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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Communication tip: If you want to be a leader in your industry sector, return phone calls and respond to e-mail.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 22, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Successful people seem to have more time. Also, with the current trend of slackening business etiquette, returning phone calls and responding to e-mail will be a differential advantage.

Why not take the lead...in a return to common courtesy, improved communication, and real relationships.

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | Leaders' Thoughts | Thought Tweets

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Sense of Urgency - Sense of Adventure

by Rick Baker
On Jul 23, 2014

The topic 'Sense of Urgency' arose during a conversation today. 

Got me thinking...

Sense of Urgency DEF'N: that's wanting to take prompt action when you know the right thing to do.

But, what about when you want to take prompt action and you aren't sure about the right thing to do - you simply have the urge to take action? Doesn't that also qualify as a Sense of Urgency?

No - I don't think simply wanting to take action satisfies the minimum standard associated with a meaningful Sense of Urgency...i.e., when Urgency is meaningful like the type of 'Urgency' Stephen R. Covey taught about in his Urgency-Important lessons.

[And, if we are not talking about that sort of meaningful Urgency, an Urgency that requires us to use Sense, then what kind of Urgency are we talking about?]

2 Related Points:

  1. When we know the right action to take in a given Situation and we feel that action should be initiated sooner rather than later...that's a Sense of Urgency...that's a good thing...that's closely linked with identifying Opportunities and acting quickly to seize advantage. That's the stuff of entrepreneurship. 
  2. When we want to take prompt action without believing/knowing that action is the right action to be taking...well...that's a Sense of Adventure!
Sense of Adventure is a good thing too. 

Sense of Adventure is a different thing.

Sense of Adventure fits certain Situations.

Sense of Urgency fits other Situations.

Perhaps we need to communicate more clearly when we are driven to take prompt action?

We wouldn't want other people to mistake our Sense of Adventure for a Sense of Urgency...would we?

We wouldn't want other people to mistake our Sense of Urgency for a Sense of Adventure...would we?

Tags:

Change: Creating Positive Change | Communication: Improving Communication | Definitions - Spirited Words Defined | Leaders' Thoughts | Questions?: The Art of Asking Good Questions

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Work-Life Balance

by Rick Baker
On Jul 2, 2014

Now, this is been a popular topic recently.

It is, perhaps, one of the better topics to illustrate the vast differences in people's perspectives.

Small-business owners have diverse and unique perspectives...and their unique perspectives permeate the businesses they own and run. The small-business owner's perspective on work-life balance may differ from the perspectives held by his or her employees. And, work-life balance is a major piece of the fabric of business culture.

Work-life balance can be the fabric that weaves cultural excellence or cultural chaos or some in-between mediocrity.

Naturally, small-business owners favour cultural excellence over cultural chaos and cultural mediocrity.

The question is, "How do we create the cultural excellence?" And, "How does work-life balance fit in?"

Some thoughts...

The small-business owner's personal values fuel everything. They energize the small-business owner. And to the extent the small-business owner's energy is shared with followers, the followers are also energized.

Energy fuels action. The form the action takes becomes the framework of the business culture.

If the motives and actions are admirable and the culture energizes people, the result is business excellence.

In contrast, questionable motives and actions that reduce energy levels tend to breed business problems and a culture of business chaos.

When you have questions about work-life balance:

  • First, check the small-business owner's personal values
  • Then, check to see if the small-business owner enforces a short list of clear rules
  • Then, ask the small-business owner about his or her goals and determine whether or not they are admirable
  • Finally, as the litmus test, observe and decide if the small-business owner's actions energize the followers

Do all of these things before attempting to reach a judgment about work-life balance.

Do all of these things before providing recommendations about work-life balance.

Remember, work-life balance is a very personal and subjective topic. What works for you may not work for others. And, poorly-though-out and subjective advice can be intrusive, closing people's minds and causing more damage than good.

Tags:

Beyond Business | Leaders' Thoughts

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Why would a boss not enforce a company policy/rule?

by Rick Baker
On Jun 24, 2014

Here are some reasons:

  1. The boss does not know the company policy/rule.
  2. The boss does not remember the company policy/rule.
  3. The boss doesn't agree with the company policy/rule.
  4. The boss is a rebel at heart...believing rules are made to be broken.
  5. The boss feels too busy to deal with things like adherence to company policies/rules.
  6. The boss struggles when dealing with difficult situations.
  7. The boss lacks the self-confidence required to deal with difficult situations.
Have I missed any?

Does it bother you when bosses do not enforce your company's policies/rules?

Do you think company policies/rules are of Value?

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication | I'm too busy! - I don't have time! | Leaders' Thoughts | Values: Personal Values

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We didn't see the financial meltdown coming. We didn't see the economic recession coming. We do see some things now...

by Rick Baker
On Jun 10, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Having been through those challenges, and rethinking business, I have a better picture of what we need to do to protect our businesses. I know business leaders need to inject Maker-thinking into their business. And, they need to do more good-old-fashioned testing of ideas...that's the entrepreneur-proven route to innovation.

Canadian leaders need to stop avoiding people problems and come up with better ways to remedy them.

Canadian leaders need to start matching talents with tasks.

Tags:

Leaders' Thoughts | STRENGTHS: People-Focused for Success | Thought Tweets

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People's Talents & Strengths are the icing on the business cake.

by Rick Baker
On Jun 2, 2014

The Thinking Behind the Tweet

Some folks think Leaders should butt out and provide followers free reins to go about their work as they choose. Some folks think that’s the way to unleash creativity and maximize motivation, innovation, and results.

On the other hand, many [perhaps most] entrepreneur-Leaders tend to micromanage.

4 keys to success in business:

  1. The Leader must pick strong/capable followers, 
  2. The Leader must tell those followers the desired BIG PICTURE things such as VISION and MAJOR GOALS, 
  3. The Leader must show those followers how he/she [the Leader] goes about his/her work [actions]…i.e., setting one example, the example that fits the Leader’s strengths and personality, and 
  4. The Leader must make it clear he/she expects followers to take action that fits their unique strengths and personalities.

Tags:

Leaders' Thoughts | STRENGTHS: People-Focused for Success | Thought Tweets

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