision knew how to count their money.] I suppose I was naturally talented at math. Later in life I found myself answering math questions during university level exams...dozens of exams. So, I understand I developed a habit of knowing math.

That knowledge of math has a few side-effects. One side-effect is, when people make claims like they are doing things beyond 100% it catches my attention and my thoughts. I have thoughts like, "Don't these people know when you've got 100% you've got it all & when you've given 100% you've given it all?

Giving 100% is superlative territory....that's the limit of your giving.

Giving more than 100% - well, that's defying the laws of at least mathematics...probably, the laws of physics...and possibly even the Laws of Nature.

How can you trust a person who makes claims like, "Boss - I'm giving 110%!"? [Some go even higher. You hear 150% regularly and some people have the habit of claiming a preposterous 1000%!]

Don't you think all of these people going overboard?...being excessive?...being exorbitant?...over-killing their point and beating it to death too?

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | Humour | Thought Tweets

Communication tip: If there's no two ways about it, it isn't good conversation.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 22, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Well...it's an idiom wrapped up in an aphorism wrapped up in a bit of truism.

Communication works best when at least two people are engaged in it.

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | Humour | Thought Tweets

Communication tip: Gather specks of agreement...make a molehill...and use it to construct a mountain of agreement.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 22, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Constructive criticism is an oxymoron. Rather than be critical of other folks...focus on the areas of agreement. Build on those areas. Help people feel comfortable. Change is only constructive when people are comfortable

Pinocchio lives. Just the other day, I listened to him. You gotta watch closely to see that nose growing.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 4, 2014

[No text]

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | Humour | Thought Tweets

If you were in charge of recruiting placebo-plant employees...would honesty be a desired trait?

by Rick Baker
On Aug 2, 2014

[No text]

Tags:

Humour | Put Your Best Brain Forward | Thought Tweets

Despite popular belief, repeated applications of natural fertilizer do not help people grow.

by Rick Baker
On Jul 26, 2014

[No text]

Tags:

Humour | Thought Tweets

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