https://rickbaker.ca/category/spirited-leaders/ 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/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/you-fool-no-one-and-annoy-many-when-you-set-bars-higher-than-you-yourself-can-jump/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-fool-no-one-and-annoy-many-when-you-set-bars-higher-than-you-yourself-can-jump/Tue, 09 Feb 2021 07:53:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet To the full extent possible - do not delegate work you cannot do yourself. At the very least, take utmost care if you find… 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/intrinsic-drives-often-persist-as-lifelong-drives/https://rickbaker.ca/post/intrinsic-drives-often-persist-as-lifelong-drives/Fri, 13 Nov 2020 07:24:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Do you have some internal drives that have survived for decades? If you do then you know what I'm talking about. Long-lasting… https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-leaders-know-needs-of-the-spirit-lead-to-deeds-of-the-spirit/https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-leaders-know-needs-of-the-spirit-lead-to-deeds-of-the-spirit/Wed, 04 Nov 2020 07:27:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It has always been that way; it will always be that way. When people fail to satisfy their ' needs of the spirit ' they fail to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/with-courage-we-are-able-to-truly-know-what-we-believe-in-and-what-we-dont-believe-in/https://rickbaker.ca/post/with-courage-we-are-able-to-truly-know-what-we-believe-in-and-what-we-dont-believe-in/Wed, 15 Apr 2020 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We speak too infrequently about Courage , the #1 Value for Spirited Leaders. This is a step toward fixing that problem. https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-sits-close-to-spiritalways-envisioning-and-whispering-ideas/https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-sits-close-to-spiritalways-envisioning-and-whispering-ideas/Tue, 14 Apr 2020 07:22:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When Spirit is vibrant, it listens intently and allows Curiosity free rein to explore. https://rickbaker.ca/post/seeing-the-big-picture-drilling-down-into-the-details/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seeing-the-big-picture-drilling-down-into-the-details/Thu, 25 May 2017 08:39:00 -0500Strategic Thinking & Attention to Details : for a business leader, what's the right balance between these two things? Some business leaders think they can… https://rickbaker.ca/post/nobody-likes-tired-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/nobody-likes-tired-people/Thu, 05 Nov 2015 06:08:00 -0500When you get right down to it, nobody likes tired people. You cannot count on tired people. Tired people may not be there when you want or need their help… https://rickbaker.ca/post/courage-spirited-leaders-1-value-revisited/https://rickbaker.ca/post/courage-spirited-leaders-1-value-revisited/Thu, 10 Sep 2015 20:36:00 -0500Courage is our company’s Key Value. In summary, we have chosen Courage for our Key Value because: Courage enables Self-Knowledge and When it is backed by… https://rickbaker.ca/post/tony-robbins-ted-talk-6-needs/https://rickbaker.ca/post/tony-robbins-ted-talk-6-needs/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 07:06:00 -0500In a February 2006 TED Talk , Tony Robbins expressed his view that people have 6 needs. According to Tony... First people have 4 “Personality Needs”, which… https://rickbaker.ca/post/personal-strength-is-the-heart-of-personal-drive/https://rickbaker.ca/post/personal-strength-is-the-heart-of-personal-drive/Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:23:00 -0500Dan Pink wrote about 3 Drives: Biological Drive Reward and Punishment Drive To direct our own lives, to extend and expand our capabilities, and to make… https://rickbaker.ca/post/clients-clients-philosophy-2015/https://rickbaker.ca/post/clients-clients-philosophy-2015/Thu, 19 Mar 2015 07:31:00 -0500A different perspective on customer service. https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-the-going-gets-toughyou-must-tell-the-tough-people-how-to-get-going/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-the-going-gets-toughyou-must-tell-the-tough-people-how-to-get-going/Tue, 17 Mar 2015 18:47:00 -0500There are many strategies and systems for dealing with tough People and tough Situations [involving, of course, People]. Most of these strategies and systems… https://rickbaker.ca/post/each-business-must-have-only-one-bossa-spirited-philosophy/https://rickbaker.ca/post/each-business-must-have-only-one-bossa-spirited-philosophy/Mon, 16 Mar 2015 07:34:00 -0500After talking with numerous local business leaders, that's the conclusion we have reached. This risks associated with 50/50 Business Partnerships are too… https://rickbaker.ca/post/business-leaders-have-you-explained-the-innovation-process-to-your-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/business-leaders-have-you-explained-the-innovation-process-to-your-people/Thu, 12 Mar 2015 18:27:00 -0500Here's a start... For some more-detailed thoughts. https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-are-obligated-to-generate-opportunities/https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-are-obligated-to-generate-opportunities/Wed, 11 Mar 2015 11:28:00 -0500P=2S+O: For every Problem we can come up with at least 2 Solutions and while we find those Solutions we will uncover Opportunities. https://rickbaker.ca/post/bosses-like-solutions-a-lot-more-than-problems/https://rickbaker.ca/post/bosses-like-solutions-a-lot-more-than-problems/Mon, 09 Mar 2015 20:53:00 -0500P=2S+O A Spirited Business Philosophy https://rickbaker.ca/post/inspire-people-influence-action-grow-wealth/https://rickbaker.ca/post/inspire-people-influence-action-grow-wealth/Fri, 20 Feb 2015 15:42:00 -0500In business, as in other endeavours, the essence of leadership is positive Influence. At its core, positive Influence is about inspiring people to take… https://rickbaker.ca/post/courage-confidence-succeeding-at-business/https://rickbaker.ca/post/courage-confidence-succeeding-at-business/Thu, 22 May 2014 09:01:00 -0500If you wish to excel at business, you must have a better than average amount of courage and self-confidence. These states of mind, these habits of character… https://rickbaker.ca/post/intrinsic-extrinsic-leadership/https://rickbaker.ca/post/intrinsic-extrinsic-leadership/Mon, 17 Mar 2014 09:01:00 -0500When our internal drives influence our thoughts and actions...that's Intrinsic Influence. When external forces work to influence our thoughts and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-leaders-scenarios-5/https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-leaders-scenarios-5/Sun, 01 Sep 2013 13:40:00 -0500You are a small-business owner. You have a business partner, maybe more than one. There are times when you get along with your partner. There are times when… https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-leaders-scenarios-4/https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-leaders-scenarios-4/Sun, 25 Aug 2013 13:39:00 -0500Is your leadership team meeting your expectations? If it is – Congratulations - keep up the good work! If it is not – we can help. We know the small-business… https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-leaders-scenarios-3/https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-leaders-scenarios-3/Sun, 18 Aug 2013 13:23:00 -0500Small business owners are the driving force supporting our Canadian economy. That has been the case for some time. It has been taken for granted. We can no… https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-spirited-leaders-scenario-2/https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-spirited-leaders-scenario-2/Sun, 11 Aug 2013 13:15:00 -0500Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy. Yet, small businesses, perhaps more than any other group, have difficulty innovating - creating… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-800a/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-800a/Fri, 09 Aug 2013 10:28:00 -0500Thought Tweet #800.5 Self-confidence is the magnetic recipe that attracts the things you need most to succeed in business. The Thinking Behind The Tweet You… https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-spirited-leaders-scenario-1/https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-spirited-leaders-scenario-1/Sun, 04 Aug 2013 13:11:00 -0500You want to make some changes at work. Things are not terrible. On the other hand, things just aren’t clicking. Too much time being spent unproductively. Not… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-7845/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-7845/Thu, 18 Jul 2013 11:48:00 -0500Thought Tweet #784.5 Two differences between Coaches and Mentors : Mentors have done it & Mentors introduce you to the right people. The Thinking Behind The… https://rickbaker.ca/post/3-great-reasons-to-strive-to-excel/https://rickbaker.ca/post/3-great-reasons-to-strive-to-excel/Tue, 02 Jul 2013 09:16:00 -0500Doing excellent work. Mastering skills. Striving to be better or best. Excellent work is a truly wonderful thing to experience. I have had the opportunity to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-767/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-767/Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:50:00 -0500Thought Tweet #767 We win when we improve Canadian businesses , one leader at a time. The Thinking Behind The Tweet The Spirited Leaders process is… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-dysfunction-of-our-times-business-people-who-dont-take-their-obligations-seriously/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-dysfunction-of-our-times-business-people-who-dont-take-their-obligations-seriously/Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:18:00 -0500In times gone by, I used to talk about 3 Sacred Things in Business . And, out of the 3 things, #2 was: " Customers Pay Me ". Customers Pay Me A deal is a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/at-the-core-of-spiriteds-philosophy/https://rickbaker.ca/post/at-the-core-of-spiriteds-philosophy/Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:00:00 -0500Links to articles about these 3 keys to business success... Seeking Simple Building On Strengths Adding Creativity https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-500/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-500/Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:00:00 -0500Thought Tweet #500 " It is better to be high-spirited even though one makes more mistakes, than to be narrow-minded and all too prudent ." The Thinking… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-489/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-489/Thu, 31 May 2012 08:00:00 -0500Thought Tweet #489 Physical proximity can spark & ignite inspiration; physical proximity can cause the release of creative excellence. The Thinking Behind… https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-definitions/https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-definitions/Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:00:00 -0500Action : things people do, and there are only 3 types - Good Habits , Bad Habits , or New Things Change : the arrival of New Things Client : a person who… https://rickbaker.ca/post/inspire-people-grow-profits/https://rickbaker.ca/post/inspire-people-grow-profits/Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:00:00 -0500Two Facts: When it comes to doing business, inspired People generate better results. Business Leaders can inspire their People. Another even-more-important… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-382/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-382/Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 -0500Thought Tweet #382 Courage, Core, Encourage, and the Latin word Cor ["Heart"]…it isn't coincidence! The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet Spirited Leaders… https://rickbaker.ca/post/time-for-learning/https://rickbaker.ca/post/time-for-learning/Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:00:00 -0500Do you spend enough time L earning ? Do you view learning as knowledge sharing? Do you view learning as knowledge creation? According to experts 1 , learning… https://rickbaker.ca/post/character-courage/https://rickbaker.ca/post/character-courage/Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:00:00 -0500An excerpt 1 , about Character & Courage: To Sustain Good Judgment, a Leader Must Have Character and Courage Character provides the moral compass. Courage… https://rickbaker.ca/post/having-values-delivering-value-recruiting/https://rickbaker.ca/post/having-values-delivering-value-recruiting/Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:00:00 -0500Everyone knows personal values influence people's behaviour. Most people know the interplay between people's personal values create culture, including the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-master-rules-part-2/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-master-rules-part-2/Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:00:00 -0500Part 1 of The Master Rules can be summed up just the way my 2nd boss taught it to me: He who carries the gold makes the rules . Part 2 of The Master Rules is… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-spirited-leaders-our-unicorn-logo/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-spirited-leaders-our-unicorn-logo/Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:30:00 -0500WHO are we? Our Vision : Canada’s best source for entrepreneurial business education WHAT do we do? Our Purpose : We educate entrepreneurs. HOW do we do… https://rickbaker.ca/post/buried-treasures-inspired-measures/https://rickbaker.ca/post/buried-treasures-inspired-measures/Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:00:00 -0500Buried Treasures - Inspired Measures It’s fun to measure your steps when you know the path leads to gold ! *** That’s the title of Spirited Leaders’ workshop… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thick-skin-thin-skull-and-lies/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thick-skin-thin-skull-and-lies/Tue, 13 Sep 2011 05:30:00 -0500As we have written about many times, we believe Leaders need thick skin and thin skulls … Here are some of the nuances of our thinking: Everybody lies, at… https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-note-to-leaders-about-what-followers-want/https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-note-to-leaders-about-what-followers-want/Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:30:00 -0500After talking with numerous people at numerous local places of business, we have learned… What followers want is, in this order: To feel confident To have a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-master-mind-alliances/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-master-mind-alliances/Tue, 23 Aug 2011 05:30:00 -0500Napoleon Hill taught us the immense value contained in a Master Mind alliance. When two or more people apply their minds, in harmony, toward a shared goal… https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-leaders-business-paths/https://rickbaker.ca/post/spirited-leaders-business-paths/Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:30:00 -0500Spirited Leaders BUSINESS PATHS — a Thought Post by Rick Baker, 2011. https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-business-development-excellence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-business-development-excellence/Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:30:00 -0500A dozen things you better know 1. You better know your Chief Desire Whether you have a vivid lifelong Vision or a keen interest in accomplishing something… https://rickbaker.ca/post/there-is-no-scarcity-of-scarcity-mindset/https://rickbaker.ca/post/there-is-no-scarcity-of-scarcity-mindset/Wed, 01 Jun 2011 05:30:00 -0500That’s not a complaint. It is simply a fact. I know this because I cannot stop myself from observing people, listening to them, and watching how they react… https://rickbaker.ca/post/acres-of-success/https://rickbaker.ca/post/acres-of-success/Fri, 20 May 2011 05:30:00 -0500You want business success. And you can define what success means to you. S.M.A.R.T. Goals are a good place to start. And more is required. *** In an effort…