https://rickbaker.ca/category/leaders-thoughts/ 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/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/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/hope-is-not-a-strategy-but-it-is-an-essential-ingredient-of-leadership/https://rickbaker.ca/post/hope-is-not-a-strategy-but-it-is-an-essential-ingredient-of-leadership/Thu, 13 May 2021 07:15:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet 'Hope is not a Strategy' , an interesting business book by Rick Page. " Hope is an essential ingredient of leadership. " a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/self-knowledge-is-the-often-overlooked-success-ingredient-knowthyself/https://rickbaker.ca/post/self-knowledge-is-the-often-overlooked-success-ingredient-knowthyself/Wed, 12 May 2021 07:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet People who have a thorough understanding of themselves do better as business leaders. They understand their strengths and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-worked-in-your-business-then-you-worked-on-your-business-now-your-overdue-to-work-on-yourself/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-worked-in-your-business-then-you-worked-on-your-business-now-your-overdue-to-work-on-yourself/Tue, 04 May 2021 07:33:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet In the Emyth series of books, Michael Gerber explained the value of going beyond working in your business to working on your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/success-key-find-the-growth-that-aligns-with-both-the-pessimists-good-habits-and-the-optimists-interests-in-new-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/success-key-find-the-growth-that-aligns-with-both-the-pessimists-good-habits-and-the-optimists-interests-in-new-things/Tue, 02 Feb 2021 07:32:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The common ground where optimists and pessimists can stand together and self-actualize together is – Growth ....all… https://rickbaker.ca/post/i-didnt-see-the-financial-meltdown-coming-i-didnt-see-the-economic-recession-coming-i-do-see-some-things-now/https://rickbaker.ca/post/i-didnt-see-the-financial-meltdown-coming-i-didnt-see-the-economic-recession-coming-i-do-see-some-things-now/Sat, 30 Jan 2021 07:05:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Having been through those challenges , and rethinking business, I have a better picture of what we need to do to protect our… 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/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/to-lead-use-light-fingers-at-the-controls-heavy-finger-governance-and-control-just-sends-things-off-kilter/https://rickbaker.ca/post/to-lead-use-light-fingers-at-the-controls-heavy-finger-governance-and-control-just-sends-things-off-kilter/Tue, 22 Dec 2020 07:42:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet From Wikipedia... In 1868, James Clerk Maxwell wrote a famous paper "On governors” that is widely considered a classic in… https://rickbaker.ca/post/errors-only-become-limitations-when-we-choose-to-give-them-that-power/https://rickbaker.ca/post/errors-only-become-limitations-when-we-choose-to-give-them-that-power/Mon, 14 Dec 2020 07:19:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We cannot practice when we don't know the what and how of task-details: we cannot teach when we don't know the what and how of… 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/people-are-more-inclined-to-follow-than-to-lead-good-followers-enjoy-huge-opportunities/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-are-more-inclined-to-follow-than-to-lead-good-followers-enjoy-huge-opportunities/Sun, 29 Nov 2020 07:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet One of the most graphic examples is mob behaviour . A few mob leaders can inspire destruction and pillaging from many...just… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-the-upside-in-ordinary-tasks-seeking-simple-work-and-doing-it-well-knowing-its-link-to-positive-outcomes/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-the-upside-in-ordinary-tasks-seeking-simple-work-and-doing-it-well-knowing-its-link-to-positive-outcomes/Thu, 26 Nov 2020 07:26:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet As the old saying goes, " There is satisfaction in a job well done ." There is more satisfaction when: 1. You know the work… https://rickbaker.ca/post/leadership-grit-grinds-grows/https://rickbaker.ca/post/leadership-grit-grinds-grows/Thu, 12 Nov 2020 07:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet John Wayne is one of my heroes. Every time I hear the word 'grit' I think of Rooster Cogburn, the character John Wayne played… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-influencing-powerful-people-3/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-influencing-powerful-people-3/Tue, 10 Nov 2020 07:22:00 -0500Talking About Influencing Powerful People - here's another Dirk Schlimm quote: “What makes these geniuses so powerful is not ground-level expertise or… 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/less-than-20-of-people-work-at-making-changes-over-80-of-people-require-ongoing-assistance-leadership/https://rickbaker.ca/post/less-than-20-of-people-work-at-making-changes-over-80-of-people-require-ongoing-assistance-leadership/Mon, 10 Aug 2020 07:39:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Focus on change leaders. Focus on self-motivated people. Focus on confident people. https://rickbaker.ca/post/influenceleadmanage-yourself-if-you-wish-to-influenceleadmanage-others/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influenceleadmanage-yourself-if-you-wish-to-influenceleadmanage-others/Wed, 27 May 2020 07:21:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet Do what I say not what I do just doesn't cut it. Probably, most of us can remember incidents when we were children and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-leaders-dont-drive-people-good-leaders-fuel-the-drive-in-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-leaders-dont-drive-people-good-leaders-fuel-the-drive-in-people/Sat, 23 May 2020 07:48:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Performance is about desire and drive. Enthusiasm takes energy. Leaders are uniquely positioned to fuel the drive in people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-influencing-powerful-people-2/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-influencing-powerful-people-2/Wed, 20 May 2020 07:55:00 -0500Here's a quote from Dirk Schlimm, clarifying his perspective on 'Powerful People' - “Depending on where you are, the managing director of your local… https://rickbaker.ca/post/ambiguity-poisons-profitability/https://rickbaker.ca/post/ambiguity-poisons-profitability/Fri, 15 May 2020 07:17:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Confused sellers struggle to sell. Confused buyers struggle to buy. Confused technicians struggle to perform. In so many ways… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-be-a-leader-in-your-industry-sector-return-phone-calls-and-respond-to-e-mail-leadership/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-be-a-leader-in-your-industry-sector-return-phone-calls-and-respond-to-e-mail-leadership/Mon, 06 Apr 2020 07:20:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Successful people seem to have more time . Also, with the current trend of slackening business etiquette, returning phone calls… https://rickbaker.ca/post/leadership-is-about-meaningful-stories-well-told-and-important-actions-well-done/https://rickbaker.ca/post/leadership-is-about-meaningful-stories-well-told-and-important-actions-well-done/Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:53:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When good-to-great leaders tell inspirational stories , their stories are laced with personal values and visions of better… https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-13/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-13/Sat, 20 Apr 2019 08:15:00 -0500This is the 13 th and final Thought Post in a 'Baker's Dozen series', with Dirk Schlimm's wisdom being the main ingredient. Here's the 13 th quote taken from… https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-12/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-12/Sat, 13 Apr 2019 08:36:00 -0500Probably, most people should not work for powerful people . When I use the words powerful people , I mean people who: hold positions of power over us, are… https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-11/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-11/Sat, 06 Apr 2019 09:45:00 -0500Here's a Dirk Schlimm quote that goes beyond 'influencing powerful people': “Use every opportunity to observe and learn. It is a lot less costly to learn… https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-10/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-10/Sat, 30 Mar 2019 07:56:00 -0500“Understand that powerful people think of others as their helpers first and foremost. Let them know that this is what you are there to do. However, don’t let… https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-9/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-9/Sat, 23 Mar 2019 07:55:00 -0500This week's Dirk Schlimm quote - “Remember that powerful people identify greatly with their work and their enterprise. They expect the same from you. Show… https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-8/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-8/Sat, 16 Mar 2019 07:50:00 -0500Here's another quote, taken from Dirk Schlimm's book - “The terms balance and restraint rarely come up as descriptors of powerful people or are cited as… https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-6/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-6/Sat, 02 Mar 2019 08:00:00 -0500This week’s Dirk Schlimm quote: “The fact is that many powerful people successfully overcome conventional wisdom and have the resources to keep their… https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-4/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influencing-powerful-people-4/Sun, 17 Feb 2019 08:05:00 -0500Here's another quote from Dirk Schlimm: “The genius, who sees opportunity with outside-the-box ideas, gets easily frustrated if he or she feels surrounded by… https://rickbaker.ca/post/command-influence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/command-influence/Wed, 31 May 2017 07:52:00 -0500Some people possess a natural ability called Command. It is one of those natural-talent gifts. It provides a natural ability to magnetize, influence, and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/optimists-pave-the-paths-so-pessimists-can-rule-the-world/https://rickbaker.ca/post/optimists-pave-the-paths-so-pessimists-can-rule-the-world/Tue, 16 May 2017 07:31:00 -0500Now isn't that a fine piece of ‘ mob thinking ’...debatable, yet mostly true, and too often rather disappointing. Optimists stand out. Their curiosity leads… https://rickbaker.ca/post/here-i-gotelling-you-about-asking/https://rickbaker.ca/post/here-i-gotelling-you-about-asking/Thu, 20 Apr 2017 06:50:00 -0500I’m telling you that you must cut down on telling people what to do and start asking more questions. Isn’t that oxymoronic ? Isn’t that the pot calling the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/stepping-on-stepping-aside-stepping-up/https://rickbaker.ca/post/stepping-on-stepping-aside-stepping-up/Mon, 03 Apr 2017 08:09:00 -0500"Whenever we focus on what others need to do we give away our power and let ourselves off the hook." John Izzo ' Stepping Up ', (2012) While this quote is… https://rickbaker.ca/post/personal-values-rules-of-engagement-setting-off-those-hot-button-alarms/https://rickbaker.ca/post/personal-values-rules-of-engagement-setting-off-those-hot-button-alarms/Tue, 31 Jan 2017 08:56:00 -0500When it comes to personal values , there are a handful of common Hot Buttons where differing views about personal values cause problems. Examples include… https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-must-think-better/https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-must-think-better/Mon, 21 Nov 2016 07:40:00 -0500Few will argue against the concept leaders must think. Let me restate that: few will verbally argue against the concept leaders must think. On the other… https://rickbaker.ca/post/do-you-aim-to-give-people-more-less-or-exactly-what-they-expect/https://rickbaker.ca/post/do-you-aim-to-give-people-more-less-or-exactly-what-they-expect/Wed, 09 Nov 2016 13:54:00 -0500When you aim to give people more than they expect… You must be ready, willing and able to go the extra mile. You must embrace Napoleon Hill’s ‘QQS’… https://rickbaker.ca/post/that-small-business-leaders-mindset/https://rickbaker.ca/post/that-small-business-leaders-mindset/Thu, 08 Sep 2016 20:49:00 -0500Small business is fascinating territory...small businesses capture the full range of people, personalities and business thinking. When it comes to leadership… https://rickbaker.ca/post/controlling-the-common-littlenesses-of-human-nature/https://rickbaker.ca/post/controlling-the-common-littlenesses-of-human-nature/Mon, 29 Aug 2016 08:55:00 -0500William MacDonald described Benjamin Franklin as a man who could control the common littleness of human nature 1 . It is clear MacDonald had tremendous… https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-do-we-provide-valuable-advice-to-true-leaders/https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-do-we-provide-valuable-advice-to-true-leaders/Wed, 01 Jun 2016 08:10:00 -0500During the last 15 years [perhaps, triggered by Stephen R. Covey?] much advice from the leadership experts/gurus is in the zone of altruism, often described… https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-perspective-on-love-your-clients-fail-often-quickly-and-other-fuzzy-fads/https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-perspective-on-love-your-clients-fail-often-quickly-and-other-fuzzy-fads/Tue, 31 May 2016 07:38:00 -0500Sometimes the business-leadership gurus go too far. Love Your Clients When you stop to think about it, isn't the word "love" just a bit too strong for… https://rickbaker.ca/post/over-all-other-traits-of-leadership-character-courage-reigns-supreme/https://rickbaker.ca/post/over-all-other-traits-of-leadership-character-courage-reigns-supreme/Mon, 30 May 2016 14:44:00 -05001. Over all other traits of leadership character, Courage reigns supreme. [ Link to over 130 thoughts about Courage ] 2. In the absence of Courage, bad… https://rickbaker.ca/post/cmon-manlets-put-a-limit-on-self-sacrifice/https://rickbaker.ca/post/cmon-manlets-put-a-limit-on-self-sacrifice/Tue, 24 May 2016 07:04:00 -0500I’m thinking quite a bit about advice that helps leaders...i.e., When we want to provide advice to leaders, how do we hit the mark? How do we provide… https://rickbaker.ca/post/family-business-leaders-versus-managers/https://rickbaker.ca/post/family-business-leaders-versus-managers/Mon, 16 May 2016 16:39:00 -0500Managers outnumber leaders in business, by orders of magnitude. Managers outnumber leaders in families, my orders of magnitude. So, of course, managers… https://rickbaker.ca/post/reawakening-positive-controls-your-controlsself-control/https://rickbaker.ca/post/reawakening-positive-controls-your-controlsself-control/Thu, 05 May 2016 07:42:00 -0500Every human being wishes, to a degree, to control his or her environment, including the actions of other people. For some people, this need to control the…