Month: March 2019

leadership dot #2470: unconventional

March 21, 2019March 20, 2019by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Our arts council sponsored a musical ensemble from Norway for a residency in the local elementary schools. The students’ favorite musician: the percussionist — but not just because of his prowess on the drums. What endeared him to the audience was the wide range of “instruments” that he used to create music: goats’ hooves, butterfly cocoons, sea shells, a peeled cymbal tower and a wide array of bells.

Kenneth Ekornes is a traditional Norwegian folk artist but collects all manner of items that make sounds and incorporates them into his music. He replicated eagles, thunder, frogs, snowstorms and birds by pulling items out of his box of treasures. He crafts some of his own sound-makers, has been given instruments as gifts from native musicians, and picks up some when traveling to other cultures. So, what is his favorite souvenir from America? A washboard tie that you can play while wearing it!

Ekornes has defined music broadly and, as a result, has created an instrumental feast that entranced all who heard it. Think about how you can re-define your specialty area and expand its scope in ways that are nontraditional. It’s much easier to replicate or even to master what has been done before but you can create real magic by inventing unconventional ways to express your talents.

leadership dot #2469: narrow

March 20, 2019March 19, 2019by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

What do jury instructions and dissertations have in common? The end result is incredibly narrow in focus.

When I served on a jury, I left the courtroom ready to hand over a “guilty” verdict for the defendant. In my mind, the evidence showed that he committed the crime. But the jury instructions we received were ultra-specific: for example, did the defendant send X number of harassing communications between X-Y date, etc. In the end, we could only convict him on two of the five counts because of the tight parameters.

When I wrote my dissertation, I was convinced that it would be something in the area of human resources. Ultimately, my research topic was Role Expectations and Predictions of Trends for Human Resource Development at Small, Private Colleges and Universities within the Southern Regional Education Board Area. If you had asked me at the start, I would not have been able to fathom that I would be this specific or that the whole study would hinge on just five research questions, but it wasn’t until I narrowed it down to this level that the real writing could begin.

Often, we spend time trying to manage an expansive interpretation of the problem when it would be better to dedicate our energy to reducing the issue to a far more minute level than we first anticipated. Unlike on television, it’s never a question of whether someone is guilty or not, rather did or didn’t he violate Statute XYZ(a). Research doesn’t tackle a whole subject area, but only a tiny sliver of it.

Consider the issues that loom large in your world — perhaps you would be better off by parsing them into small, specific bits and resolving them one component at a time. Moving to the narrow part of the funnel is where thinking morphs into action.

leadership dot #2468: upstream

March 19, 2019March 19, 2019by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

There is a fable that succinctly illustrates the difference between being reactive and proactive. Often, people don’t have the resources (time, money, energy) to solve both the problems and what causes them. They become absorbed in the urgency of fixing the problem (doing good works “downstream”) instead of focusing “upstream” on the source of the issue. This fable shows that while there are notable improvements in the response, it is still a never-ending cycle without curing the root cause.

Child welfare workers, from where this story originated, can work mightily to improve foster care or move upstream to reform the causes that remove children from their families in the first place. Wellness professionals can provide convenient weight loss programs or work to promote healthy eating that prevents obesity. Colleges can invest in excellent tutoring and academic success programs or collaborate with secondary (or elementary schools) to increase student preparedness upon graduation.

Middle managers are especially susceptible to this narrow thinking as their daily work revolves around being passionate about getting things done without necessarily linking it to the system or big picture. It becomes the job of the executive or higher-level manager to see beyond the surface and understand the system at a deeper level, strategically recommending changes “upstream” in the organization or industry.

If you are an entry-level staff member or someone just climbing the ranks, taking time to intentionally think about the larger environment is an excellent training tool for future growth. Share this fable with colleagues and incorporate the “upstream-downstream” language into your meetings, planning and conversations. The most important thing you can do “downstream” is eliminate the need for it.

Thanks, Alia for sharing!

leadership dot #2467: web

March 18, 2019March 17, 2019by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The internet has become so pervasive that we forget all the ways it is infused into our lives. It’s obvious that we’re on the web when we’re using Google or following a hyperlink, but it isn’t until the internet is down that we realize all the other ways we have connected to it.

My printer is wireless. The thermostat. My new washer and dryer have wireless functions. Streaming entertainment. Many security doors and key codes. This blog relies not only on WordPress to publish but also for picture sites, research links and social media posting. We think of the smartphone as its own source of knowledge, but it, too, uses the internet as do Siri and Alexa.

Amherst College lost internet for a week and buildings automatically unlocked, the classroom management system was down, students couldn’t scan their ID cards for meals or laundry and the communication system was crippled.

We are all linked with the invisible connections of the internet and we have come to rely on it, even if we don’t explicitly recognize that we do.

The same is true of other people: we are connected to them and we rely on them – even if we don’t notice it until they are gone.

Take a moment today to appreciate all the webs that envelop you.

leadership dot #2466: holidays

March 17, 2019March 16, 2019by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

What makes a holiday? I wonder why St. Patrick’s Day warrants aisles of green decorations, dying of rivers and its own section of greeting cards. Who decides what is merchandised and what isn’t?

I think about International Women’s Day that garners a few targeted advertisements and a host of social media posts, but for the most part, is unnoticed. Groundhog Day is designated on most calendars, yet Inauguration Day isn’t. Halloween merits its own stores but Patriot Day has low recognition. The Post Office doesn’t deliver on President’s Day but hasn’t found a way to get an extra day off for Easter.

There seems like many holidays are being driven by commercialization rather than meaning. Why does the United States put more emphasis on St. Patrick than Lewis and Clark, Rosa Parks or Paul Revere?

As you eat your green donuts, enjoy your cabbage or drink your green beer today, take a moment to recognize how easy it is to turn something into a holiday. Use that energy to commemorate another day that is worth celebrating on its merits, not just on its merchandising.

leadership dot #2465: keyboard

March 16, 2019March 12, 2019by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The distinctive burgundy “M” that represents the University of Minnesota has taken on new life as a novel branding tool: a keyboard sticker that covers the standard “M”. Now when alumni or friends use their computer they are reminded of their affinity to the school.

I am surprised it took this long for the keyboard to turn into a billboard but think of the many options for others to capitalize on this well-used space. Other schools could perpetuate their logo, say an orange “T” for Tennessee fans, a red “W” for Wisconsinites, or an “N” for the Big Red Nebraska supporters.

Other businesses or charities could do the same: a multi-colored “G” for Google; Obama’s distinctive “O”, the Facebook “f”, Pinterest “P”, McDonald’s “M” or slanted “Y” from the YMCA. Once you start looking, single-letter logos are everywhere.

In real estate, the saying is “location, location, location.” The same goes for marketing. Don’t overlook ways to incorporate your brand into the most used locations of your friends and fans.

leadership dot #2464: under the hood

March 15, 2019March 12, 2019by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I recently attended a new car show where consumers were free to roam the exhibit hall and inspect a large selection of new vehicles. There were sales staff present, but unlike the stereotypical car dealer, these sellers were remarkably low key and almost invisible. Potential customers could “kick the tires”, look under the hood and generally do anything but test drive without interruption from staff.

I am not sure that any sales resulted during the event, but I’m sure it has long-term effectiveness. People like having the freedom to check things out in depth and at their own pace – to look beyond the glossy exterior to see what something is really like. Most people who look under the hood have little idea of what they are actually looking at but feel better having seen inside anyway.

While your enterprise may not lend itself to a fancy show in the exhibit hall, think about whether there is a way you could allow your clients to do the equivalent of looking under your hood. Can you host an open house where people are free to see your facilities or resources? Is there a way to offer a tour or show behind-the-scenes? Can you provide samples or short-term services to allow people to experience your enterprise without a commitment?

Affording potential clients closer look at what you offer provides congruency between what they can see and what they usually can’t. What can you do today to open your “hood” to others?

leadership dot #2463: ambivalent

March 14, 2019March 12, 2019by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

In his book Originals, Adam Grant writes about “ambivalent relationships” – those where you are unsure of whether or not the person is supportive of you. “It takes more emotional energy and coping resources to deal with individuals that are inconsistent,” he writes. Grant says that you must remain constantly on guard in uncertain relationships – thus they are even more unhealthy for you than with negative relationships since there you know where you stand.

Nowhere is the ambivalence more stressful than when it occurs with your boss. If you are unsure that your supervisor has your back and will support you, much energy is wasted as you become tentative in your responses and stifle any creativity for fear of failure. Bosses who are like wheat – leaning one way then suddenly leaning another – cause much duplication and stress for those who must deal with the consequences.

Grant writes; “It is our instinct to sever bad relationships and salvage the ambivalent ones, but evidence suggests we ought to do the opposite.” The constant toll of being in limbo is more emotionally draining than writing off a known negative.

If you have a supervisor or colleague that is wavering in their support, maybe it’s time for you to pursue other options. Don’t be unequivocal about someone who is ambivalent toward you.

leadership dot #2462: sorry

March 13, 2019March 12, 2019by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

There is a moment that encourages people, especially women, to say “I’m sorry” less frequently. Some feel that females apologize for things that do not warrant a mea culpa when the same sentiment can be achieved with a “thank you” instead.

For example: “I’m sorry I’m late” can be replaced with “Thank you for waiting on me” or “I’m sorry to ask you for a favor” to “Thank you for helping me out.”

There may or may not be merit to this line of thinking but what I do know is that “I’m sorry” still has its place – specifically in the customer service realm. I recently was overcharged – again – at Sam’s and while the manager gave me a robust explanation for how the error occurred, he never apologized, either with an “I’m sorry” or even a “thank you”.

And when American canceled yet another of my flights, the customer service rep was so unhelpful that I spoke with her manager and he, too, failed to give any type of apology for requiring a mad dash to the airport a day before my originally scheduled flight as the only option to make it to my destination before my gig.

It is one thing to apologize unnecessarily but it is far more egregious not to apologize at all when warranted. Don’t be sorry that you neglected to express regret when you fail to serve.

leadership dot #2461: extinguish

March 12, 2019March 11, 2019by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Sometimes your most significant accomplishment of the day is when something doesn’t happen.

Think of all the energy that goes into preventing a crisis or proactively problem solving: correcting false information so that misinformation doesn’t become an issue, double checking processes to prevent an error, maintaining equipment so it won’t break down, or even driving defensively to avert an accident.

It is easy to take satisfaction in the tangible outcomes of what we do, but it’s also important to celebrate the work that no one sees. Some of your biggest wins may come from extinguishing that spark so it never bursts into flames.

Thanks, Mike!