Month: July 2015

#1145 a hawk and a snake

Posted on by Leave a comment

On a recent walk, I came upon a hawk in an open field.  It was just sitting there, perfectly still, until it wasn’t.  In a split second, it had a rabbit in its mouth and flew away with lunch.    I stopped another walker to watch, but had I not, she would have passed by oblivious to the majestic bird in front of her.

Another day, I looked down and saw a four-foot long snake along the side of the road.  Fortunately, it was dead so I did not scare the neighbors with my hysteria.  (I will spare you the photos, but believe it to be a copperhead.)  It was as fascinating to look at as the hawk (because it was D.E.A.D.), and this, too, I would have missed had I been driving or concentrating on content through my headphones or even lost in daydreaming as I strolled.

As I have written about before,* I try to be present when I am out walking. I think the mental attention is as important as the physical exercise, and both provide a needed break from the work routine.  

I wonder how I could be better if I applied that consciousness as I walk around work.  Is there a “snake” that I miss as I hurry to the next meeting?  Have I missed the actions of a hawk that warrants appreciation?  Would I see connections that apply to other things if I paid more attention?

The next time you’re off to another place, whether it be to an appointment, a store or an event, try to heighten your awareness on the way there.  Who knows what lessons may slither across your path.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com


*See Blog #1105, June 11, 2015




#1144 roar

Posted on by Leave a comment

At one time, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange was the center of commodities commerce.  Housed in a giant building in downtown, the Exchange held pits with 4,000 traders shouting to conduct their business.  

Now the gold, cattle and corn and other futures will be traded via computer.  No more personal interactions.  No more shouting.  No more mosh pits of brokers yelling or signaling for their transactions.

I am sure that the computer is more efficient.  It absolutely is quieter and probably is more economical.  But I wonder what the cost of silence will be.

Is there a price that can be put on passion?  What cost comes from traders being physically removed from each other, unable to develop relationships and partnerships or even to share knowledge?  How will this impact the culture of the futures industry?

I think about the initial allure of on-line learning and how institutions like the University of Phoenix are losing enrollments in massive numbers.  At the end of the day, we are a communal people.  We like being in groups and sharing experiences with others.

I lament that the futures market has moved to the computer.  Think about the trade offs you are making in your organization between efficiency and community and the impact it has on your future.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Source:  “No more ROAR” by Bernard Condon and Don Babwin for the Associated Press in the Telegraph Herald, July 12, 2015, p. 1B

#1143 wrap up

Posted on by Leave a comment

I am a believer in Sunday night rituals.  

In the winter, I watched Downton Abbey at a friend’s house and ended my weekend with the Countess Dowager.  During the summer, I have a picnic dinner and enjoy the outdoor concert at the arboretum.  Others may spend their fall with football games.

I think that a routine to end the weekend is a good way to become mentally ready for the week ahead.  By planning an enjoyable activity on Sunday night, I enjoy the time off to the fullest.  It sends a signal to my brain that the leisure is ending and I get prepared for work to resume on Monday.

What do you do on Sunday nights?  Think about whether there is intentionality and routine to wrap up your weekend.  It may benefit you as much on Monday as on Sunday night.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#1142 reduce

Posted on by Leave a comment

Pope Francis has been actively preaching his environmental message across the world.  I have a suggestion of one tiny step people can take to help conserve resources: reduce the number of napkins at fast food restaurants.

I went through Hardee’s drive-thru and ordered one sandwich.  No fries, no drink, no other people in the car.  And I received 12, yes, one dozen, napkins in my bag.  Not all establishments are as egregious, but most of them are excessive.  Dairy Queen hands you four per cone.  Others put a handful in your bag, and I would bet that most people toss them instead of taking them out and repurposing them elsewhere.

Pay attention to the number of napkins you are given and the number that you take.  Reducing both won’t change the world, but it is a place to start.  Keep in mind that napkins really do come from trees and not dispensers.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#1141 time off

Posted on by Leave a comment

Different people handle “vacation anticipation” differently.  

In the days or hours leading up to a vacation or holiday, some people shift into “leisure mode” and their systems start to slow down.  Their mind is already on the beach and their productivity level wanes.  They are mentally gone, even if physically present.

Other people use the pending time away as an energy booster.  They approach their vacation in a flurry, with lists of things that “must be done” before departing and their productivity level actually increases before the plane takes off.  They leave with a clear mind and clean desk.

Think about which pattern typically describes you.  If you’re an ease-into-vacation type of person, you should schedule appropriate tasks and meetings on the last day.  If you’re the get-it-all-finished kind, you need to ensure you don’t schedule things in your waning hours so you have the time to knock things out.

As a manager, you can tell the patterns of your staff.  Align your expectations with your employee’s expected behavior so you can both enjoy the time they are away.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com


#1140 lessons from the gnat

Posted on by Leave a comment

Two years ago, our region was inflicted with a barrage of gnats.  The annoying buggers were everywhere in swarms and negatively impacted the outdoor activities of many.  People avoided golfing or concerts because they were besieged by these insects.  

None of the usual insect repellents seemed to work, but one thing did: Absorbine Junior.  I am not sure who discovered this, but the muscle pain relieving liquid was the only thing that kept the gnats away.  

Once the word spread, everyone wanted to buy some. Stores only stocked a few bottles (which I am sure satisfied the demand for the previous years), so suddenly the supply was out.  Pharmacies kept their bottles behind the counter.  People were buying it out of state. The stores couldn’t order enough or keep it in stock. 

Fast forward to last year, and the retailers were prepared.  They ordered lots, and people bought lots.  We were thrilled to find it so stocked up and were ready.  Sales skyrocketed.

So this year, I imagine someone looked at last year’s sales and said “wow, we sold a lot, we better order a lot more again.”  Only two things happened:  1) the gnats did not return in the abnormal numbers like two years ago and 2) many people still had a full supply of Absorbine even if they did.

So now, you guessed it, the muscle relaxant is in ample (over) supply and retailers are working to get rid of it.

Another example of what Peter Senge describes as “systems thinking” and the consequences of looking at only one part of the system instead of the whole.  Focus on the big picture as you plan and not just the gnat in front of you.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com



#1139 stall

Posted on by Leave a comment

I believe there are some things that should be a standard size.  The pillowcase with your sheet set should fit your pillow.  The bread from your loaf should ease into the toaster.  And the shower curtain liner should, well, line the curtain with the same number of grommets.  

As I learned the hard way last night, this is not always the case.

I went to Target to purchase a shower liner.  I had to select whether I wanted clear, white or frosty: check.  I chose between light weight, medium weight or heavy weight PEVA: check.  And off I went.

Who knew that I had to also check whether it was “standard” size (aka 12 holes) or “stall” size (aka 9 holes)?  Guess which one I picked vs. which one I needed.  Grr.

Apparently, bathtubs are becoming the relics just like the knick-knacks I wrote about yesterday.  Fewer homes are installing them, thus enough people are calling for “stall size” curtains that the items have become standard issue in our tiny Target.  

Nothing can stand still in today’s fast moving world.  I’ll bet shower curtain liners have been the same size for literally decades, but no longer is one choice enough.  Two lessons for today: 1) be sure to check the size next time you purchase and 2) you’ll get all wet if you sit still.  Even shower curtain liners need to evolve with the times.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#1138 fairy dust

Posted on by Leave a comment

I was at the Hallmark Ornament Preview Event over the weekend.  A woman was purchasing #38 in a series of ornaments.  (For the uninitiated, this means she has been buying one in this series every year for nearly four decades.)

Instead of being excited by her purchase, she was lamenting the fate of it.  “I have been collecting these ornaments for my children since they were born,” she said.  “And my daughter told me that she doesn’t want them; in fact, if I give them to her, she will turn around and sell them on eBay!” 

It’s not that the daughter is (intentionally) heartless.  Her rationale: she doesn’t want to dust.  

Think of all the memories that are now shared in virtual form instead of 3D.  All the Hummels, Precious Moments, china and knick-knacks that filled Grandma’s curio cabinets are gone.  That statuette that was passed down for generations is now, at best, a photo on Instagram or pinned on Pintrest.  

Dusting is an awful job; no getting around it.  But some of the things it accumulates on can be symbols of love.  

No one ever hugged a computer in the time of grief or passed a file to their offspring to cherish.  Think about what you can make room for in your physical life then clear a shelf for a few tangible symbols that are worthy of an occasional brush with the feather duster.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#1137 unhappy

Posted on by Leave a comment

I know someone who recently participated in an arbitration process.  When the parties involved arrived to meet with the mediator, it did not start with an airing of grievances.  Before anyone was able to share “he said, she said”, the mediator spent the first 40 minutes setting the context for the day’s events.

“The goal of successful mediation is for both sides to leave unhappy,” he said.  “You won’t get all that you want.”  

It turns out that the goal of mediation is to avoid litigation.  The mediator knew that understanding this perspective would greatly influence the outcome of the day, so he spent the time to get people in the right mindset before anything else.

What is the purpose for why you are gathering?  It is important for everyone to share that same goal and worth your time to ensure that they do.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#1136 growing

Posted on by Leave a comment

Sometimes common sense does prevail!

Instead of making skates for kids that will only last a season due to growing feet, Cardiff Skate Company has designed skates that expand.  Children wear their own shoes, and the base with wheels enlarges to accommodate them.  It saves money, resources, hassle and lets more than one person in the family wear them during the same summer.


Pet collars expand from puppy to dog. Belts have extra notches to provide breathing room after a big meal or permanent expansion.  Suitcases have extra compartments that can be unzipped.  

How can you accommodate for the inevitable growth in what you are doing?  

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com