https://rickbaker.ca/category/delegation-decisions/ 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/small-business-is-like-walking-a-tightrope-failure-to-step-gets-you-nowhere-slip-ups-bring-you-down/https://rickbaker.ca/post/small-business-is-like-walking-a-tightrope-failure-to-step-gets-you-nowhere-slip-ups-bring-you-down/Sun, 06 Jun 2021 07:01:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Take Delegation seriously. It is really important to do it and to allow yourself and your people to learn from errors . 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/if-you-can-convince-yourself-you-are-too-busy-then-you-too-can-make-worse-decisions-2021/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-can-convince-yourself-you-are-too-busy-then-you-too-can-make-worse-decisions-2021/Wed, 17 Mar 2021 07:32:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It's all in the way you hold your mind. You do not have to take the time required to make good decisions. It is your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-communicate-the-processes-you-use-influence-people-more-than-the-logic-you-express/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-communicate-the-processes-you-use-influence-people-more-than-the-logic-you-express/Tue, 09 Mar 2021 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet According to Chip Heath and Dan Heath ['Decisive', 2013] " When the researchers compared whether process or analysis was more… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-decisions-as-a-general-rule-avoid-making-them-when-you-are-stressed-or-pressed/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-decisions-as-a-general-rule-avoid-making-them-when-you-are-stressed-or-pressed/Mon, 08 Mar 2021 07:35:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Only on rare occasions do we need to deliver decisions with urgency. For the vast majority of situations we can take time to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-business-discussions-are-good-decisions-are-better-and-delegated-decisions-are-best/https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-business-discussions-are-good-decisions-are-better-and-delegated-decisions-are-best/Sun, 07 Mar 2021 07:46:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Discussions help you determine whether or not you have good/talented/skilled people on your leadership team. Quality… 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/dont-delegate-any-task-you-cannot-do-yourselfexcept-software-engineering/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-delegate-any-task-you-cannot-do-yourselfexcept-software-engineering/Mon, 18 Jan 2021 07:37:00 -0500Clint Eastwood taught those villains, "A man must know his limitations." Similarly, a man must understand he is at risk when he delegates beyond his… https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-seems-providing-advice-on-how-to-succeed-is-nowhere-near-as-difficult-as-helping-people-succeed/https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-seems-providing-advice-on-how-to-succeed-is-nowhere-near-as-difficult-as-helping-people-succeed/Thu, 07 Jan 2021 07:25:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Most people have lots of advice [opinions, suggestions, criticisms , commands , etc.] to share with others. Few people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/an-ounce-of-predilection-is-worth-a-pound-of-objection-2021/https://rickbaker.ca/post/an-ounce-of-predilection-is-worth-a-pound-of-objection-2021/Fri, 01 Jan 2021 07:40:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Human beings are biased creatures. Our minds are geared to recognize patterns and, sometimes, our minds jump to conclusions. As… https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-dont-need-empowerment-as-much-as-they-need-un-entanglement/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-dont-need-empowerment-as-much-as-they-need-un-entanglement/Wed, 02 Dec 2020 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We often hear advice like, " You should empower your people, provide them autonomy, give them decision-making authority, and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/hiring-rule-if-you-blink-dont-even-think/https://rickbaker.ca/post/hiring-rule-if-you-blink-dont-even-think/Mon, 30 Nov 2020 07:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet I'm thinking about Gladwell's "Blink". We are blessed with intuition . We should allow it to help us make better hiring… https://rickbaker.ca/post/heres-a-good-habit-test-your-decisions-against-the-values-you-hold-dearest/https://rickbaker.ca/post/heres-a-good-habit-test-your-decisions-against-the-values-you-hold-dearest/Wed, 11 Nov 2020 07:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet You will find decision-making becomes easier and 'less conflicted' when you develop the habit of testing your decisions against… https://rickbaker.ca/post/heres-a-good-investment-spend-some-time-thinking-about-how-you-delegate-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/heres-a-good-investment-spend-some-time-thinking-about-how-you-delegate-work/Thu, 01 Oct 2020 07:48:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some people, oblivious to the impact of their approach to delegating tasks, just delegate what they delegate . Some people plan… https://rickbaker.ca/post/do-not-assume-the-purpose-behind-your-instructions-is-obvious-communication/https://rickbaker.ca/post/do-not-assume-the-purpose-behind-your-instructions-is-obvious-communication/Sun, 20 Sep 2020 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We cannot assume the purpose of our thinking is obvious. We cannot assume the purpose of their thinking is obvious. And, we are… https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-things-are-urgent-some-things-are-important-very-few-things-are-both-urgent-and-important-decisions/https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-things-are-urgent-some-things-are-important-very-few-things-are-both-urgent-and-important-decisions/Thu, 17 Sep 2020 07:43:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The vast majority of important things are not urgent and so they can be postponed. And unfortunately, on a regular basis… https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-leaders-repeat-messages-so-good-followers-dont-repeat-errors-delegation/https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-leaders-repeat-messages-so-good-followers-dont-repeat-errors-delegation/Wed, 16 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet " I have a dream "...followers remembered because Martin Luther King Jr. repeated. 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/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/people-question-their-bosses-decisions-the-point/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-question-their-bosses-decisions-the-point/Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:22:00 -0500I won’t be surprised in the slightest way if you figure The Point is a rather trite point. My argument is – it isn’t a trite point. The Point is a point… https://rickbaker.ca/post/helping-people-who-are-indecisive/https://rickbaker.ca/post/helping-people-who-are-indecisive/Tue, 11 Apr 2017 08:10:00 -0500It seems some people choose to be indecisive . However, it would be dangerous to jump to the conclusion that decision-avoidance is a ‘happily made’ choice… https://rickbaker.ca/post/indecision-and-the-procrastination-death-spiral/https://rickbaker.ca/post/indecision-and-the-procrastination-death-spiral/Thu, 02 Feb 2017 07:03:00 -0500Some people choose to be indecisive . Some people are indecisive simply because it has become one of their bad habits. Some people are indecisive and are… 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/you-know-what-you-need-or-you-dont-introduction/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-know-what-you-need-or-you-dont-introduction/Tue, 12 Jul 2016 07:14:00 -0500Some people know exactly what they need. They know the details. They know their 'must haves', their 'nice to haves', and their 'fantasy wish lists'. And … https://rickbaker.ca/post/on-indecision/https://rickbaker.ca/post/on-indecision/Mon, 01 Feb 2016 07:41:00 -0500Some call it paralysis by analysis...others call it risk management...others are silent, hoping it will go away. https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-king-gets-to-make-a-mess/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-king-gets-to-make-a-mess/Thu, 21 Jan 2016 07:00:00 -0500The King gets to make a mess, others get to clean it up...and some, the privileged ones, get to analyze it. How does that make you feel? Now, I recognize… https://rickbaker.ca/post/hyper-delegation/https://rickbaker.ca/post/hyper-delegation/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 21:20:00 -0500Sometimes delegation takes its suspenders firmly with both hands and tugs sharply to hoist itself to a whole new level known as hyper-delegation . It can be… https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-not-take-a-swot-at-everything/https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-not-take-a-swot-at-everything/Thu, 05 Feb 2015 07:43:00 -0500Why not take a SWOT at decision-making ? Why not take a SWOT at hiring decisions ? Why not use SWOT to fight perfectionism ? https://rickbaker.ca/post/empowering-people-for-great-decisions-expanded-decision/https://rickbaker.ca/post/empowering-people-for-great-decisions-expanded-decision/Tue, 16 Dec 2014 10:42:00 -0500Of course, good leaders want to: Do a good job at delegating authority for decision making Empower people so they are motivated to expand their decision… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-stop-and-think-about-it/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-stop-and-think-about-it/Mon, 08 Dec 2014 08:07:00 -0500Of course, when you believe you are too busy you will not stop to think...you will just continue to 'do stuff'. https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-we-want-a-person-to-succeed-at-doing-a-work-task/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-we-want-a-person-to-succeed-at-doing-a-work-task/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:09:00 -0500When we want a person to succeed at doing a work-task we must consider 3 things: 1. The Task [the thoughts and action steps required for success] 2. The… https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-we-should-think-about-work-tasks-before-delegating-them/https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-we-should-think-about-work-tasks-before-delegating-them/Wed, 29 Oct 2014 06:51:00 -0500When leaders and managers spend time thinking about work-tasks before they delegate them to people they gain advantage over those who choose not to invest… https://rickbaker.ca/post/with-a-fanfare-of-keen-sense-of-judgment-unleash-creativity/https://rickbaker.ca/post/with-a-fanfare-of-keen-sense-of-judgment-unleash-creativity/Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:22:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Keen Sense Of Justice - in his 1937 classic 'Think and Grow Rich', Napoleon Hill taught this leadership attribute. Somehow, our… https://rickbaker.ca/post/delegation-is-like-walking-a-tightrope-a-slip-up-can-bring-you-down-and-failure-to-step-gets-you-nowhere/https://rickbaker.ca/post/delegation-is-like-walking-a-tightrope-a-slip-up-can-bring-you-down-and-failure-to-step-gets-you-nowhere/Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:39:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Take Delegation seriously. It is really important to do it and to allow yourself and your people to learn from errors. https://rickbaker.ca/post/delegation-asking-for-help/https://rickbaker.ca/post/delegation-asking-for-help/Wed, 04 Jun 2014 07:02:00 -0500Delegation is a communication within a spectrum ranging from asking for help to telling people what to do. In most situations it's best to approach… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-993/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-993/Wed, 07 May 2014 08:48:00 -0500Thought Tweet #993 When the status quo is getting you down, take your finger off the limbo switch ! The Thinking Behind The Tweet Don't bend over backwards… https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-solution-mindset/https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-solution-mindset/Mon, 28 Apr 2014 09:53:00 -0500Before you blame People for the problems make sure you have given sufficient thought to the Processes and the Situation. https://rickbaker.ca/post/criticism-meet-decision-decision-meet-criticism/https://rickbaker.ca/post/criticism-meet-decision-decision-meet-criticism/Wed, 16 Apr 2014 09:54:00 -0500We do not have to deliver criticism. It is a choice. It is a decision. https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-966/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-966/Mon, 31 Mar 2014 08:59:00 -0500Thought Tweet #966 ' To Do ' lists often fail. Whereas ' To Do ' + ' Why Do ' = Success. The Thinking Behind The Tweet Thinking about interests, purpose… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-953/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-953/Wed, 12 Mar 2014 08:39:00 -0500Thought Tweet #953 If you can convince yourself you are too busy then you too can make worse decisions. The Thinking Behind The Tweet It's all in the way you… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-952/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-952/Tue, 11 Mar 2014 08:29:00 -0500Thought Tweet #952 Wow! Emotions sure make some quick, wild, & crazy decisions. The Thinking Behind The Tweet And - Emotions delegate erratically & poorly… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-951/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-951/Mon, 10 Mar 2014 08:19:00 -0500Thought Tweet #951 The processes you use when you communicate influence people more than the logic you express. The Thinking Behind The Tweet According to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-perfectionists/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-perfectionists/Mon, 03 Mar 2014 08:29:00 -0500Wouldn’t it be interesting if perfectionists would allow us to walk step-by-step with them as they perform their perfectionist role. When they are being the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-920/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-920/Fri, 24 Jan 2014 08:18:00 -0500Thought Tweet #920 In general, Canadian business leaders do not invest enough time designing ways to delegate effectively. The Thinking Behind The Tweet In… https://rickbaker.ca/post/bringing-process-to-people-bringing-people-to-process-part-3/https://rickbaker.ca/post/bringing-process-to-people-bringing-people-to-process-part-3/Fri, 17 Jan 2014 08:23:00 -0500Link to Part 1 Bringing People to Process - What does that mean? We can lead a horse to water but we can't make it drink. We can lead a person to work but we… https://rickbaker.ca/post/bringing-process-to-people-bringing-people-to-process-part-2/https://rickbaker.ca/post/bringing-process-to-people-bringing-people-to-process-part-2/Thu, 16 Jan 2014 09:07:00 -0500Link to Part 1 Bringing Process to People - What does that mean? There's a spectrum of answers to that question. The spectrum ranges from Delegation to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/bringing-process-to-people-bringing-people-to-process-part-1/https://rickbaker.ca/post/bringing-process-to-people-bringing-people-to-process-part-1/Tue, 14 Jan 2014 08:57:00 -0500Process - What does that mean? Processes are sequences of tasks , performed by People or machines. The sequences of tasks can be simple. For example, a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-889/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-889/Thu, 12 Dec 2013 08:12:00 -0500Thought Tweet #889 When you are beating your head against an unbudging brick wall, don't make your next decision another bad one. The Thinking Behind The… https://rickbaker.ca/post/theres-2-ways-to-get-things-done-in-business/https://rickbaker.ca/post/theres-2-ways-to-get-things-done-in-business/Mon, 18 Nov 2013 09:12:00 -0500There are two ways to get things done in business: self-selection/direction & mastered delegation. Some people are natural-born self-selectors/directors… https://rickbaker.ca/post/delegation-the-decision-making-engine-of-business/https://rickbaker.ca/post/delegation-the-decision-making-engine-of-business/Wed, 13 Nov 2013 08:54:00 -0500Delegation: the business-process engine