https://rickbaker.ca/category/humour/ 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/good-news-you-have-an-emotionally-charged-group-of-leaders-now-how-do-you-convert-that-energy-to-the-positive/https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-news-you-have-an-emotionally-charged-group-of-leaders-now-how-do-you-convert-that-energy-to-the-positive/Sun, 05 Dec 2021 07:30:00 -0500When our ancestors first saw fire, the first things they saw and understood were destruction and danger. As time passed, as they became more thoughtful and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-make-sure-your-confidence-does-not-threaten-your-followers/https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-make-sure-your-confidence-does-not-threaten-your-followers/Sat, 04 Dec 2021 07:27:00 -0500Some followers are intimidated by Leader's self-confidence. Here are some Spirited suggestions, to make sure you do not come across that way: Be authentic…it… https://rickbaker.ca/post/plan-for-the-particular-and-the-peculiarbecause-thats-what-you-areand-so-is-your-perspective-viewpoints/https://rickbaker.ca/post/plan-for-the-particular-and-the-peculiarbecause-thats-what-you-areand-so-is-your-perspective-viewpoints/Sat, 31 Jul 2021 07:25:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Particular, peculiar, distinctive, & unique: in the English language the meaning of these words overlap. Of these 4 words, we… https://rickbaker.ca/post/make-meetings-so-laborious-people-choose-to-do-the-work-between-them-over-discussing-excuses-during-them/https://rickbaker.ca/post/make-meetings-so-laborious-people-choose-to-do-the-work-between-them-over-discussing-excuses-during-them/Thu, 17 Jun 2021 07:12:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of excuses. Anticipate Situations . https://rickbaker.ca/post/howling-at-the-moon-wont-make-it-any-brighter-yapping-dogs-dont-make-their-owners-any-smarter/https://rickbaker.ca/post/howling-at-the-moon-wont-make-it-any-brighter-yapping-dogs-dont-make-their-owners-any-smarter/Sat, 12 Jun 2021 07:23:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Constructive criticism is an oxymoron ...in relationships, it's an interpersonal liberty taken one step too far. https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-think-600-700-words-per-minute-people-talk-100-200-words-per-minute-most-people-listenmaybe-1-or-2/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-think-600-700-words-per-minute-people-talk-100-200-words-per-minute-most-people-listenmaybe-1-or-2/Mon, 07 Jun 2021 07:30:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Listening - a little bit goes a long way. Just imagine what could be accomplished by a lot of listening. 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/5-reasons-to-listen-1-to-respond-2-to-act-3-to-understand-4-because-its-your-job-5-because-you-like-people-2021/https://rickbaker.ca/post/5-reasons-to-listen-1-to-respond-2-to-act-3-to-understand-4-because-its-your-job-5-because-you-like-people-2021/Fri, 04 Jun 2021 07:38:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Most people listen poorly . It's reciprocal: people don't listen to them so they return the disfavour. Then there's this pent… https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-ancient-wisdom-for-success-have-bone-in-back-not-bone-in-head/https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-ancient-wisdom-for-success-have-bone-in-back-not-bone-in-head/Thu, 03 Jun 2021 07:19:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet Probably no ancient person ever said that. But, we will never know for sure. On the other hand, I did write “ People… https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-are-so-derisiveif-only-you-could-change-that-r-to-a-c-youd-have-one-good-character-attribute-going-for-you/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-are-so-derisiveif-only-you-could-change-that-r-to-a-c-youd-have-one-good-character-attribute-going-for-you/Tue, 25 May 2021 07:24:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet This thought occurred to me while I was trying not to listen to a particularly annoying nitpicker. ...but for one letter… https://rickbaker.ca/post/our-fingers-naturally-point-outwards-perhaps-thats-why-we-point-at-others-when-its-time-to-place-blame-criticism/https://rickbaker.ca/post/our-fingers-naturally-point-outwards-perhaps-thats-why-we-point-at-others-when-its-time-to-place-blame-criticism/Mon, 24 May 2021 07:58:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The joys of evolution! It seems [until someone helps me understand otherwise] we humans are the only animals capable of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-pre-historic-times-people-who-didnt-listen-got-eatennow-they-propagate-at-will-listen/https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-pre-historic-times-people-who-didnt-listen-got-eatennow-they-propagate-at-will-listen/Tue, 18 May 2021 07:18:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Could it be 21 st Century predators are a forgiving lot of creatures? Could it be Darwin was wrong? ...survival of the fittest… https://rickbaker.ca/post/other-people-prefer-it-when-you-are-present-minded-rather-than-absent-minded-focus/https://rickbaker.ca/post/other-people-prefer-it-when-you-are-present-minded-rather-than-absent-minded-focus/Sun, 16 May 2021 07:52:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet 'Getting present' is a Focus exercise...a mind-process of narrowing and fixing attention. 'Staying present' is a Concentration… https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-praise-our-phones-by-calling-them-smart-then-we-toss-them-away-replacing-them-in-adolescence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-praise-our-phones-by-calling-them-smart-then-we-toss-them-away-replacing-them-in-adolescence/Sun, 09 May 2021 07:37:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Our technologies are becoming as fragile as our relationships. Puppy Love used to apply to puppies...then it morphed toward… 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/its-okay-to-yell-and-scream-at-workcelebrations-do-not-have-to-be-subdued/https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-okay-to-yell-and-scream-at-workcelebrations-do-not-have-to-be-subdued/Sun, 04 Apr 2021 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Baby Boomers , an interesting ' generation ': grew up under pressure ...watched the first steps on the moon...survived disco… https://rickbaker.ca/post/social-media-provides-an-excellent-opportunity-to-say-what-you-say-instead-of-do-what-you-do/https://rickbaker.ca/post/social-media-provides-an-excellent-opportunity-to-say-what-you-say-instead-of-do-what-you-do/Mon, 22 Mar 2021 07:09:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Are you hunkering down over anti-social media? Some thoughts about Fake Work . ...yes...pots do call kettles black. https://rickbaker.ca/post/eggs-dont-hatch-where-scarcity-thinking-roosts/https://rickbaker.ca/post/eggs-dont-hatch-where-scarcity-thinking-roosts/Tue, 02 Mar 2021 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Scarcity-thinking stifles curiosity and creativity and when curiosity and creativity are stifled success is elusive. It is… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-we-were-newborn-babes-we-somehow-knew-the-best-way-to-get-what-we-wanted-was-kicking-and-screaming/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-we-were-newborn-babes-we-somehow-knew-the-best-way-to-get-what-we-wanted-was-kicking-and-screaming/Sun, 28 Feb 2021 07:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we were newborn babes, we somehow knew the best way to get what we wanted was kicking and screaming. At first, really nice… https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-ancient-times-it-was-easy-to-protect-intellectual-propertyvery-few-people-could-read-or-chisel-writing-into-stone/https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-ancient-times-it-was-easy-to-protect-intellectual-propertyvery-few-people-could-read-or-chisel-writing-into-stone/Fri, 26 Feb 2021 07:28:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet There's a long legacy of ' idea theft'. When our ancestors got beyond chisels and stones and into more-formal business… https://rickbaker.ca/post/time-management-tip-file-files-their-name-lets-us-know-what-we-are-supposed-to-do-with-them/https://rickbaker.ca/post/time-management-tip-file-files-their-name-lets-us-know-what-we-are-supposed-to-do-with-them/Wed, 24 Feb 2021 07:24:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Well...that is why they call them files isn't it? I mean - those things don't have that name because of some other… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-deviant-behaviour-in-business-remove-some-emulate-some-take-care-with-the-choices-you-make/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-deviant-behaviour-in-business-remove-some-emulate-some-take-care-with-the-choices-you-make/Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:27:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet To influence change, you must focus on specific vital behaviours. Find 'deviant' behaviour that needs to be removed...find… https://rickbaker.ca/post/problems-are-both-the-beast-and-the-beauty-of-business/https://rickbaker.ca/post/problems-are-both-the-beast-and-the-beauty-of-business/Sun, 07 Feb 2021 07:37:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Remember... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And beasts are also in the eye of the beholder. *** "A beast does not know… https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-days-of-old-fear-made-us-fit-and-functional-now-with-many-options-as-close-as-our-remote-we-rarely-allow-that/https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-days-of-old-fear-made-us-fit-and-functional-now-with-many-options-as-close-as-our-remote-we-rarely-allow-that/Mon, 25 Jan 2021 07:48:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Fear is the part of the human condition that provides us a fighting [or flighting ] chance to survive. In tougher-times-of-old… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-are-spending-too-much-time-fighting-fires-at-work-your-career-is-getting-doused/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-are-spending-too-much-time-fighting-fires-at-work-your-career-is-getting-doused/Tue, 19 Jan 2021 07:10:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The economy would get a serious boost if 10% of business people would apply the 80/20 Rule and spend more time doing work… 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/when-theres-no-two-ways-about-it-it-isnt-good-conversation-communication/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-theres-no-two-ways-about-it-it-isnt-good-conversation-communication/Thu, 14 Jan 2021 07:31:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Well...that's an idiom wrapped up in an aphorism wrapped up in a bit of truism. Regardless, closed minds don't tolerate others'… https://rickbaker.ca/post/so-you-have-a-mind-like-a-steel-trap-do-you-then-you-will-know-intelligent-life-forms-choose-to-avoid-traps/https://rickbaker.ca/post/so-you-have-a-mind-like-a-steel-trap-do-you-then-you-will-know-intelligent-life-forms-choose-to-avoid-traps/Wed, 13 Jan 2021 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Illustrations of mental prowess can put people off....especially when performed by braggarts and wiseacres. https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-hit-the-grand-slam-in-business-use-your-wombat/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-hit-the-grand-slam-in-business-use-your-wombat/Mon, 28 Dec 2020 07:49:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet WOMBAT W ord O f M outh B usiness A cquisition T eam https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-our-ancestors-thought-and-acted-like-they-were-too-busy-they-would-have-been-eaten-then-where-would-we-be/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-our-ancestors-thought-and-acted-like-they-were-too-busy-they-would-have-been-eaten-then-where-would-we-be/Fri, 18 Dec 2020 07:36:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The next time you feel inclined to complain about being too busy think of your ancestors . Wonderful heritage - Evolution… https://rickbaker.ca/post/prediction-is-very-difficult-especially-if-its-about-the-future/https://rickbaker.ca/post/prediction-is-very-difficult-especially-if-its-about-the-future/Thu, 17 Dec 2020 07:08:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet While those words could have come from the lips of Yogi Berra or Mark Twain, they did not. It is a quote from the Danish… https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-give-ideas-the-brake-give-ideas-a-break-support-a-local-curious-person/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-give-ideas-the-brake-give-ideas-a-break-support-a-local-curious-person/Wed, 16 Dec 2020 07:18:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet I believe it has been clearly established that curiosity does not kill cats. I'm suspecting dog lovers created that myth...you… https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-takes-two-to-tug-of-warunless-of-course-you-choose-to-battle-people-in-your-head/https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-takes-two-to-tug-of-warunless-of-course-you-choose-to-battle-people-in-your-head/Tue, 15 Dec 2020 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It takes two to tango; it takes two to tangle; it takes two to tug-of-war. And, more often than not, the two must bring an… https://rickbaker.ca/post/allow-a-bit-of-the-child-in-you-to-generate-and-enjoy-workplace-humour/https://rickbaker.ca/post/allow-a-bit-of-the-child-in-you-to-generate-and-enjoy-workplace-humour/Sat, 12 Dec 2020 07:14:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet A sense of humour is a facet of a pleasing personality and it is a gift possessed by the greatest of leaders. Of course, your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-did-evolution-deny-human-ears-the-privilege-of-showing-us-when-they-are-actually-operating/https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-did-evolution-deny-human-ears-the-privilege-of-showing-us-when-they-are-actually-operating/Fri, 04 Dec 2020 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Our eyes fare better. Even our mouths, which cause us so much trouble, fare better. This helps us understand why dogs are Mans'… https://rickbaker.ca/post/im-annoyed-by-that-cliche-skin-in-the-game-i-want-to-hear-about-skull-in-the-game/https://rickbaker.ca/post/im-annoyed-by-that-cliche-skin-in-the-game-i-want-to-hear-about-skull-in-the-game/Thu, 03 Dec 2020 07:33:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Let's forget about putting money in & getting that pound of flesh and set our sights a bit higher...that is, let's concentrate… https://rickbaker.ca/post/overheard-at-the-placebo-plantlisten-up-boss-ive-got-this-great-new-product-idea/https://rickbaker.ca/post/overheard-at-the-placebo-plantlisten-up-boss-ive-got-this-great-new-product-idea/Tue, 24 Nov 2020 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet How would one go about recruiting employees for a placebo plant? What traits and qualities would one look for? Would quality… https://rickbaker.ca/post/i-used-to-give-people-pieces-of-my-mind-now-i-know-i-cannot-afford-such-giveaways/https://rickbaker.ca/post/i-used-to-give-people-pieces-of-my-mind-now-i-know-i-cannot-afford-such-giveaways/Sun, 15 Nov 2020 07:13:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Even if I could afford to waste my brain, it's much more fulfilling to cut people up to size. https://rickbaker.ca/post/understanding-fire-thats-one-of-mans-greatest-achievements-that-applies-both-externally-and-internally/https://rickbaker.ca/post/understanding-fire-thats-one-of-mans-greatest-achievements-that-applies-both-externally-and-internally/Sat, 14 Nov 2020 07:15:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Where would we be without an understanding of how to use fire? Wouldn't we be cold and uncomfortable? Wouldn't we be uninspired… https://rickbaker.ca/post/catcheth-thou-when-thou-doth-protest-too-much/https://rickbaker.ca/post/catcheth-thou-when-thou-doth-protest-too-much/Tue, 10 Nov 2020 07:30:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet There's a good reason why Shakespeare put that " doth protest too much " line in Hamlet. Many people are unable to express an… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-laymans-mindfulness-use-more-noggin-do-less-sloggin-2020/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-laymans-mindfulness-use-more-noggin-do-less-sloggin-2020/Sun, 01 Nov 2020 07:19:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Mind Your Behaviour: use a little more brain, have a lot less pain. https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-get-something-out-of-your-system-make-it-productivity/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-get-something-out-of-your-system-make-it-productivity/Sun, 25 Oct 2020 07:27:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet I believe it was James Watt who first said, " If you want to blow off steam, put it to work ." [I could be wrong about that...] https://rickbaker.ca/post/better-to-be-skilled-at-puzzles-than-cross-words-2020/https://rickbaker.ca/post/better-to-be-skilled-at-puzzles-than-cross-words-2020/Fri, 16 Oct 2020 07:49:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When you are skilled at puzzles you deliver value. When you are skilled at cross words you remove value. Constructive criticism… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-people-to-bring-your-ideas-to-life-show-an-interest-in-theirs-communication-attitude/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-people-to-bring-your-ideas-to-life-show-an-interest-in-theirs-communication-attitude/Thu, 15 Oct 2020 07:36:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Sure, of course, you're not biased and you know full well your ideas are superior! But don't let that stop you from listening… https://rickbaker.ca/post/ignorance-is-bliss-enlightenment-is-bliss-the-work-in-between-is-the-tough-part-bliss/https://rickbaker.ca/post/ignorance-is-bliss-enlightenment-is-bliss-the-work-in-between-is-the-tough-part-bliss/Mon, 12 Oct 2020 07:48:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet For some reason, we have an old saying, " Ignorance is bliss. " Obviously, that's an exaggeration...or is it? At the other end… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-think-time-flies-try-holding-your-breath-while-your-boss-is-telling-a-story/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-think-time-flies-try-holding-your-breath-while-your-boss-is-telling-a-story/Sat, 10 Oct 2020 07:16:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Einstein showed us that time is relative. [Maybe that's why it's easier to hold your breath when a relative is telling a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/speak-of-the-devils-advocatebetter-still-bite-your-tongue/https://rickbaker.ca/post/speak-of-the-devils-advocatebetter-still-bite-your-tongue/Wed, 07 Oct 2020 07:22:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Constructive criticism is an oxymoron. Devil's Advocates ... here's an excerpt from Wikipedia: "In common parlance, a devil's… https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-was-that-you-said-about-listening/https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-was-that-you-said-about-listening/Fri, 02 Oct 2020 07:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Is it possible the more you talk about listening the less other people are inclined to do it? If you must speak to the topic… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-cannot-see-the-forest-for-the-trees-youre-too-far-out-on-that-limb/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-cannot-see-the-forest-for-the-trees-youre-too-far-out-on-that-limb/Sat, 19 Sep 2020 07:34:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Few people possess the ability to think strategically while having a solid grasp of the details of the plan. Some people do not… https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-eat-sour-fruit-sparingly-yet-they-complain-about-it-much/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-eat-sour-fruit-sparingly-yet-they-complain-about-it-much/Fri, 18 Sep 2020 07:35:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Sometimes sour fruit is the best thing to consume. The British found that out several centuries ago and the practice of eating…