Month: November 2021

leadership dot #3445: solve

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

Think of all the products that have been developed specifically in response to Covid. Every day I see something new that wasn’t there “before”: single-serve silverware dispensers, key-like tools to avoid touching, pens that suppress bacteria growth, Microban trays at the airport, and even color-coded wristbands to indicate your comfort with hugging.

In my innovation class, we’re reminded that most change that is successfully implemented starts with picking the right problem to solve. The companies and entrepreneurs who made the above products — and many more — began with filling a need created by the pandemic. They saw a bad situation and turned it into a good one (for them) by supplying items to address new issues.

Every downside has an upside for someone. Become that person who finds opportunity in what everyone else sees as a problem.

leadership dot #3444: sniffles

November 19, 2021November 18, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The change of seasons and my class on change caused two thoughts to collide in my mind: the parallels between sniffles and adaptive change. Let me explain!

Adaptive change occurs when the answer is unknown, as is the case with complex problems or systems challenges. (Contrast this with technical change where the solution is known.) In cases where an adaptive solution is required, it causes discomfort so people often try to resolve the issue with a technical solution instead. It may work in the short term, but the issue never goes away.

I thought about this when I had a runny nose. A technical solution is to inhale — it cures the problem for the moment, but it does nothing for the underlying cause (adaptive). Sure enough, my problem reoccurs after a few minutes and I am no better off than I was in the beginning.

Are you trying to resolve your problem by sniffling instead of figuring out your allergy, seeking a new environment, or assessing the reason for your runniness? That constant drip in your snout is akin to the perpetual lingering of your problem unless you press through the uncomfortable to resolve the root cause of what ails you.

leadership dot #3443: automatically

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

There is a story circulating on Facebook where a father tells his young son the secret of life: “Cows don’t give milk.” He goes on to explain that: “The cow does not give milk, you have to milk it. You have to get up at 4 in the morning, walk through the corral full of manure, tie the tail, hobble the legs of the cow, sit on the stool, place the bucket and do the work yourself. You milk her or you don’t get milk.”

I could tell a parallel story to the young supervisors about the secret of organizational culture. It doesn’t happen automatically either. You need to slog through uncomfortable conversations when you call out someone who violates group norms. You need to make time to show appreciation even if you do it late at night or at your own expense. You need to make tough choices to say no to tantalizing opportunities because they don’t fit within your vision. You need to fire strong producers whose behavior goes against the culture you are trying to create. And, yes, political manure is often involved.

Cows don’t give milk and effective cultures don’t just happen. Those who have been at the work for decades may make it look easy, or you may have the benefit of hiring into a well-established culture but, just as with milking, there is someone who needs to tend to it every day. Nothing worth having comes automatically.

leadership dot #3442: squirrel

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

We are taught that patience is a virtue, and, in many cases that is true — but not always.

I have owned dogs for 35 years and currently have the most patient animal I have ever seen. My Emma will sit literally for an hour, having a stare-down with a squirrel up in the tree. The thing is, the squirrel is in a tree on the other side of the fence so it is in no danger of Emma’s rath. It could easily climb down and walk away, and as a result, Emma’s patience is misguided.

Patience is a virtue in certain situations, but so is urgency. The trick is knowing what side of the fence your “squirrel” is on and waiting quietly only when there is a chance that inaction can actually benefit you.

leadership dot #3441: 3 a.m.

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

If I did all the things I think about at 3 a.m. I would be a New York Times bestselling author, Teacher of the Year, featured in House Beautiful and physically fit. When I wake up during the night, my mind always fills with things I could do or want to do — but then it’s morning and my courage to do these bold things fades like the night sky.

I recently wrote about Bill Hewlett’s quote that you should never stifle a generous impulse. I think the principle also applies to not stifling an audacious thought. We would achieve much more if we could merge our dreams and our reality — incorporating some of the ambitious ideas from our 3 a.m. to-do list onto our 10 a.m. one.

It’s easy to oscillate between what is possible and what is practical; what we could do and what we should do — but try to be brave enough to go for some of those crazy thoughts that swirl while on your pillow.

leadership dot #3440: goals

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

When writing goals for the year it’s easy to get caught up in the implementation phase, especially if you’re a one-person department. Even if there are multiple people on your staff, the focus often becomes on the details instead of the overall strategy behind them.

One way to combat this bias is to split your goal planning into two — pretending that one of you/one set of goals is only for the strategy aspect and another would be the implementation work primarily for your deputy (even if you don’t have one). You can then combine the two sets of goals into one holistic list but it ensures that the strategic aspect of the exercise isn’t forgotten.

The same concept works for the to-do list and calendar assessment as well — consider how much time you are spending on the tasks vs. the strategy and then evaluate whether that proportion is appropriate given your role and situation. We live in a world of do, do, do and often neglect to spend even minimal time assessing why we are doing what we are. Use these tools to keep the two aspects of goal setting separate and see if strategy doesn’t win in the process.

leadership dot #3439: case

November 14, 2021November 13, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

A quick indication of someone’s personality can be obtained just by looking at their phone case. Almost everyone has a phone and with limitless choices to protect it, you can get a good gauge of their style in one glance.

This became apparent to me while having lunch with two colleagues. One of us had a plain navy leather case, another gold glitter, and the third had flowers. Those who know us could easily match the phone to its owner without any further information.

Whether you like it or not, your accessories send a signal about you. You can use your case to communicate a bit more levity, a tone of seriousness, a mix of warmth and caring, or any one of a thousand other traits. Think about what you want your phone to say about you even when you aren’t using it.

leadership dot #3438: thanks

November 13, 2021November 12, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Receiving a tangible thank you note is a rarity in this age of verbal or electronic acknowledgments, so I was very surprised to receive one from an unlikely source. I purchased popcorn from the Boy Scouts selling at my door and when the treat was delivered the Scout handed me a thank you note along with my purchase.

It was a small gesture but a meaningful one — teaching him good manners as well as appreciating my contribution to his cause. In all my years of buying popcorn, wrapping paper, treats, and fundraising items of all types, I have never received such a note.

Thank you notes require minimal effort compared to their return. Never underestimate the goodwill you can earn with a simple signed note.

leadership dot #3437: escalate

November 12, 2021November 11, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

One of the decisions that people need to make when communicating is at what level of escalation to begin the conversation.

If you have the CEO or top official initially address the issue, there isn’t much room for an appeal or further consideration. But if you begin the negotiation or dialogue with a middle manager, they can always turn to the director and/or vice president if the heat needs to be turned up or lowered. Determining who should respond is a strategic decision that may or may not limit your options.

The same is true about where you begin with what you say. If your opening salvo is essentially the equivalent of “we’re going to sue you,” it’s hard to back away from that and preserve the relationship. If you communicate your point with a softer opening (such as Netflix’s line to a copyright transgressor: “Don’t make us call your mom.”) there is latitude to escalate the intensity should circumstances warrant.

Your emotions may make you feel as if you want to charge into the communication but your pen or keyboard should resist the temptation and begin with as little escalation as has the potential to be effective.

leadership dot #3436: extremes

November 11, 2021November 10, 2021by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

It seems that our political leanings and stance on vaccinations aren’t the only things that are taken to the extremes lately. So many behaviors are occurring on an “all or nothing” scale with fewer people making decisions in moderation.

Closing the office entirely or going back 100% instead of approving hybrid arrangements
Quitting a job instead of going part-time or using FMLA when circumstances occur
Becoming obsessed with a hobby instead of using it as an occasional distraction
Dropping out of school instead of taking a semester off to regroup
Choosing very severe diets like Adkins vs. eating healthy without restrictions
Going on a purging spree instead of taking the time to evaluate and sort possessions
Becoming an entrepreneur instead of crafting flexibility and autonomy in a current job

It’s easier to make decisions if you’re deciding between black or white whereas gray requires some deliberation to discern the differences. But by choosing one end of the spectrum, we close off the possibilities of other options and often miss the benefits moderation can afford us. Like Oreos, the good stuff can be in the middle.