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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Ask value-packed questions. Allow time for people to think, express themselves, and provide value-packed answers.

by Rick Baker
On Sep 13, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Part of it is being curious. Part of it is seeking to understand. Part of it is 'Planning Your Work'. 

Much of it is being present and listening.

And you can call it Communication.

Discipline yourself if you wish to persuade others.

by Rick Baker
On Sep 12, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Do what I say not what I do does not cut it. Probably, most of us can remember incidents when we were children and adults in positions of authority gave us instructions that they themselves did not follow. To the extent that happened, we learned to resist instructions that came to us as do what I say not what I do. As we gained experience and confidence our resistance to these inconsistent demands increased. Now, we have much trouble following instructions from people who do not lead by example. And, we distrust those who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

Tags:

Thought Tweets | Values: Personal Values

Even objective, well-intentioned, well-delivered criticism gnaws, rips, and tears into thin skin.

by Rick Baker
On Sep 11, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Criticism will always gnaw, rip, and tear at thin skin. That is a given. The only question is: how will the thin-skinned person react as the thin skin rips and tears? The natural reactions are fight & flight...aggression & avoidance. 

And, of importance – will ‘motivation’ get dragged into the bloody discussion after the ripping and tearing of thin skin? Sometimes it will. More often the thought will be there, but it will be unspoken. And, as they say, “It's the thought that counts.” I have strong views on ‘motivation’, and my strong views contain intolerance of those who blame others for the failures or the lack of motivation. Bosses have a tough enough job without having to bear the burden of every subordinate’s ‘motivation’.

Curiosity doesn't kill cats...it just makes them very interesting.

by Rick Baker
On Sep 10, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Maybe, curiosity kills cats; definitely, curiosity motivates people.

Perhaps, many animals are curious. Certainly, some are...cats have a reputation for it. Human beings must be the most curious animal on Earth. Curiosity is in our DNA. Curiosity is the root of innovation, invention, and creativity.

I don't think curiosity kills cats...it just makes them very interesting.

Perhaps, complaining about other people is gratifying...perhaps, it satisfies a need?

by Rick Baker
On Sep 9, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Why do people complain about the actions of another person?

Presumably, the answer is - complaining about other people is gratifying, it fills a need. But, what exactly is that need?

And, does complaining about other people satisfy a single need? Or, does the need-satisfaction vary with the person who is the topic of complaint?

Self-monitoring: the next time you're about to complain about another person, stop and think. Ask yourself, "Why do this person's actions make me want to complain?" "What will happen if I delay complaining about this person for 15 minutes? Or, 1 hour? Or, 1 day?" "What gratification will I sacrifice if I delay or refuse to allow myself to complain about this person?"

Ancient communication wisdom: "Men trust their ears less than their eyes."

by Rick Baker
On Sep 8, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

"Men trust their ears less than their eyes."

Herodotus

Greek Historian, 484BCE-425BCE

Now, 2400 years after Herodotus, psychologists are completing experiments that confirm Herodotus' ancient wisdom...our eyes overrule our ears...truly, we do believe what our eyes see them do more than what our ears hear them say. This applies to their major actions and to their minor body-language signals.

Tags:

Thought Tweets | Wisdom: Surviving the Test of Time

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