Month: February 2017

leadership dot #1723: rocket

February 18, 2017February 11, 2017by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Because of my love of organizational strategies (and cool new office supplies), two friends shared information about the Rocketbook notebook. This system is a combination of high tech/low tech, allowing you to write with a (special) pen, then the pages are synched to the cloud so your handwritten notes are stored electronically.

I have yet to try it, but there are some appealing features of having handwritten notes instantly sent to your Dropbox, Evernote or mail. Through the use of a special symbol and a QR code, you tell the Rocketbook where to file your document, and it first enhances the image then sends it on its way. When you’re finished, you microwave the notebook (yes, you read that correctly) to erase your writing and allow you to reuse the book up to five times.

There is always a quest to build a better mousetrap, and the Rocketbook is trying to improve on the standard notebook that has been around for decades. They aren’t competing with the 17 cent back-to-school-specials, but it may be a winner for those who want to spiral their notes into the cloud.

Maybe paper works for you, maybe you like all-electronic notes, or maybe you want to blend the two. With notebooks and all other gadgets, find your own sweet spot for technology: how comfortable you are, what you are willing to pay, the learning curve and the efficiency/effectiveness of use. No choice is right for all, but whatever you choose, do it with intentionality.

Thanks to Nate and Mike for the tip!

leadership dot #1722: proximity

February 17, 2017February 11, 2017by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

One of the hardest aspects of writing this blog is keeping track of all my potential ideas. As I wrote yesterday, most dots are a synthesis of several thoughts that I connect together to craft a lesson. But I collect those ideas from multiple places and over an extended time period — making it challenging to keep them in a format that allows them to stay alive and not lost.

For example, Sunday’s dot was from an email my friend sent me in December, 2015 (14 months ago — Thanks, Tracy!), inspired by a dot I did last week, coupled with information from years ago when I was working on a campus. I have ideas written in little notebooks, pictures on my phone, emails and texts with ideas from friends, electronic copies of articles that inspired me, things I hear on the radio, social media entries, newspaper and magazine clippings and more. The challenge of synthesis is not only melding the ideas in my head, but being able to physically access the accompanying reference materials to be able to write about it.

It reminds me of a scene in the 1988 movie Working Girl, where Melanie Griffith is asked how she got her idea for Trask Industries to acquire a radio network. She pulled out a file folder with an article that had Mr. Trask’s daughter’s wedding announcement on one page and a feature about the radio’s star DJ on the next page. The proximity helped her to make the connection.

I don’t think most of our environments are set up to foster synthesis. Our office has rows of file folders or electronic documents that keep each item in its own separate location. Our schools teach individual subjects and don’t often provide interdisciplinary instruction. Our lives are kept manageable by keeping things in silos and schedules.

Think about what you can do to put some of your different inputs in proximity with each other in a way that may encourage synthesis. Have conversations with friends and family that elevate the discourse by chatting about ideas, rather than just the events of the day. Make time to journal or reflect on what things mean to you and how they relate to each other. Mentally try to make connections as you absorb new materials.

And if any of these methods reveal an effective way to integrate multiple media inputs, please let me know!

leadership dot #1721: synthesis

February 16, 2017February 11, 2017by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

One of the assignments in the class I am teaching requires students to write a synthesis paper. The objective of this is to allow (force?!) students to reflect on the connections between the textbook, additional readings, class discussions and their personal experience. It is obvious that they need some practice in this skill!

Synthesis is where the magic happens.

It is taking information that is readily available to all and making new insights and observations. Synthesis is creating a more complete picture out of fragments and seeing relationships that may have otherwise been overlooked. Synthesis is, dare I say, connecting the dots, of disparate ideas into something original.

Think about how you can exercise your “synthesis muscle” on a regular basis. When you read a news item, consider how it relates to other stories you have read before, or tie the national news to the local level. Tie your experiences together and see if you can’t find additional meaning between the lessons you gain in church and what is happening at work, as an example. Maybe you can connect what you are doing in your volunteer work with something that relates to a vacation or your family.

With effective synthesis, one plus one really does equal three.

leadership dot #1720: subliminal

February 15, 2017February 11, 2017by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The passing of Mary Tyler Moore got me reminiscing about her iconic Mary Tyler Moore television show. Though I haven’t thought of it in ages, I was able to sing most of the theme song by memory, and, of course, knew the cue for the signature tossing of the hat.

I watched every episode of that series during grade school/high school, but did not really realize it was a groundbreaking premise to feature a single woman pursuing a career. It was just a good show.

It wasn’t until I recently read Tim McGraw’s tribute to MTM upon her passing that I wondered what impact the show had on my development. Did it subliminally convey that it was an option to pursue a career and not children? Did it shape my desire to major in journalism? Did it draw me to want to live in a big city?

While I am not sure whether I subconsciously followed Mary Richard’s path, I am sure that we take in shapes us, whether we realize it at the time or not. Pay attention to your social media feeds, reading list, entertainment and friends. They are all sending messages that help us become who we are.

leadership dot #1719: valentine

February 14, 2017May 7, 2017by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

A friend and I were struck by the multitude of advertisements for Valentine’s Day: flowers, jewelry, edible bouquets, heart-shaped pizzas, dinners, dating sites, etc. “It’s a Hallmark Holiday,” he said, “but one that has been around for a long time.”

That is an understatement. Valentine’s Day in some form has been celebrated as far back as the Middle Ages. Printed valentines began in 1415, and today over 1 billion valentines are exchanged each year. It is estimated that people spend $20 billion/year on Valentine’s Day, buying 220 million roses and 35 million chocolate candy-filled hearts among other tokens of love. Over 62% of Americans celebrate the holiday in one form or another.

According to the History Channel, the origins of the holiday began with Lupercalia, a Roman fertility festival. The priests would sacrifice a goat, strip its hide and dip it in blood, then touch the women and crops to increase their fertility. Also as part of the festival, women would place their names in an urn then bachelors would reach in to select a partner. At the end of the 5th century, the Catholic Church renamed the holiday St. Valentine’s Day, and the mid-February date was chosen to correspond with the birds’ mating season. The holiday of romance has persisted since then.

Whether you celebrate with goat’s blood or a fancy dinner with goat’s cheese, I hope that you have a full heart today. In these antagonistic times, we could all use a little more love in our life. Choose a valentine or a total stranger, but commit to spread some love today.

leadership dot #1718: rock walls

February 13, 2017February 27, 2017by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I wrote on Friday about the importance of sleep, and it seems that companies are recognizing its benefits as well. Phoenix Investors in Milwaukee is now offering “napping rooms” in its office facility. These spaces allow employees to grab a “power nap” during the day in order to recharge.

Napping rooms are just one more sign that company benefits are spiraling, just as college amenities did in the race for more enrollment. Campuses added rock walls, hot tubs, lavish recreation centers, a la carte 24/7 dining areas, organic food, plasma televisions and more. Companies are now adding exercise classes, physical therapy suites, acupuncture, concierge services, SCUBA certification, cooking lessons and bowling lanes.

I am reminded of a dot I wrote in 2013 that referenced a study by Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones. They spent three years asking executives what characteristics the best company on earth to work for would possess. They arrived at a list of six: You can be yourself. You’re told what’s really going on. Your strengths are magnified. The company stands for something meaningful. Your daily work is rewarding. Stupid rules don’t exist.

Rock walls and napping rooms weren’t mentioned. Don’t get so caught up in the amenities race that you forget about the real things that make a difference.

leadership dot #1717: potentially

February 12, 2017February 11, 2017by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I had to laugh when I saw this sign:

Even though the dog wasn’t there, it was effective in keeping me at an extended distance. But my favorite part was the word “potentially.” Aren’t all dogs potentially vicious — if taunted or provoked?

I think of the wide range of emotions and behavioral expression that animals and people potentially have. Employees could put a sign at their desk or family members could hang one in the kitchen: Potentially _____________. Potentially Happy. Potentially Crabby. Potentially Snarky. Potentially Giddy.

We all have the potential to pick our attitude and emotions. Take care to choose one that doesn’t keep others away.

leadership dot #1716: lifetime warranty

February 11, 2017February 9, 2017by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

In 2011, I purchased a replacement watch battery from a jeweler in the mall. It cost triple what just the battery itself would be, but the jeweler has that special tool to easily install it. AND, as they proclaimed, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

The catch is that you have to have the original receipt to cash in on your free replacement. At the time, I asked if they kept records in their system that they could just look up to verify my purchase. No. Of course not. They do not want me to receive another battery.

Being the organized nerd that I am, I created a handy dandy file folder that said “watch warranties.” In went the receipt. And last week, out came the receipt. Once they got over their amazement, the jeweler politely honored his guarantee and gave me a new battery.

Think about how your organization operates. Are you like this company that sets up conditions that make it difficult for the consumer to receive the full value of what they paid? Do you charge more on the front end, knowing that the vast majority of customers will not redeem all to which they are entitled? Could you assume more of the burden of record keeping and make it easy for your customers to do repeat business with you, even when that does not bring in additional revenue at the time?

Customer service is like that Energizer Bunny that keeps going and going. Don’t let yours stop by trying to drain life from your promises.

leadership dot #1715: zzz

February 10, 2017February 9, 2017by leadership dots by dr. beth triplett1 Comment

There has been much written lately about the importance of sleep and how being well rested contributes to both mental and physical health. There has also been research on the role of sleep deprivation in children. And yet, due to the complexities of bussing, after school activities, daycare, parental schedules and other constraints, the traditional school day begins much earlier than children would rise on their own.

I experienced this first hand this week when I accompanied the artists-in-residence to the schools. Their first performance was in first period — 7:40am — which meant getting up and ready in the dark. The crowd that morning was listless, with some actually leaning back in their seats and dozing off. The second performance at 10am was noticeably more alive, and by the 1:30 show students were vibrant and engaged.

I am sure that teachers live this reality every single day, but it was vividly apparent to me (and the performers) as we watched the tenor of the crowd change with the later hour and advent of sunshine. Evidence from other national surveys indicate that “70 percent of adolescents sleep less than the recommended 8 to 9 hours each night. Lack of sleep may have a direct effect on children’s health, behavior, and development.” I know it takes a toll on adults as well.

Think of how you can role model behavior in yourself or in your organization to accommodate natural rhythms of sleep. Can you start every day later, or at least begin later in winter months when the sun is slow to rise? Is it possible to offer flex time to allow staff to follow their own internal clocks? Can you make it a family ritual to all head to bed at an earlier hour? [iPhones have a “bedtime” feature to help you get a reminder when it’s time to head for slumber]

Sleep isn’t just a luxury; it is an essential part of a balanced life. Move “getting zzz’s” up on your priority list and it will improve the effectiveness of all the other things that follow.

leadership dot #1714: guitjo

February 9, 2017February 8, 2017by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I recently accompanied Acoustic Eidolon as they performed as artists-in-residence in area schools. The duo performs with two instruments: a cello and a guitjo. If you have never heard of the later it is no surprise. The guitjo is a custom instrument that combines the guitar with the banjo into a two-neck string music-maker.

Joe Scott of Acoustic Eidolon wanted to incorporate the sounds of the banjo into his performance, so he designed the instrument to allow him to do so. Once he had the guitjo custom-made, he then had to learn a new technique to allow him to play chords and the melody simultaneously.

It would have been easier for Joe to alternate between the guitar and banjo, to add another performer to play the second instrument or to throw up his hands and lament that a blended medium did not exist. Instead, he put pencil to paper to design something new, then found a luthier to craft one for him. The result is a uniquely captivating sound that has entertained audiences around the world.

How can you model Joe’s behavior and actually bring to fruition an idea that currently is just inside your head? Can you move from a need into action and create something that fills a gap in what exists? Sometimes combining two disparate ideas can result in beautiful music.

Learn more at Acoustic Eidolon.com