https://rickbaker.ca/category/communication-improving-communication/ 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/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/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/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/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/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/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/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/when-will-must-win-at-all-costs-expectations-become-blind-to-the-realities-of-situations/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-will-must-win-at-all-costs-expectations-become-blind-to-the-realities-of-situations/Sat, 15 May 2021 07:41:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some people cannot adjust their thinking to fit the realities of the situations at hand. Some people cannot even begin to untie… https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-never-tire-of-fighting-the-same-battles-using-the-same-weapons-meeting-the-same-defeats-what-peculiar-stamina/https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-never-tire-of-fighting-the-same-battles-using-the-same-weapons-meeting-the-same-defeats-what-peculiar-stamina/Sat, 08 May 2021 07:45:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It seems some people never tire of experiencing the same old problems. What peculiar stamina! Perhaps most of us appear that… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-assume-communication-is-easy-youre-dreaming-alone-if-you-find-communication-is-easy-youre-dreaming-with-others/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-assume-communication-is-easy-youre-dreaming-alone-if-you-find-communication-is-easy-youre-dreaming-with-others/Fri, 07 May 2021 07:48:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Shared dreams and goals, naturally, breed quality communication. https://rickbaker.ca/post/duplication-annoys-some-people-others-recognize-repetition-is-a-key-to-learning-communication/https://rickbaker.ca/post/duplication-annoys-some-people-others-recognize-repetition-is-a-key-to-learning-communication/Mon, 03 May 2021 07:35:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Efficiency happens when things are done right the first time. Efficiency happens when people learn and remember. Some people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/even-those-not-blessed-with-natural-pleasing-personalities-can-learn-to-think-and-bite-their-tongues/https://rickbaker.ca/post/even-those-not-blessed-with-natural-pleasing-personalities-can-learn-to-think-and-bite-their-tongues/Fri, 30 Apr 2021 07:50:00 -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/communication-tip-it-usually-takes-more-than-three-weeks-to-prepare-a-good-impromptu-speech-mark-twain/https://rickbaker.ca/post/communication-tip-it-usually-takes-more-than-three-weeks-to-prepare-a-good-impromptu-speech-mark-twain/Sat, 24 Apr 2021 07:01:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet I am fascinated by skilled public speakers. What value for their audiences! And, Mark Twain, with that amazing wit of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-cannot-be-interested-at-least-be-interesting-ego/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-cannot-be-interested-at-least-be-interesting-ego/Thu, 15 Apr 2021 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Seek first to be interested and to understand. If you cannot handle that maybe you can compensate by being entertaining...or… https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-people-are-way-too-busy-talking-to-learn/https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-people-are-way-too-busy-talking-to-learn/Fri, 09 Apr 2021 07:09:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet I bet you've noticed some people simply must express their views. If someone interrupts them, sooner or later, one way or… 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/if-you-want-to-win-someone-over-then-let-him-know-that-you-know-what-he-does-when-he-is-at-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-win-someone-over-then-let-him-know-that-you-know-what-he-does-when-he-is-at-work/Sat, 20 Mar 2021 07:27:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Most people take at least some pride in their work...so they tell others about what they do when they are at work. Few people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/maybe-it-isnt-more-blessed-to-give-than-to-receive-consider-the-ben-franklin-effect/https://rickbaker.ca/post/maybe-it-isnt-more-blessed-to-give-than-to-receive-consider-the-ben-franklin-effect/Fri, 19 Mar 2021 07:26:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Ben Franklin found people, even people who clearly disliked him, responded positively when he asked them for a favour. As one… https://rickbaker.ca/post/talk-so-people-listenlisten-so-people-talk-influence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/talk-so-people-listenlisten-so-people-talk-influence/Sat, 13 Mar 2021 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet ' How To Talk So People Listen ', that's the title of a book written by Sonya Hamlin in 2006. How To Listen So People… 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/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/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/when-you-observe-the-how-the-why-either-resonates-and-amplifies-the-peaks-or-dis-harmonizes-and-diminishes-the-peaks/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-observe-the-how-the-why-either-resonates-and-amplifies-the-peaks-or-dis-harmonizes-and-diminishes-the-peaks/Wed, 10 Feb 2021 07:58:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet First, it is essential to do a good job of observing in order to properly perceive the How. Then, with the How understood, the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-make-a-fine-argument-zip-it-listen-watch-learn-listening/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-make-a-fine-argument-zip-it-listen-watch-learn-listening/Mon, 01 Feb 2021 07:39:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet First, learn about the extent of the fineness of your argument. I mean, bring your thick skin and thin skull...and keep your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/communication-tip-if-you-want-people-to-buy-into-your-ideas-then-you-must-pre-communicate-and-over-communicate/https://rickbaker.ca/post/communication-tip-if-you-want-people-to-buy-into-your-ideas-then-you-must-pre-communicate-and-over-communicate/Tue, 26 Jan 2021 07:10:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet Experts have been studying people connections, networks, and hubs for over 40 years. Experts concluded weak links , including… https://rickbaker.ca/post/introduce-interests-express-expectationsdo-not-leave-these-vital-communications-to-chance/https://rickbaker.ca/post/introduce-interests-express-expectationsdo-not-leave-these-vital-communications-to-chance/Thu, 21 Jan 2021 07:39:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If you introduce your Interests people have a chance to understand what you want. Maybe they share your Interests. Maybe their… https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-to-master-sales-learn-how-to-ask-good-questions-listen-think-share-solutions/https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-to-master-sales-learn-how-to-ask-good-questions-listen-think-share-solutions/Wed, 20 Jan 2021 07:13:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Despite the views of new-era social-media gurus, the Sales function is not dead. The Sales function will live and breathe as… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-leaders-tell-followers-what-to-do-they-need-to-limit-that-telling-to-big-picture-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-leaders-tell-followers-what-to-do-they-need-to-limit-that-telling-to-big-picture-things/Sat, 16 Jan 2021 07:24:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet Some think Leaders should provide followers latitude to do their work as they choose. Some think that’s the way to breed… 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/be-comfortable-allowing-what-people-do-to-overrule-what-they-say/https://rickbaker.ca/post/be-comfortable-allowing-what-people-do-to-overrule-what-they-say/Sun, 10 Jan 2021 07:27:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Confucius said, "There was a time when I merely listened attentively to what people said, and took for granted that they would… 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/in-business-the-best-relationships-are-built-when-pleasant-personalities-exchange-interesting-ideas/https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-business-the-best-relationships-are-built-when-pleasant-personalities-exchange-interesting-ideas/Mon, 04 Jan 2021 07:08:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet And, of course, the ideas contain value and there's following through on commitments. Link to Thought Tweet #278 https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-cannot-practice-what-we-dont-know-the-howbut-we-may-be-able-to-teach-the-how-when-we-dont-know-the-how/https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-cannot-practice-what-we-dont-know-the-howbut-we-may-be-able-to-teach-the-how-when-we-dont-know-the-how/Sat, 02 Jan 2021 07:24:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet " Do as I say, not as I do ." & " Practice what you preach. " We use these sayings as justifications and criticisms when advice… 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/when-you-criticize-people-their-brains-scream-no-and-constructive-communication-is-over/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-criticize-people-their-brains-scream-no-and-constructive-communication-is-over/Fri, 25 Dec 2020 07:37:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When 'No' thoughts are filling the brain there is little room for 'Yes" thoughts. In fact, chances are 'No' and 'Yes' thoughts… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-we-had-not-learned-the-word-no-when-we-were-young-we-would-spend-a-lot-less-time-thinking-about-our-mistakes/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-we-had-not-learned-the-word-no-when-we-were-young-we-would-spend-a-lot-less-time-thinking-about-our-mistakes/Sun, 20 Dec 2020 07:32:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we were young a lot of people started to say "No" to us. We were made to believe it was wrong to say and do certain… https://rickbaker.ca/post/where-are-your-coming-from-where-are-you-trying-to-go/https://rickbaker.ca/post/where-are-your-coming-from-where-are-you-trying-to-go/Sat, 19 Dec 2020 07:33:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Do people have thick enough skin to ask these questions? Do people have thick enough skin to answer them? It seems to me...if… https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-do-best-when-it-is-clear-they-have-sacred-rules-which-we-call-the-master-rules/https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-do-best-when-it-is-clear-they-have-sacred-rules-which-we-call-the-master-rules/Fri, 11 Dec 2020 07:29:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Master Rules : these are rules set by the Leader and well-communicated by the Leader to all followers. The Master Rules must… https://rickbaker.ca/post/extra-extra-read-all-about-it-the-future-shock-pandemic-is-upon-us-many-now-unable-to-return-phone-calls-2020/https://rickbaker.ca/post/extra-extra-read-all-about-it-the-future-shock-pandemic-is-upon-us-many-now-unable-to-return-phone-calls-2020/Tue, 08 Dec 2020 07:19:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When Alvin Toffler warned us about Future Shock he didn't mention all these people would become so shocked they wouldn't even… 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/the-busier-we-are-the-less-we-rememberdont-fight-ituse-check-lists/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-busier-we-are-the-less-we-rememberdont-fight-ituse-check-lists/Fri, 27 Nov 2020 07:49:00 -0500The 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… https://rickbaker.ca/post/communication-tip-google-the-words-how-to-listen-better-millions-of-ideas-just-pick-2-or-3-start-trying-them-today/https://rickbaker.ca/post/communication-tip-google-the-words-how-to-listen-better-millions-of-ideas-just-pick-2-or-3-start-trying-them-today/Wed, 25 Nov 2020 07:51:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet When we asked the LinkedIn question 'What does it take to be a good sales person?' the #1 answer was - ' Be a good listener .'… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-influence-then-learn-to-listen/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-influence-then-learn-to-listen/Wed, 18 Nov 2020 07:45:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet LinkedIn is a valuable tool. We can use it to discover what other people think about topics. I asked some of my LinkedIn… 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/ancient-communication-wisdom-men-trust-their-ears-less-than-their-eyes/https://rickbaker.ca/post/ancient-communication-wisdom-men-trust-their-ears-less-than-their-eyes/Fri, 06 Nov 2020 07:47:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet " Men trust their ears less than their eyes. " Herodotus Greek Historian, 484BCE-425BCE Now, 2400 years after Herodotus… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-leaders-fail-at-the-little-details-especially-the-interpersonal-details-trust-erodes/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-leaders-fail-at-the-little-details-especially-the-interpersonal-details-trust-erodes/Wed, 28 Oct 2020 07:30:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Trust is pretty much everything. Followers look to leaders for positives, subliminal or overt justifications for building trust. https://rickbaker.ca/post/most-people-tend-to-express-problems-in-ways-that-do-not-reveal-the-true-source-of-their-pain/https://rickbaker.ca/post/most-people-tend-to-express-problems-in-ways-that-do-not-reveal-the-true-source-of-their-pain/Thu, 22 Oct 2020 07:55:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet And most people reply to such cries for help with cries for help. [a helpful message from Eckhardt Tolle] It's all about the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/under-promise-and-over-deliver-under-talk-over-listen/https://rickbaker.ca/post/under-promise-and-over-deliver-under-talk-over-listen/Wed, 21 Oct 2020 07:16:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet Even while people are extremely busy, somehow they manage to remember the promises you didn’t deliver on. And, if people are… 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/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.