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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Nurture and develop a successor for your business. Mentor this person. Partner with this person.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 6, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Make sure this person knows he or she is your most-trusted business ally. Make sure this person wants to be in that role. Do not assume…talk openly and regularly about succession…talk openly and regularly about needs and aspirations, both yours and theirs.

Tags:

Influencing | Succession | Thought Tweets

9 out of 10 people believe they are good at communicating

by Rick Baker
On Aug 6, 2014

9 out of 10 people believe they are good at communicating. The remaining person, 1 out of 10, shrugs off the importance of communication.

Actually, if you explore further you find half of the 9 people also shrug off the importance of communication. They just don't shrug it off so outwardly or graphically. Their shrugs are more subtle and less noticeable.

In reality, while 9 out of 10 people believe they are good at communicating only about 5 out of 10 people truly do a good job of communicating.  

How can you tell if you were one of those 5 out of 10?

Answer: You can ask yourself whether or not you make intentional efforts, on an ongoing basis, to improve your communication. And you can ask yourself more detailed questions such as -

  • What do you do to improve your communication? and 
  • What education are you working to obtain to improve your communication?

If you cannot identify specific things you are doing to educate yourself about communication then you are probably among the 5 out of 10 who do not communicate well. 

If you cannot identify specific practice techniques you use to improve your communication then you are probably among the 5 out of 10 who do not communicate well. 

Tags:

Communication: Improving Communication

When business leaders express their difficulties, we should listen well before we attempt to suggest solutions.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 6, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Often, when business leaders express difficulties we either:

  • wave them off and change the topic,
  • reply with a difficulty of their own, or
  • reply with a quick and concrete piece of solution-advice.

These 3 reactions provide little if any value to the business leader [or to us].

If we want to help business leaders then we need to change the way we react/reply when we hear them express their difficulties. We need to listen better. We need to do our best to get into their shoes. We need to think, coming at the difficulty from different directions/perspectives. We need to do these things to (1) improve the quality of our response and (2) build trust with the leader.

When these things are done, then we can help with solutions.

Tags:

Influencing | Thought Tweets

The busier we are the less we remember...that's why there's value in writing things down.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 6, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Writing things down: it's a simple thing to do...it's also a powerful strategy for aiding memory and a powerful tactic for delivering on promises. And, that builds trust. So, writing things down provides support for building trust.

Tags:

Influencing | Thought Tweets

Cooperation has a mind of its own...and that quick mind works like a On/Off switch.

by Rick Baker
On Aug 6, 2014

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Don't take Cooperation for granted.

Deliver it.

Work to earn it.

Tags:

Attitude: Creating Positive Attitude | Thought Tweets

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