Month: September 2021

leadership dot #3384: cannot

September 20, 2021September 19, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I’ve been having some trouble with one of my ears and the first time I went to the otolaryngologist, he recommended a steroid shot into my inner ear. I said “N.O. way.” We tried some other treatments but they had no results, so, very reluctantly, I conceded to have the shot. Not just one, but three over the course of three weeks.

While the shots did not yield the impact I had hoped for, I did live through them. I will even admit that with the initial numbing medicine, they weren’t as bad as I imagined in my mind. And I need to remind myself that if I had done them in the first place, I could have avoided the terrible side effects from the first treatment that was far worse than the shots.

Eleanor Roosevelt said: “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” She was right. We can do that thing. We can get the injections. We can fire the star performer if there are ethics violations. We can rebuild after tragedy. We can grunt through one more task to finish that project.

Your mind may scream “no” but if your gut knows it’s what you should be doing, let your mouth say “yes.”

leadership dot #3383: dogs

September 19, 2021September 19, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

An interesting factoid — 92% of people would rather talk about their dog than any other subject. Ok, I read it in an advertisement for dog treats but I believe that it’s true — or at least it is for me. Ask me about my dogs and I get chatty!

Pets are a source of joy for people — close to their hearts but not too personal to share. Keep this in mind the next time you’re with a group of strangers and need to strike up a conversation. You could ask: “Any four-legged members of your family?” or “Who has puppy stories to share?” or “My dog makes me laugh — how about yours?”

Just as pets wiggle their way into your heart, let them do the same with your conversation. Human tongues will be wagging!

leadership dot #3382: pumpkin spice

September 18, 2021September 17, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Think of how many millions have been made because of the flavor pumpkin spice. What started off as a coffee enhancement has morphed into just about every product imaginable: breads, cereals, nuts, candles, soaps, sanitizers — if it is scented, I guarantee that pumpkin spice is an option. I even saw a cartoon that parodied offering “pumpkin spice vaccines” since everyone seems to be attracted to whatever is offered in that flavor!

Can your organization jump on the bandwagon? Even adding some pumpkins to your print subliminally links you to something that is popular with the masses. As the fall weather changes, your offerings might benefit from a bit of spicing up, too.

leadership dot #3381: age

September 17, 2021September 16, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

When I think of Legos, I think of little kids sitting around a pile of them building things but the company sees it differently. Legos is deep into the adult market and is continually adding kits that challenge the patience, dexterity, and wallet of their customer.

Whereas model cars used to be built with assembly kits and glue, today’s gearhead can buy Legos for many special models, including the Porsche 911, and Ferraris. Lego announced that they are adding a bonsai tree package and a floral bouquet collection that are designed to “encourage mindfulness” in adults. Each kit has over 700 pieces for people to inadvertently step on!

Lego kits also continue to become more elaborate. You can make a model of the White House or Disney Castle with Legos. A Colosseum kit retails for $549.99! The Imperial Star Destroyer is $699.99! Many others are several hundred dollars and are still back-ordered or listed as “hard to find.”

Think about your audience. Have you focused something only on youth that could also be adapted for adults? Or in reverse, could children benefit from a “young-adult” version of your service as many authors have done? Age is fluid in people’s minds — and should be in your targeting.

leadership dot #3380: curation

September 16, 2021September 16, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I was asked to teach a Global Business Communication class and said yes, even though I have no personal experience with the subject. Despite that (or maybe it’s because of that?), class is going exceedingly well. I brought in guest speakers each week to bring to life their stories from different countries. I have empowered the students to research and share. We have done debates, a simulation, skits, and case studies that have added to the understanding. We are all learning a lot.

I shared this example with a coaching client to illustrate that he doesn’t have to be the expert in something to be effective. Maybe his talent lies in curation, facilitation, or empowerment. Instead of lamenting that he doesn’t know everything about a subject, he could redirect that energy to assemble a few people who could contribute or crowdsource for ideas on one of many platforms.

It reminds me of the story of Rob McEwen* who purchased an abandoned gold mine and had no luck in finding anything of value, so he shared his seismic maps and offered $500,000 to anyone who could tell him where to look. He received 1400 responses from people using a variety of techniques and found $39 billion worth of gold!

We put too much pressure on ourselves to know it all. The real genius comes from being humble enough to ask for input and a willingness to co-create.

*Source: Create the Future by Jeremy Gutsche, Fast Company Press, 2020, p. 112-113.

leadership dot #3379: belonging

September 15, 2021September 14, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

In addition to sparking my curiosity about minimalism, the movie Nomadland shed a light on the modern-day transience of a group of people — and reinforced the importance of belonging. You may think that those who live in a van or RV roam aimlessly and alone, but the movie portrayed much more intentionality and structure to their movement and highlighted the communities they create along the way.

Many of today’s nomads go from seasonal-job to seasonal-job, working in such places as warehouses during the holidays and in hospitality during the summer tourist season. They have a routine where they return to the same locations — thus know others and have friends. Nomads often rotate between designated RV parks, again where they build community and rekindle relationships, creating a neighborhood complete with entertainment (e.g. outdoor movies or campfires) and camaraderie. While they do not have houses the modern-day nomads depicted in the film certainly have homes.

I thought about this lifestyle as many organizations wrestle with the question of remote work. It may seem that the employee is requesting to detach from the culture that is built in person but there may be a way to create routines and protocols that create community even from a fluctuating base.

The need to belong is powerful. Capitalize on that desire to create opportunities for those with less anchoring to still feel the connection to the whole.

leadership dot #3378: minimize

September 14, 2021September 14, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I watched the movie Nomadland about a character that is “houseless, not homeless” and instead lives out of a van. It got me thinking about which of my possessions I would keep if I had to reduce them to the bare minimum. When you factor in the items necessary for maintenance, cooking, and hygiene, there is not much space left for sentimentality. (For example, Frances McDormand’s character keeps one picture (total), and one plate from the full collection her father left her, etc.)

The movie prompted me to pay attention to what I actually use in my home, and I have observed that a large portion of my things is only for occasional use. When I did the same exercise about what I pack into a suitcase for a weekend trip, I realized that there are many items I take “just in case” I need them (e.g. a Bandaid, swimsuit, or extra phone battery).

It occurred to me that there is a link between possessions and risk tolerance. If I’m willing to take the chance that I’ll need to improvise, run out, or substitute I can get by with a lot less. If I am afraid of going without or being unprepared, then I accumulate a bunch more. This is true whether I’m shopping, presenting, or going on vacation.

Become your own observer and see what your insights tell you. Can you expand your risk tolerance for the bigger issues by starting with some small risks around your possessions? How much of the “in case” preparations do you actually use? How have you responded when thrown a curve ball? The time and energy you devote to contingencies may be better spent pursuing opportunities.

leadership dot #3377: hammer

September 13, 2021September 8, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Hammers have been around in essentially the same format for an estimated 3 million years. If they’ve made it this long, why tinker with them?

But hammers are another example of a product evolving to meet the needs of its users. To the uninitiated (me), all hammers are pretty much alike. But to professionals, weight is an essential element that drives the functionality of the tool.

As contractors age, they still require the power of a heavier hammer but have a harder time yielding one on a repetitive basis. Manufacturers have noticed the change in demographics and demand and are now utilizing different materials to create lighter hammers with the strike of a heavier tool.

Even products with centuries of longevity need to change to stay relevant. Don’t assume your “hammer” will always be able to hit the nail on the head if you don’t retool and adapt to contemporary needs.

Thanks Curt!

leadership dot #3376: trades

September 12, 2021January 31, 2022by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Many people are baseball card collectors so they were delighted when the Topps Truck showed up at the game and started handing out packets of free cards. I’m sure there were no Mickey Mantles in the giveaways, but for some people, it resulted in an addition to their collection.

What I liked best was that next to the truck they had a board where people could leave any duplicates they received and take other cards that were new to them. Not only did it expand the net result for many, but for everyone, it provided a new level of engagement and intrigue. Serious fans returned to the board numerous times throughout the evening and I think some enjoyed it more than the game itself.

This nearly no-cost feature made a big difference in the experience. Is there a way for you to replicate the idea at your next function? Have a table where people can share extra resources? Swap recipes? Trade unwanted baby items? Create an in-person Little Library?

Providing options to swap is an easy way for people to feel like they received a benefit for free.

leadership dot #3375: revisit

September 11, 2021September 8, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The tagline for Patriot Day is We Will Never Forget, and if you are of a certain age, you remember exactly where you were when the Trade Towers were attacked. But 70 million Americans have no firsthand experience to remember. It’s hard for me to believe that 9-11 was 20 years ago or that students in college were born after it happened.

Today is an important reminder that we need to revisit the seminal events in our personal, organizational or national history. People from more recent generations (or employment status or family ties) need to hear the stories from those who can tell them. We need to bring to the forefront the memory of the experiences that shape us, and 9-11 certainly is one of those.

The United States has designated September 11 as Patriot Day as a reminder to pause and remember that tragic day. In between all your usual business, take a moment not only to reflect but to share your memories with someone who doesn’t have their own. The history books can’t help others feel the emotions, but you can.