https://rickbaker.ca/category/thought-tweets/ 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/knowledge-costs-money-lack-of-knowledge-costs-more/https://rickbaker.ca/post/knowledge-costs-money-lack-of-knowledge-costs-more/Wed, 30 Jun 2021 07:43:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We must pay to learn . We can buy knowledge contained in books. We can buy knowledge contained in hard knocks . We must pay… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-power-behind-our-reactions-is-far-too-important-to-be-left-to-chance/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-power-behind-our-reactions-is-far-too-important-to-be-left-to-chance/Tue, 29 Jun 2021 07:51:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Knee-jerk reactions catch our attention and we hold them in disfavour. Yet – what are we doing to make sure they don’t happen… https://rickbaker.ca/post/deliberate-practice-allows-talents-to-master-tasks-so-dont-allow-your-talents-to-wing-it/https://rickbaker.ca/post/deliberate-practice-allows-talents-to-master-tasks-so-dont-allow-your-talents-to-wing-it/Mon, 28 Jun 2021 07:35:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Take Talent To Task: Take Task To Talent. That's a lot better than taking weakness to tasks and taking tasks to people who are… https://rickbaker.ca/post/only-a-silly-person-would-waste-time-talking-about-not-having-enough-time/https://rickbaker.ca/post/only-a-silly-person-would-waste-time-talking-about-not-having-enough-time/Sun, 27 Jun 2021 07:17:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet I mean - you wouldn't throw away perfectly good food while complaining about being hungry...would you? The time right in front… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-essence-of-business-is-exchange-of-value/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-essence-of-business-is-exchange-of-value/Sat, 26 Jun 2021 07:52:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Stephen R Covey taught - the essence of business is relationships . I believe the essence of business is exchange of value . I… https://rickbaker.ca/post/loyalty-is-trusts-better-half-trust/https://rickbaker.ca/post/loyalty-is-trusts-better-half-trust/Fri, 25 Jun 2021 07:45:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We should cut loyal people some slack. They should not be taken for granted. They deserve much-better-than-average treatment… https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-things-come-in-little-packages-thats-the-key-to-excellent-work-process-success-process-task/https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-things-come-in-little-packages-thats-the-key-to-excellent-work-process-success-process-task/Thu, 24 Jun 2021 07:38:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Dr. Richard Carlson taught - " Don't sweat the small stuff ". That's good advice as long as it confined within the following… https://rickbaker.ca/post/organized-people-get-work-done-disorganized-people-get-work-repeated/https://rickbaker.ca/post/organized-people-get-work-done-disorganized-people-get-work-repeated/Wed, 23 Jun 2021 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Disorganization = more errors = more fixing of errors = repeated work. And, of course, disorganization consumes time and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/little-of-value-exists-without-self-confidence-self-confidence-moves-the-world/https://rickbaker.ca/post/little-of-value-exists-without-self-confidence-self-confidence-moves-the-world/Tue, 22 Jun 2021 07:40:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Self-confidence sustains. Self-confidence is the catalyst of progress. Self-confidence moves people. Self-confidence… https://rickbaker.ca/post/perception-is-realityand-perceptions-change-over-time-taking-reality-with-them/https://rickbaker.ca/post/perception-is-realityand-perceptions-change-over-time-taking-reality-with-them/Mon, 21 Jun 2021 07:05:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Perceptions are fragile things. Our perceptions are partial, filtered, skewed... Even some of our most-vivid and most-believed… https://rickbaker.ca/post/toe-the-line-and-be-ready-to-leap-before-opportunity-knocks/https://rickbaker.ca/post/toe-the-line-and-be-ready-to-leap-before-opportunity-knocks/Sun, 20 Jun 2021 07:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet " Be Prepared " - Boy Scout motto Lord Baden-Powell - Soldier, Writer, Boy Scouts Founder (1857-1941) *** Opportunity rides on… https://rickbaker.ca/post/powerful-leaders-take-us-to-new-realities/https://rickbaker.ca/post/powerful-leaders-take-us-to-new-realities/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 07:56:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Powerful leaders possess the ability to bring about ' new realities '...some tremendously good, some tremendously bad. While… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-see-your-bosss-weaknesses-do-you-see-your-opportunities-opportunity/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-see-your-bosss-weaknesses-do-you-see-your-opportunities-opportunity/Fri, 18 Jun 2021 07:13:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Many people complain about the boss. That's the norm. Few people realize the boss' weaknesses are prime routes to… 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/yes-it-can-be-difficultthats-why-its-called-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/yes-it-can-be-difficultthats-why-its-called-work/Wed, 16 Jun 2021 07:49:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet But, Difficult should not mean Unpleasant . Physically-difficult work burns up energy in muscles, etc. It strengthens the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-benefit-when-someone-or-something-makes-us-do-what-we-can/https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-benefit-when-someone-or-something-makes-us-do-what-we-can/Tue, 15 Jun 2021 07:28:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Even the great Ralph Waldo Emerson needed that sort of help. Emerson said, " What I most need is somebody to make me do what I… https://rickbaker.ca/post/workplace-high-pressure-does-it-cut-the-feet-out-from-under-your-smartest-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/workplace-high-pressure-does-it-cut-the-feet-out-from-under-your-smartest-people/Mon, 14 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet A high IQ doesn’t necessarily mean a high ability to work under stress . In fact, it is possible the opposite is true. Do you… https://rickbaker.ca/post/negative-feelings-cheat-us-they-take-much-energy-from-us-and-they-give-little-of-value-in-return/https://rickbaker.ca/post/negative-feelings-cheat-us-they-take-much-energy-from-us-and-they-give-little-of-value-in-return/Sun, 13 Jun 2021 07:46:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We feel good when we participate in fair & square deals! We would be annoyed if someone else came by and started stealing our… https://rickbaker.ca/post/anxiety-be-present-dont-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/anxiety-be-present-dont-fret-over-it-observe-it-in-real-time-learn-what-it-takes-to-control-it-if-it-gets-out-of-hand/Sun, 13 Jun 2021 07:22:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Anxiety is in our genes...what we feel now is the legacy of the fight or flight 'wiring' that allowed our ancestors to bring us… 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/when-you-chase-your-tail-literally-you-get-tired-when-you-chase-your-tail-figuratively-you-get-nowhere/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-chase-your-tail-literally-you-get-tired-when-you-chase-your-tail-figuratively-you-get-nowhere/Fri, 11 Jun 2021 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Bad Habits are a lot like chasing your tail. They consume energy and take you away from your long-term goals. Loss of Focus and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/creativity-in-science-appears-when-insightful-theories-test-known-truths-the-same-applies-in-business/https://rickbaker.ca/post/creativity-in-science-appears-when-insightful-theories-test-known-truths-the-same-applies-in-business/Thu, 10 Jun 2021 07:23:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If the writers of screen and theater plays decide the status quo is good enough and stop coming up with new ways to get our… https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-all-have-the-same-amount-of-timewe-know-the-past-is-gonewe-know-we-have-the-presentwe-only-hope-we-have-the-future/https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-all-have-the-same-amount-of-timewe-know-the-past-is-gonewe-know-we-have-the-presentwe-only-hope-we-have-the-future/Wed, 09 Jun 2021 07:07:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Time is our most-precious commodity. We cannot afford to waste any of it complaining about not having enough of it. Only a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/sometimes-you-just-can-win/https://rickbaker.ca/post/sometimes-you-just-can-win/Tue, 08 Jun 2021 07:48:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Sure, sometimes you just can't win. Everybody knows that. Almost everybody says that. And, some people are caught up in the… 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/fear-is-a-an-impulse-b-a-habit-c-a-disease/https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-is-a-an-impulse-b-a-habit-c-a-disease/Sat, 05 Jun 2021 07:33:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet That's a quote from Frank Channing Haddock's ' The Culture of Courage ', (1910). What an interesting view of fear. What an… 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/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/dont-let-yourself-get-so-busy-you-let-situations-catch-you-unpreparedanticipate-situations-plan-ahead/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-let-yourself-get-so-busy-you-let-situations-catch-you-unpreparedanticipate-situations-plan-ahead/Tue, 01 Jun 2021 07:57:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet So many people think they are ' too busy ' when the reality is they are 'too unprepared'. They live a business life consumed by… 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/inspire-business-people-by-letting-them-know-that-you-know-what-they-do-when-they-are-at-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/inspire-business-people-by-letting-them-know-that-you-know-what-they-do-when-they-are-at-work/Sun, 30 May 2021 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If you believe people know what you do when you are at work then check again ...you may be quite surprised to find others have… https://rickbaker.ca/post/few-situations-provide-opportunities-to-do-big-things-all-situations-provide-opportunities-to-do-small-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/few-situations-provide-opportunities-to-do-big-things-all-situations-provide-opportunities-to-do-small-things/Sat, 29 May 2021 07:13:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet All situations offer, at least, small learning experiences. All situations provide the opportunity for self-discovery and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/never-give-upyou-owe-it-to-yourselfyou-owe-it-to-your-familyyou-owe-it-to-life/https://rickbaker.ca/post/never-give-upyou-owe-it-to-yourselfyou-owe-it-to-your-familyyou-owe-it-to-life/Fri, 28 May 2021 07:38:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Of course, Sir Winston Churchill comes to mind, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-influencing-powerful-people-1/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-influencing-powerful-people-1/Thu, 27 May 2021 07:05:00 -0500Here's a quote from Dirk Schlimm - “ I learned that influencing powerful people is a better and more effective route than complaining about them. ” This… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-a-combination-of-skills-goals-plans-is-not-present-people-give-up-their-dreams-hope/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-a-combination-of-skills-goals-plans-is-not-present-people-give-up-their-dreams-hope/Wed, 26 May 2021 07:17:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Skills , goals and plans will always be required. Without these basics, work is demoralizing and frustrating. Without these… 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/the-joys-of-job-seeking-hiring-people-connecting-maximizing-the-achievement-of-common-goals/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-joys-of-job-seeking-hiring-people-connecting-maximizing-the-achievement-of-common-goals/Sun, 23 May 2021 07:26:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It isn't about the amount of formal education. It isn't about the number of years of prior-employment experience. It is about… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-more-you-use-your-talents-the-harder-it-is-to-wear-them-out-talent/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-more-you-use-your-talents-the-harder-it-is-to-wear-them-out-talent/Sat, 22 May 2021 07:18:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We struggle when we don't use our Talents ...many of us accept that struggling lot in life...and some of us embrace struggling… https://rickbaker.ca/post/two-keys-to-beating-your-competition-start-finish/https://rickbaker.ca/post/two-keys-to-beating-your-competition-start-finish/Fri, 21 May 2021 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If you make a habit of doing these two things, you will be leaps & bounds ahead of the pack. Sure, there are many other things… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-build-them-up-dont-put-them-down-criticism/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-build-them-up-dont-put-them-down-criticism/Thu, 20 May 2021 07:05:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When you have authority, most people shut down, in one way or another, in response to your criticism ... Maybe you want them to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/our-intrinsic-goals-feel-rightthey-align-with-our-talents-strengthsso-they-inspire-they-energize-us/https://rickbaker.ca/post/our-intrinsic-goals-feel-rightthey-align-with-our-talents-strengthsso-they-inspire-they-energize-us/Wed, 19 May 2021 07:34:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Intrinsic Goals mesh with life purpose, mastery of task, and self-actualization. Naturally, intrinsic goals align with talents… 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/be-nothing-if-not-courageous/https://rickbaker.ca/post/be-nothing-if-not-courageous/Mon, 17 May 2021 07:37:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It's about personal values : If we are not courageous , what of value do we have to offer to others? If we are not courageous… 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…