https://rickbaker.ca/category/change-creating-positive-change/ Rick Baker's Thought Posts — plain-spoken writing on leadership, business values, communication, habits, and the people side of building a business. Publishing since 2008. en-ca https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-teach-someone-first-find-out-what-they-believe-they-already-know/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-teach-someone-first-find-out-what-they-believe-they-already-know/Wed, 02 Jun 2021 07:16:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Far too often, we jump into teaching. Far too often, we assume others do not know what we know. Far too often, we conclude… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-greatest-of-leaders-change-themselves-they-mould-their-character-to-remove-the-bad-habits-that-prevent-leadership/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-greatest-of-leaders-change-themselves-they-mould-their-character-to-remove-the-bad-habits-that-prevent-leadership/Mon, 31 May 2021 07:03:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Sometimes they replace combative attitudes with kind attitudes. Sometimes they toughen up their softness. Either way they mould… https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-cant-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricksunless-perhaps-you-praise-him-enthusiasticallyand-feed-him-the-meat-he-craves/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-cant-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricksunless-perhaps-you-praise-him-enthusiasticallyand-feed-him-the-meat-he-craves/Mon, 19 Apr 2021 07:48:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Sometimes old sayings go too far. If you can teach yourself some new tricks then you can teach old dogs new tricks. https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-we-do-not-know-has-never-increased-so-quicklychoose-focusing-over-frettingchoose-to-use-talents/https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-we-do-not-know-has-never-increased-so-quicklychoose-focusing-over-frettingchoose-to-use-talents/Sun, 11 Apr 2021 07:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Alvin Toffler predicted it . Now, we're up to our ears in it. People are strong when they have talent, opportunity, knowledge… https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-general-people-dont-lack-the-desire-to-make-changes-they-lack-the-skill/https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-general-people-dont-lack-the-desire-to-make-changes-they-lack-the-skill/Thu, 18 Mar 2021 07:37:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet " They lack the skill. " When it comes to change , skill is a multi-edged sword . One sharp edge - the person who delivers the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-gotta-go-the-first-mile-before-you-start-talkin-about-going-the-extra-mile/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-gotta-go-the-first-mile-before-you-start-talkin-about-going-the-extra-mile/Sat, 20 Feb 2021 07:07:00 -0500The Thinkin' Behind The Tweet Everyone knows, " Talk's cheap ". Yet, some people forget it. They get all carried away talking about going extra miles when… https://rickbaker.ca/post/as-your-creativity-increases-your-ability-to-receive-good-advice-decreases/https://rickbaker.ca/post/as-your-creativity-increases-your-ability-to-receive-good-advice-decreases/Fri, 19 Feb 2021 07:52:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Creativity is one of the most threatening commodities. As a rule, when people observe it happening around them they feel… https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-shoot-the-messenger-until-youve-at-least-had-a-chance-to-see-the-opportunity-attitude/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-shoot-the-messenger-until-youve-at-least-had-a-chance-to-see-the-opportunity-attitude/Thu, 11 Feb 2021 07:38:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Too often we close our ears and our minds to those who express objections . Too often we close our eyes and our minds to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-fool-no-one-and-annoy-many-when-you-set-bars-higher-than-you-yourself-can-jump/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-fool-no-one-and-annoy-many-when-you-set-bars-higher-than-you-yourself-can-jump/Tue, 09 Feb 2021 07:53:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet To the full extent possible - do not delegate work you cannot do yourself. At the very least, take utmost care if you find… https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-know-you-need-to-take-small-side-steps-to-get-out-of-a-bad-habit-ruts/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-know-you-need-to-take-small-side-steps-to-get-out-of-a-bad-habit-ruts/Fri, 05 Feb 2021 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Habits exist in loops of brain circuitry. [Or, at least, that's a description that allows us to understand and address Habits.]… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-greatest-of-leaders-overcome-their-bad-habits-they-mould-their-character-to-improve-their-ability-to-influence-others/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-greatest-of-leaders-overcome-their-bad-habits-they-mould-their-character-to-improve-their-ability-to-influence-others/Sat, 23 Jan 2021 07:10:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Sometimes they replace combative ways with kindness; sometimes they replace softer ways with assertiveness. Other times they… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-design-change-you-must-do-it-in-a-way-that-helps-people-get-over-their-fears/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-design-change-you-must-do-it-in-a-way-that-helps-people-get-over-their-fears/Sun, 27 Dec 2020 07:42:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet Dr. Jonathan Haidt described people’s behaviour using the following metaphor. People behave as if they are Riders on Elephants… https://rickbaker.ca/post/courage-is-the-prime-enabler-it-enables-self-analysis-self-confidence-curiosity-creativity-innovation-courage/https://rickbaker.ca/post/courage-is-the-prime-enabler-it-enables-self-analysis-self-confidence-curiosity-creativity-innovation-courage/Sat, 05 Dec 2020 07:13:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It takes courage to face adversity . It takes courage to face criticism . It takes courage to face change . Children are born… https://rickbaker.ca/post/discontent-regardless-of-how-it-is-packaged-just-may-be-the-best-vehicle-for-positive-change/https://rickbaker.ca/post/discontent-regardless-of-how-it-is-packaged-just-may-be-the-best-vehicle-for-positive-change/Tue, 01 Dec 2020 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some people live to change. For example, some people embrace life-long learning . Others find a lifetime of change by embracing… https://rickbaker.ca/post/as-the-pace-of-change-increases-so-does-the-power-of-leaders-courage-confidence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/as-the-pace-of-change-increases-so-does-the-power-of-leaders-courage-confidence/Thu, 05 Nov 2020 07:34:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet And courage & confidence require lots of energy...because energy is needed to fuel clear thought and action. So - use your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-influence-others-influence-yourself-first-make-little-changes-for-the-better-thats-a-good-habit-to-share/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-influence-others-influence-yourself-first-make-little-changes-for-the-better-thats-a-good-habit-to-share/Tue, 20 Oct 2020 07:52:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet All great leaders make major changes to their way of dealing with 'their personal challenges' and their way of interacting with… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-satisfied-with-your-communication-egos-will-help-you-bring-about-the-changes-you-desire/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-satisfied-with-your-communication-egos-will-help-you-bring-about-the-changes-you-desire/Sun, 11 Oct 2020 07:07:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Egos are nitpickers. Egos need to be stroked. Egos don't like unpleasant surprises. Egos always bring their baggage. https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-theres-no-reason-or-rhyme-its-time-to-change-your-tune/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-theres-no-reason-or-rhyme-its-time-to-change-your-tune/Thu, 27 Aug 2020 07:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Human beings are biased creatures. One bias is known as the rhyme-as-reason effect . According to Wikipedia - "The… https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-let-a-few-bad-apples-sour-your-trust-in-people-trust/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-let-a-few-bad-apples-sour-your-trust-in-people-trust/Tue, 25 Aug 2020 07:27:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Without trust relationships are shallow and weak. Don't let people's actions sour your trust. Start With Self. On top of all… https://rickbaker.ca/post/less-than-20-of-people-work-at-making-changes-over-80-of-people-require-ongoing-assistance-leadership/https://rickbaker.ca/post/less-than-20-of-people-work-at-making-changes-over-80-of-people-require-ongoing-assistance-leadership/Mon, 10 Aug 2020 07:39:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Focus on change leaders. Focus on self-motivated people. Focus on confident people. https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-change-the-world-then-spend-20-minutes-a-day-working-on-self-understanding-knowthyself/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-change-the-world-then-spend-20-minutes-a-day-working-on-self-understanding-knowthyself/Tue, 21 Jul 2020 07:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The question was asked at the HBR LInkedIn group..." How can we change society? Just give one step which you feel will change… https://rickbaker.ca/post/biting-your-tongue-just-before-it-expresses-something-quite-right-but-nonetheless-doomed-to-be-poorly-received-thats-a-good-thing/https://rickbaker.ca/post/biting-your-tongue-just-before-it-expresses-something-quite-right-but-nonetheless-doomed-to-be-poorly-received-thats-a-good-thing/Mon, 20 Jul 2020 07:01:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet You can choose to adjust your personality so it is more pleasing and less annoying. Sometimes, the choice involves biting your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-easy-to-make-a-significant-change-just-tell-everyone-you-have-developed-an-electricity-intolerance/https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-easy-to-make-a-significant-change-just-tell-everyone-you-have-developed-an-electricity-intolerance/Fri, 10 Jul 2020 07:57:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Sure, change is tough. But you gotta look on the bright side: if you don't like that last suggestion - when the urge to change… https://rickbaker.ca/post/change-happens-when-people-experience-new-things-as-in-good-habits-bad-habits-new-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/change-happens-when-people-experience-new-things-as-in-good-habits-bad-habits-new-things/Mon, 29 Jun 2020 07:53:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet And, those 3 things - that’s all people do. People Only Do 3 Things: Good Habits, Bad Habits, New Things. Here's a link to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-cornerstone-of-our-personality-our-mental-attitude-shows-up-as-the-general-flavour-of-our-thoughts/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-cornerstone-of-our-personality-our-mental-attitude-shows-up-as-the-general-flavour-of-our-thoughts/Sat, 30 May 2020 07:45:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We can choose from 3 mental-attitude flavours: Positivity , Negativity , & Indifference. Positivity is the best flavour...a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-are-not-ready-to-change-then-dont-waste-energy-complaining/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-are-not-ready-to-change-then-dont-waste-energy-complaining/Sun, 24 May 2020 07:40:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If you are ready to change then perhaps complaining does some good: it could help you clarify the nature of the change you need… https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-people-take-the-same-route-to-work-every-dayif-that-route-is-blocked-they-dont-get-to-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-people-take-the-same-route-to-work-every-dayif-that-route-is-blocked-they-dont-get-to-work/Thu, 21 May 2020 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Human Beings all creatures of habit. While considering our goals we always have many routes to achieve them. However, sometimes… https://rickbaker.ca/post/anxiety-is-in-our-genesit-is-the-legacy-of-the-fight-or-flight-that-allowed-our-ancestors-to-bring-us-us/https://rickbaker.ca/post/anxiety-is-in-our-genesit-is-the-legacy-of-the-fight-or-flight-that-allowed-our-ancestors-to-bring-us-us/Thu, 02 Apr 2020 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Anxiety : be present, don't fret over it, observe it in real time, & learn what it takes to control it if it gets out of hand… https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-are-too-tolerant-of-conflict/https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-are-too-tolerant-of-conflict/Mon, 29 May 2017 07:57:00 -0500Are you better off following prescribed step-by-step conflict resolution processes designed by 'the experts' or drawing on your innate talents to resolve… https://rickbaker.ca/post/criticism-adrenalin-spikes-improving-relationships/https://rickbaker.ca/post/criticism-adrenalin-spikes-improving-relationships/Mon, 15 May 2017 08:30:00 -0500Some people naturally repulse criticism. These people may show outward signs of their repulsion. These people may not show outward signs, or their repulsion… https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-mental-attitude-flavour-do-you-choose-positivity-negativity-or-indifference/https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-mental-attitude-flavour-do-you-choose-positivity-negativity-or-indifference/Mon, 01 May 2017 08:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The cornerstone of our personality , our mental attitude , shows up as the general flavour of our thoughts...as illustrated in… https://rickbaker.ca/post/sorting-out-decisions-before-you-make-them/https://rickbaker.ca/post/sorting-out-decisions-before-you-make-them/Mon, 24 Apr 2017 07:52:00 -0500On the Nature of Decisions Every one of us makes numerous decisions every day. Many of our decisions are small, like - “What shirt should I wear today?” Some… https://rickbaker.ca/post/here-i-gotelling-you-about-asking/https://rickbaker.ca/post/here-i-gotelling-you-about-asking/Thu, 20 Apr 2017 06:50:00 -0500I’m telling you that you must cut down on telling people what to do and start asking more questions. Isn’t that oxymoronic ? Isn’t that the pot calling the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/visions-biases-evolution/https://rickbaker.ca/post/visions-biases-evolution/Mon, 17 Apr 2017 07:39:00 -0500We have wonderful dreams and ambitions…there’s no end to our visions of better things in the future . And, behind these dreams and ambitions, our motives are… https://rickbaker.ca/post/building-self-confidence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/building-self-confidence/Tue, 28 Mar 2017 07:15:00 -0500A strong desire to achieve promotes self-confidence . Positive self-image and high self-esteem promote self-confidence. Sense of purpose and goals promote… https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-matters-is-what-youre-going-to-do-next/https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-matters-is-what-youre-going-to-do-next/Thu, 02 Mar 2017 07:23:00 -0500It doesn't matter what you've done or what you know or even who you know. What matters is what you're going to do next and, of more importance, whether or… https://rickbaker.ca/post/personal-values-rules-of-engagement-setting-off-those-hot-button-alarms/https://rickbaker.ca/post/personal-values-rules-of-engagement-setting-off-those-hot-button-alarms/Tue, 31 Jan 2017 08:56:00 -0500When it comes to personal values , there are a handful of common Hot Buttons where differing views about personal values cause problems. Examples include… https://rickbaker.ca/post/mistakes-are-stepping-stones-the-question-is-to-where/https://rickbaker.ca/post/mistakes-are-stepping-stones-the-question-is-to-where/Wed, 18 Jan 2017 16:52:00 -0500Indiana Jones reminded us that you don’t have to see the whole staircase to take the first step. A journey of a thousand miles always starts with a single… https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-be-passionate-about-shorthand-abstractionsthey-have-no-integrity/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-be-passionate-about-shorthand-abstractionsthey-have-no-integrity/Thu, 12 Jan 2017 07:29:00 -0500Over the last few years, I have written and talked about the communication problems that happen when business leaders use words like Passion and Integrity to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/say-adieu-and-then-forget/https://rickbaker.ca/post/say-adieu-and-then-forget/Mon, 09 Jan 2017 07:10:00 -0500Forgetfulness plagues us all. At least from time to time, everyone forgets things. We forget things on our shopping lists, we forget the places where things… https://rickbaker.ca/post/favouring-a-realistic-approach-to-values-virtues-rules/https://rickbaker.ca/post/favouring-a-realistic-approach-to-values-virtues-rules/Wed, 04 Jan 2017 08:50:00 -0500Values are concepts covering things important and admirable to us (our minds). Values are our perceptions of intrinsically valuable or desirable ways of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/15-ways-to-influence-thinking-inspire-action/https://rickbaker.ca/post/15-ways-to-influence-thinking-inspire-action/Thu, 22 Dec 2016 14:45:00 -0500Vision inspires Leadership has a few essential ingredients. For example, the leader must possess a level of intelligence and the leader must possess a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-a-word-the-easiest-way-to-get-out-of-the-box-is-jump/https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-a-word-the-easiest-way-to-get-out-of-the-box-is-jump/Mon, 19 Dec 2016 09:06:00 -0500About bad-habit ruts https://rickbaker.ca/post/10-thoughts-on-firing-good-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/10-thoughts-on-firing-good-people/Wed, 16 Nov 2016 07:37:00 -0500Fire when the cost of presence exceeds its value: that's on the self-serving end of things [...and that is one of the ends] Fire when bad habits violate… https://rickbaker.ca/post/10-thoughts-on-keeping-good-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/10-thoughts-on-keeping-good-people/Tue, 15 Nov 2016 07:23:00 -0500Have Culture - if it isn't defined it will define itself Give Compliments - everyone wants to use talents to create value...and get regular pats on the back… https://rickbaker.ca/post/on-thinking-thinking-is-the-way-i-influence-myself-and-others/https://rickbaker.ca/post/on-thinking-thinking-is-the-way-i-influence-myself-and-others/Mon, 10 Oct 2016 07:33:00 -0500René Descartes founded 'Western Philosophy' with profound thoughts, the most famous one being - " I think therefore I am. " If I think then I must exist [as… https://rickbaker.ca/post/controlling-the-common-littlenesses-of-human-nature/https://rickbaker.ca/post/controlling-the-common-littlenesses-of-human-nature/Mon, 29 Aug 2016 08:55:00 -0500William MacDonald described Benjamin Franklin as a man who could control the common littleness of human nature 1 . It is clear MacDonald had tremendous… https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-do-you-really-hold-someone-accountable-part-3/https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-do-you-really-hold-someone-accountable-part-3/Thu, 18 Aug 2016 07:23:00 -0500Link to Part 1 Link to Part 2 Some say the key to accountability is 'delegating responsibility': when people feel responsible for something they hold… https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-bolsters-self-confidence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-bolsters-self-confidence/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 08:20:00 -0500Curiosity opens the door to alternative realities: this is discovered when you are curious, when you ask questions and when you listen to other people's… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-it-seems-the-left-hand-doesnt-know-what-either-hand-is-doing/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-it-seems-the-left-hand-doesnt-know-what-either-hand-is-doing/Mon, 11 Jul 2016 20:11:00 -0500Some situations seem to be beyond our control. In fact, some situations are beyond our control. Other situations just appear to be beyond our control…