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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Thought Tweet #865.5

by Rick Baker
On Nov 8, 2013

Thought Tweet #865.5 Some people view succession planning as the last big step rather than a design/build process. 

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Succession Planning should be treated as a most-elite process: capturing the leader's Values, Vision, & Goals and enveloping business planning & other business activity. 

Tags:

Succession | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #865

by Rick Baker
On Nov 8, 2013

Thought Tweet #865 Listen to what people say...are their words the words of Victims or Initiators?

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

We do better with people when we understand them...as Stephen Covey taught - 'Seek First to Understand'.

We all go through ups and downs and the ups and downs can skew our day-to-day personalities. So, yes - it is rash to judge personality too quickly.

Setting day-to-day variances aside, we all have predominant tendencies. While we do not want to pretend we are armchair psychologists, our success in this world of other people increases when we observe people and develop an ability to understand them.

And, people do have predominant tendencies. One of those tendencies has been captured by psychologists and labelled locus of control. Some of us 'have' an internal locus of control while some of us 'have' an external locus of control. People who 'have' the internal locus of control believe they can affect change and outcomes. They tend to be Initiators. People who 'have' the external locus of control believe they have little ability to influence change or outcomes. They are fatalists or Victims. 

Victims tend to complain about their lot in life. Victims tend to blame others. Victims tend to blame situations. Victims are pessimistic. Victims make excuses. [Feelings of envy and jealousy hang around the shadows of Victims.]

Initiators are the opposite.

[Give Victims comfort. Give Initiators latitude.]

Thought Tweet #864.5

by Rick Baker
On Nov 7, 2013

Thought Tweet #864.5 "Men are ruled by toys." [Perhaps, there is joy in things.]

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

My favourite composer, Richard Wagner apparently said, "Joy is not in us, it is in things."

I understand the 'theory' but struggle with the 'practice'.

Many things, some small, trigger joy in me: pocket knives and souvenir coins are examples. More specifically, I get a kick out of my Laguiole jack-knives and my Napoleon Bonaparte coin. [200 years ago Napoleon bought Laguiole knives for his officers...that put the Laguiole company on the map... and their knives still display the 'Bonaparte Bee'.]

Napoleon bought lots of trinkets and toys for his officers.

When his practice of buying toys for his men was questioned, Napoleon replied, "Men are ruled by toys.

I understand the 'theory' and the 'practice'.

Tags:

Beyond Business | Hero Worship | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #864

by Rick Baker
On Nov 7, 2013

Thought Tweet #864 Influence flows when actions are backed by strong appetites for & vivid visions of change.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

And the results are constructive when formed by intelligence and self-control.

Influence - Why, that's something every single one of us does every single day. 

But of most importance - What form does our Influence take?

How have our intentions or inattentions shaped our influences?

Tags:

Change: Creating Positive Change | Influencing | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #863.5

by Rick Baker
On Nov 6, 2013

Thought Tweet #863.5 A person who chases two rabbits is too busy to catch either.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Playing with the ancient wisdom of Confucius...“He who chases two rabbits, captures neither.”

You don't have to chase two rabbits to be too busy. [There's plenty of other ways to multi-task your way to too busy.]

Tags:

Thought Tweets | Wisdom: Surviving the Test of Time | I'm too busy! - I don't have time!

Thought Tweet #863

by Rick Baker
On Nov 6, 2013

Thought Tweet #863 People are more inclined to follow than to lead. This can be painfully clear when egos are unleashed.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

One of the most graphic examples is mob behaviour. A few mob leaders can inspire destruction and pillaging from many...just consider Vancouver's Stanley Cup embarrassment. As Mark Weber says, "If the bet is between People and the Situation, bet on the Situation". [paraphrased] 

Betting on Situations is, in essence, betting on people following.

And there's that Spirited philosophy - "Business Contains Only 3 Things: People, Process, & Situations"

To accomplish their dreams, leaders must remember these related things:

Be the role model you want emulated

Anticipate and construct Situations

Tags:

Business Contains Only 3 Things | Influencing | Leaders' Thoughts | Thought Tweets

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