Month: February 2014

#627 disconnected

February 18, 2014October 5, 2016by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Last night I went to write today’s blog entry and found that I couldn’t access the Internet on my computer. I thought it was just incredibly slow. Meanwhile, a friend was trying to pull up Downton Abbey on his computer so we could watch it when I was finished. No luck there either. We did some diagnostics and realized that it was because the outdoor incoming phone lines (aka incoming data service) had been shredded! Guess who was at it again?

For golden retrievers, two years old has always been the magic benchmark – if you could make it until two, you had survived puppyhood and could now enjoy your dog. I have been subjected to many misfortunes with these two beasts, and I thought their antics were over since one of my dogs is now 2-1/2 years old and the other is three weeks shy of being two. But guess that Iris had one last fling before her birthday and held a shredding party in the snow. Grrr.

So no computer work. No television. No streaming. No emails. No blog publishing. Who knew how much I relied on something so invisible yet ubiquitous? The Internet has become like electricity – we don’t even think about it until it isn’t there. It functions as a conduit for us to do so many other things and we rely on it more than we realize.

What else is out there in your organization that you take for granted but need to function properly? Is it a specific person who always does X and you don’t even know she does it? Is it an outside vendor whose interface is seamless, and you assume it still will be if you switch systems? Is it the collaboration you have with a neighboring tenant that results in positive traffic generated as much by them as by you?

Be intentional today about all the invisible support you have. Thank those who provide it if you can and develop a plan for what to do should you be without it. You never know when wire-shredding dogs may cross your path.

–— beth triplett

leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#626 sunshine

February 17, 2014by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The term “dog days of summer” refers to the hardest part of the season; the sun is hot and the summer is long and dog days marks a period of lethargy. I wonder what the equivalent is for the “dog days of winter”, when the cold and snowy conditions continue and it seems hard to think of being active and thriving, especially in the outdoors. I think we are in this period now!

One way to get through the winter blues is to actively commemorate Random Acts of Kindness Day today. The act of doing for others and infusing their day with a pleasant surprise is sure to shine some sunshine onto your world.

Random Acts of Kindness need not be elaborate or costly, in fact many are simple to do and cost nothing. For a list of 101 ideas see www.loveistheword.org. Pick one and commit to doing it today. Regardless of the weather, it’s a sure way you can bring some delight into the otherwise dreary landscape.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#625 out of the box

February 16, 2014by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I was at the mall yesterday and saw the usual assortment of stores: clothing, jewelry, greeting cards and sporting goods. Those in Los Angeles have a new addition to their shopping repertoire: casket stores.

Recently several malls in Southern California have opened Til We Meet Again casket stores and funeral planning services in their retail space. Owners are trying to “reach people where they are” and overcome the stigma of walking into a funeral parlor before absolutely necessary. “Planning for death will not be as intimidating if it takes place in a lively, happy place like a mall rather than the more somber confines of a cremation home,” their spokesperson said. It certainly is an out of the box (ha ha) way of connecting with their audience.

Think about your delivery system and ways to reach your prospective clientele. Maybe it’s not the mall, but are there other places where people are that you may be well served to have a presence? Several services and restaurants are open inside big box stores. Walgreens added a health practitioner. Stores have post offices, dry cleaners and banks. I’ll be there is an audience out there waiting for you to find them.

–— beth triplett

leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Source: Funeral, casket outlets are heading to the mall by John Rogers for The Associated Press in the Telegraph Herald, February 4, 2014.

#624 LUV DOTS

February 15, 2014by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Did you get any conversation hearts for Valentine’s Day yesterday? The little candies with printed messages have always been one of my favorites…not so much to eat, but to read!

The sayings are symbolic of the times and have evolved over the years. This year’s new entries: TXT ME and #LOVE. I enjoy the irony that candies using the same recipe from 1902 are featuring hashtag symbols.

Some original sayings are still included: Be Mine, Kiss Me, Sweet Talk, but others have come and gone: Fax Me, email me, page me. Other more recent additions: BFF, Sup Babe?, Got Luv?, URA QT. The hearts have also added a touch of Spanish with Mi Amor.

There are 45 different sayings on this year’s batch of hearts — and with 8 billion of them produced, there are a lot of romantic suggestions floating around out there. You can see them all, and, as with so many things these days, you can provide your own suggestions for next year’s hearts at parade.com/sweetheart.

The little hearts are an amusing way to share messages of flirtation. Think about the fun thoughts your organization could impart to its customers. Maybe it’s not by way of wafer candies, but is there another way to share your 45 words? Put together, they can paint a picture of a bigger message you want to convey.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#623 timing

February 14, 2014by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

There are many ways to show your love to people. On days like today, the traditional way is to exchange candy and valentines. On the birth of a baby, people often deliver dishes of food. When someone dies, people generally send flowers to the family. All are wonderful, loving ways to show you care.

I challenge you to think about ways that you can express your love on a non-traditional timetable. Instead of sending flowers to the funeral (when they are lost among the others), send flowers on the deceased’s birthday or on Mother’s/Father’s day to let the bereaved know you are thinking of them. We sent flowers to my mom on her first anniversary without my dad and included a simple “We miss him too” card. A local funeral home is doing a free lunch today for widows as a way to provide companionship on a day that could be lonely.

A colleague is sending Girl Scout cookies to a couple with a child in the hospital. “I’m sure this isn’t on their mind, but I didn’t want them to miss out on Thin Mints this year,” she said. Another colleague cooks the post-baby meal several weeks after the arrival, when all the other dinner deliveries have stopped. We delivered a get-well basket three weeks after surgery when boredom trumps pain, but our colleague still can’t return to work.

Small gestures often mean more than lofty bouquets or decadent chocolates: Cleaning off someone’s snowy car and icy windshield. Raking your neighbor’s lawn or shoveling their snow. Offering to babysit. Volunteering to help a colleague with a project. Letting staff go home an hour early.

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, but save that last arrow to shoot a little bit later. It likely will mean more to the recipient.

–— beth triplett

leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#622 microscope

February 13, 2014by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I have been fascinated lately with how much people pay attention to details about me. In the last two weeks, people have commented that I am wearing a new bracelet, that I got a new pen, that I am wearing a Fitbit and that I wore boots under my jeans. From my perspective, all of these things were understated and didn’t warrant a comment as something like wearing a new outfit does. These were things I would have likely not even noticed about others.

It gives me pause and causes me to extrapolate that if people notice what I write with, they probably are paying attention to how I act. My integrity, manners, commentary, analysis and participation are probably on the radar screen. People are watching even when I don’t think they are.

This phenomenon calls to mind a line from educator David Ambler in his Guidelines for Working with Students: “Never underestimate the power of your influence on a student. Your conduct and conversation are what you are — a model for others.” I think you can take out the word “student” and substitute “people” and have the same meaning.

It will serve you well to pay as much attention to how you carry yourself as you pay to what you carry your things in.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#621 being there

February 12, 2014by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The good news: I was selected as one of 20 people to participate in a year-long, national professional development program. The “executive leadership academy” involves mentoring, hands-on experiences and two in-person seminars. The bad news: one of those mandatory gatherings falls during two days of our summer registration in 2015.

Our summer programs are a really big deal for us. They are the culminating events in a whole series of enrollment activities, and it’s our last chance to make students and parents feel confident about their decision to attend college here. I have played a substantial role in these programs and so I had a lot of angst about whether I should miss them next year.

So I asked my staff. I received an enthusiastic “go to the program!” I asked my boss and got the same response. (Is it a good thing or bad that I am apparently quite dispensable?!) I sent in the confirmation.

To be clear, I have absolutely no doubt that my staff can do the job effectively. I am not needed to do. I wonder though about the intangible impact of my non-attendance. I feel like it is important to be there.

I heard it described beautifully yesterday by our director of campus ministry. She talked about the importance of the “ministry of presence”; that by being present for students, we enhance their experience and help them grow. Sometimes I don’t do anything at events or when working late, but by being there it helps others know they are supported and valued. I think it was the loss of presence I was lamenting, rather than worrying about any function I performed. My reflection about whether I should attend has proved this to be an insightful experience already.

Your impact is far greater than your tasks. Don’t forget to account for your ‘ministry of presence’ as part of the contribution you are making to your organization.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#620 sweet

February 11, 2014by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Our men’s volleyball team beat our conference rival last week in a heated match. To add to the victory, we handed them their first loss of the season and did so on their home court (something we have not done since 2006). It makes me smile just to think about it!

I sent our new coach a note to congratulate him on the victory. “Some wins are sweeter than others,” I said, “and this is one of them.”

I received an interesting reply back from him. “Thanks,” he wrote. “Now let’s see how quickly we can forget about it and focus on what’s next.”

It is difficult to know the ideal amount of time to allow for basking in success. When you’re in the middle of a long season, focusing on “what’s next” now and saving the celebrations until the end of the year is a prudent strategy. But some cycles seem to be on-going.

We had a great visit event last weekend, but we need to get back on the phones today to fill the next program so there is little time to reflect. A student aces a test, but can only celebrate for a brief moment before needing to study for the next class. As soon as one project is done, there is pressure to start on the next project rather than toast the completion of the first. And for good reason, since the next match or quota or task awaits.

I am not sure what the proper interval is between glee and what’s next, but I know there is gap there. I hope you make time to allow at least a bit of sweet satisfaction to soak in before moving on.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#619 theme

February 10, 2014by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Last week, I went to the district American Advertising Awards ceremony and dinner. The sponsors took the show’s theme “Take Flight” to new heights (ha ha) and held the event in an airplane hangar!

The execution of the theme was excellent. In addition to the location, which featured a real jet in the corner, the emcee was dressed as a pilot, those handing out the awards were in vintage stewardess dresses, we all received wings from AAF Airlines, and the script used language such as “fasten your seat belts so we can begin.” When we left, the “stewardesses” were even at the door cooing the traditional “bye bye”.

Seemingly forgotten amidst planning the theme-based hoopla was the fact that the dinner and program were in an airplane hangar — in February — in the middle of one of the coldest winters on record. Most people in the audience were wearing coats over their little black dresses by the end of the show. People had to shuttle to the jet center and wait outside for the bus to take them back and forth. We were on folding chairs for the four hour gala. It was a lot like flying — full of conditions that are less than ideal.

I am sure that there was debate about whether to continue to host the event in a generic hotel ballroom or whether to break out of the box and try the hangar. This is the Advertising Federation after all; they have more motivation than other groups to embrace the creative. Yet it is February after all; there are climate issues to consider.

An interesting indicator will be what people say about the event next year. Will it be: “thank goodness we’re in a warm ballroom again” or will it be: “we’re back to boring”? Going outside of the box is often uncomfortable, and sometimes it’s even chilly.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#618 welcome back

February 9, 2014by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I faithfully give blood every 56 days (the required interval between donations). Yet every eight weeks when I arrive, I am treated in the same way as the person who is donating for the very first time.

They require that I read a booklet of instructions and disclaimers. They ask me the same 30 questions on the computer questionnaire. They inspect both my arms (to check that I have not become a needle junkie since my last visit?) and give me the same instructions for post-donation care.

I wish there was some acknowledgement that I am a multi-gallon giver, such as a streamlined intake process and an easy pass like they do for frequent travelers over border crossings. Even if they asked a simple question like “have you or any member of your family been diagnosed with any serious diseases in the last eight weeks?” instead of asking individually about a multitude of them, it would do more to honor my time.

Do you have mechanisms in place to provide expedited service or ways to acknowledge that your customers have been there before? Texas Roadhouse does. As you are being seated, the greeters ask if you have been there before. If the answer is yes, you are spared the detail about how the menu is structured.

Think about the processes that you use for repeat clients. Your best customers don’t want special treatment to involve ‘more’; they want it to require ‘less’.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com