Month: October 2021

leadership dot #3405: almost

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I have been looking for a new tote for quite some time. While I was in New Mexico, I saw one that was very close to the ideal but it had a quirk that I knew would drive me crazy so I left it behind. Now, I measure all the other options against that one, and the more time that elapses, the more perfect the one that got away becomes.

But when I really think about it, I know that if I had made the purchase, I would not be happy with it and would have been annoyed the whole time I had it. Right now, I’d likely be writing about how one small flaw can ruin the perception of the whole!

When we make a decision, it’s easy to second-guess or only remember the “pro” side of the equation. Unless we’re really intentional about it, we block from our memory the negative analysis that led us to the conclusion we reached and only remember the good aspects that we forfeited. It’s a sure path to unnecessary regret.

Give your decision due diligence — whether that is regarding a relationship, purchase, project, or life transition — and then don’t look back. Trust that you truly made the right choice, not that you “almost” did.

leadership dot #3404: trouble

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My sister’s motto is “Why be plain?” and it applies to websites as well as signage like I wrote about yesterday (dot 3403).

We’ve all had the dreaded “this page is not available” pop up on our screen, but why does it have to be boring and simply give a 404 Error message? Companies have created a host of more creative options, allowing them to communicate the same message but in a way that is entertaining instead of annoying.

Invest the effort in making all your communication cohesive and intentional. Don’t waste the opportunity to build your brand — even when you’re having temporary trouble with your website.

Thanks, Emily!

leadership dot #3403: communicate

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When you think of signs with company branding, often that simply involves having the organization’s logo on display. Companies may give attention to the main marquee or prominent signs, but few pay attention to the details on tangential signage. That’s unfortunate because it is where you can really bring your logo and values alive.

One great example of this comes from the disabled vehicle sign in the Hurt’s Donuts parking lot. Instead of the generic blue, they were able to get their message — and their personality — across in the same sheet of metal.

Are your signs generic — or do they communicate “you”? Don’t waste an opportunity to express something besides information in every sign you post.

leadership dot #3402: battles

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The Rise Above exhibit about the Tuskegee Airmen (dot 3401) was in town partially to raise awareness for a fund-raising campaign to commemorate a local Airman. Robert L. Martin is a hometown boy who joined the elite Red Tail Squadron, and there is an effort underway to rename the airport terminal in his honor.

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? You just change the name. But — like with the Squadron itself — nothing is ever easy. The FAA and the Federal government were involved. The Regional Airport Commission and City Council had to pass motions. Federal funds cannot be used so IRS a petition for non-profit recognition was filed.

It became more than just a name change. You need an impressive outdoor sign. That requires architectural design fees and sign construction. You need indoor signs and an educational video (or what’s the point if no one knows about him?). It has turned into a big project with many grassroots fundraising efforts.

I am confident those involved will “triumph over adversity” as the Red Tails themselves did but use their experience as an example in your own work. Turning a “great idea” into reality isn’t easy to do. If the idea is worth pursuing (as this one is), you need to commit to it for the long haul and take satisfaction from the wins at each stage. Stay focused on the individual battles and don’t let complexity win the war.

Captain Robert L. Martin’s daughters in town as part of a fundraising effort in conjunction with the Rise Above exhibit

leadership dot #3401: rise above

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Imagine this: you’re in college but you don’t have a roommate. You have to eat alone. You aren’t spoken to outside of class in the four years you attend.

It would break most people, but instead, it inspired Benjamin Davis to graduate and go forward to become the Commander of the elite Tuskegee Airmen who protected Allied bombers in WWII. I recently learned more about this piece of our neglected story in a film about the distinctive Red Tails (the markings on their planes). The Airmen were a major contributor to the war, but the barriers they overcame to achieve it are even more remarkable.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked, racism was more overt than it is today. Black men were segregated and only served as cooks or other support roles in the armed forces. In 1942, in Tuskegee Alabama, an elite, yet separate, experimental pilot training program began in response to the war. It took First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt flying with the Airmen to provide it credibility instead of them being seen as “inferior beings.” Tuskegee Airmen were then deployed throughout the war and gave bomber escorts on over 1500 missions. The Red Tail Squadron became known as “red tail angels” because of their skill in providing protection to the bombers. They went from being shunned to being requested by the pilots and becoming integral to the Allied success.

No one who participates in war has it easy, but the Tuskegee Airmen had to overcome so many obstacles just to serve. They came back to continued segregation and did not receive their due recognition until decades later. I encourage you to learn more about their story.

“Triumph over adversity” is the motto of the Red Tails — a good lesson for all of us to take to heart.

Restored Red Tail P-51C Mustang at the Rise Above exhibit at the Dubuque Regional airport

leadership dot #3400: illogic

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In our area, the ads attempting to encourage people to get a Covid vaccine have taken a markedly different slant. Instead of providing information, highlighting the science behind the shots, talking about how the vaccines are safe, or even promoting “we’re all in this together,” now the announcements are appealing to emotions. The newest ads tell stories about how health care workers have done their part and been through so much — “can’t you help them out by getting your shot?” It is a softer message, devoid of hard facts.

And I think it’s a great approach.

People who have decided not to be vaccinated are not going to be swayed by a library full of scientific studies. It’s about something different for them, and the newer ads try to reach those who may be open to persuasion through compassion for the caregivers.

There are many situations where people have solidified their beliefs to the point where no amount of new information is going to change their minds. It might be about a candidate, an idea, or a relationship — but no matter what you say, it will never be enough to persuade them to share your conclusion. After laying out your argument, you’re wasting your energy if you expect more facts to make a difference. If they are dug in, there’s something else at play. Logic is not an effective response to illogic. Try a new tactic.

leadership dot #3399: superstar

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My car dealership allows you to choose “your” service advisor and request that person when you schedule appointments. My guy is Nate. My car had a warning light come on so I called him. He was his usual delightful self, arranged the appointment around my schedule, and provided a loaner for my convenience. Only when I arrived, I learned he was home with a sick child.

The gentlemen who took care of me were polite and helpful, but they weren’t anything special. It created a whole different experience. They were good, but they weren’t great, and it caused me to ponder why.

Nate makes me feel like he knows me, my car, and will take care of me. He calls me by my preferred name instead of the formal name in their system. I trust him to be a straight-shooter and to only do what repairs are necessary because there have been times when he did a quick fix to see if we really needed a full replacement. And he explains the work without making me feel stupid — a rarity in the car repair world.

None of this is rocket science but it makes a world of difference in the service experience. I bought my car at this dealership because of Nate, and drive two hours each time I need a repair. It’s all worth it to me.

There are people who can do the job and others who shine at their work. If you find yourself with a superstar, especially one in a front-facing position, never minimize the impact that one person can have on your organization. Reward them, appreciate them, and cherish them as your key organizational differentiator.

leadership dot #3398: prune

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When I’m packing for a trip or a workshop in a hurry, I have a tendency to throw everything in. It takes time and mental energy to clearly think through in advance what I am going to wear or need, and if I don’t invest that effort, it seems easier to take it all.

The sad fact is that it is quicker in the short term but lugging everything has long-term consequences. I inevitably bring far more than I need and pay the price on the back end by acting like a sherpa carrying it around, expending energy to pack/re-pack to fit it all in, and wasting time looking for something because there is too much there.

The same principle applies in other settings — if you don’t edit in the process, the main idea gets lost in the multiple pages of a proposal; if you buy too much you can’t see what you have in the closet or pantry, and if you save too many mementos the ones with real meaning get blended in, etc.

Spend a few extra moments to plan and you’ll benefit in the end. Less is less — less hassle, less hunting, less waste, less back-breaking. Do yourself a favor and prune.

leadership dot #3397: borders

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We mostly think of the United States as a whole, with little regard given to state borders. The designs on the highway signs may change, but people cross state lines every day without any difference in function.

Recently, two things have taken me aback because they caused me to realize that I’m in a different state. The first is mask-wearing. Iowa has mandates that you can’t have a mask mandate, but in New Mexico, everyone had masks on everywhere. In Wisconsin, masks were pervasive and required indoors. Coming from a state where they are optional, it was striking to see everyone masked up.

The second reminder was at O’Hare airport where there is a marijuana amnesty box for anyone who bought cannabis legally in Illinois but is unable to legally take it to the state to which they are flying. Another reminder that it’s state legislation in action.

The national elections get all the hype, but day-to-day life is impacted more by what happens outside of Washington. Pay attention to what’s happening at your local, county, and state levels, and use your voice to influence these jurisdictions. We’re divided enough as a country; don’t let state borders become one more division.

leadership dot #3396: shelf

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Everyone now has a personal entertainment center in their pocket and the newer planes accommodate for that. In a nod to how prevalent streaming has become, airlines have adapted their planes to provide special shelves to hold phones for that purpose. Gone are the built-in phones and even television screens on the back of the seat, replaced with a simple shelf to allow people to utilize their own equipment.

Has your organization looked at its physical space lately and considered whether modifications need to be made? With most people having a phone are you providing outlets instead of screens, wifi instead of paper forms for check-in, tables for laptops instead of public computers, or phone chargers instead of phone booths?

Technology — and its users — are continually evolving. Your space needs to change too in order to stay relevant. What was convenient even a few years ago now may be outdated.