Month: November 2023

leadership dot #4120: the only one

November 30, 2023November 29, 2023by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Several people have recently asked me if I’ve had a similar situation to theirs, and people have commented on the dots saying: “Often they validate my thinking, which is good because otherwise, I’d wonder if it’s me!” These are accomplished, professional people, yet there is still doubt as to whether they are the only ones facing uncomfortable situations.

In virtually every case, they are not alone…

…but it helps to hear someone else say that. Their queries reinforce for me the importance of having a coach, mentor, professional network, or confidante (or blog writer 😃) who can allay the doubts and boost your self-confidence. Another person can provide perspective, experience, and a non-biased view of the situation that can keep your second-guessing at bay — in addition to offering suggestions as to how to move forward.

The next time demons come knocking, stop your internal wondering and instead turn to your resources for evidence that it’s not only you.

leadership dot #4119: darkness

November 29, 2023November 28, 2023by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I had the unenviable task of taking a friend to the airport — an hour and a half away — for a 5 a.m. flight. While driving at 2:30 a.m. through very rural areas, I was surprised at how many lights were on. Barns and farmhouses had spotlights illuminating large areas around them; businesses had lights on their signs and buildings, and billboards continued to display their messages even at that hour.

For most of the trip, I was the only car on the road, yet the lights burned brightly even when no one was there to benefit from it.

Think of where you are expending energy on something that is not seen. Do you need to do all the tasks you are doing? Can you reduce the intervals or frequency of your work? If you stopped doing something, would it be missed?

Metaphorically turning off the lights for a period can save your energy for when your light needs to shine.

leadership dot #4118: marshmallow

November 28, 2023November 27, 2023by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

In one of my organizational culture classes, the students participate in Tom Wujec’s Marshmallow Challenge, trying to make the tallest, freestanding structure out of spaghetti, string, and tape — plus a jumbo marshmallow that must be placed on the top.

Even though this exercise is referenced in Daniel Coyle’s The Culture Code the students are reading, inevitably they wait until the very end to secure the marshmallow and the whole tower tumbles over. They underestimate the weight of the seemingly insignificant item and it causes their demise.

Many things in organizational life are like that marshmallow. We dismiss the impact of smaller details, forgetting they are what can trip up the entire project. We wait until the last minute and then don’t have time for contingencies. We focus so much on getting started that we fail to think the whole process through.

It’s worth your 20 minutes to try the Marshmallow Challenge with your team and to debrief afterward. The lessons from that little cube of fluff can pay dividends in all your project work.

leadership dot #4117: humiliated

November 27, 2023November 23, 2023by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

A social media post shared a slide from a teacher’s conference that read: “Young people do not hate math. They hate feeling confused, embarrassed, and humiliated by math.”

I could extend this analogy and say: “Old people do not hate technology. They hate feeling confused, embarrassed, and humiliated by technology.”

I’m sure you could keep the chain going and add in a number of things that cause angst more because of not understanding that from the process itself. Think about this the next time you are introducing a new _____ into your system and focus on helping people become comfortable with learning before you dismiss them as not interested or able.

Source: Lary Martinek at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, DC 2023

leadership dot #4116: cactus

November 26, 2023November 23, 2023by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I have a cactus that blooms at Thanksgiving. I love that it is at its best at an unusual time of year — not in the spring or summer when flowers abound, or even at Christmas when poinsettias or centerpieces are plentiful. It seems to bring color and joy on its own schedule.

How can you be like a Thanksgiving cactus and shine in the off periods? It’s easy for everyone to get pumped up at peak times, but what do you do to make an impression during the lulls or on the less desirable projects?

Make it your goal to stand out by blooming when others don’t.

leadership dot #4115: footwear

November 25, 2023November 23, 2023by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

There are more ways than ever before to express your personality — hair color, tattoos, clothing, stickers on your water bottle, avatars, nail polish, etc. It used to be that such personal expression was limited in team sports — everyone wore the same uniform and school-issued accessories. No more.

At a recent basketball game, it was a colorful display of shoes. Not just different than white but every player had a different style in multiple colors, some of which were quite noticeable as they ran. You could track a player’s moves more easily by following the neon yellow when they cut across the court and keep the opposing players straight by noting the colors of their shoes. No more uniformity there.

Two thoughts: 1) how can you find ways to give your team latitude in ways that don’t negatively impact the outcomes and 2) when you have freedom of choice, what are you choosing to say by the selections you make? Shoes are more than footwear these days.

leadership dot #4114: appointment

November 24, 2023November 23, 2023by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I like my veterinarian a lot but it’s hard to get appointments specifically with her and not someone else at the practice. As a result, I try to book far in advance to secure my spot.

I called last week for my dog’s mid-January appointment and was told to call back “in mid-December” as their schedule was not yet set that far in advance. Ok. But yesterday I received a text and email telling me that my dog was due for an appointment on January 18 and to “Please CONTACT US as soon as possible to reserve your appointment. We are currently booking one month in advance.” There is so much that aggravates me about this.

It’s great to have an automated reminder system but it does more harm than good if it is not in sync with practice or differs from the message staff relays when you call. All the details add up to create your brand and image. Don’t let it be an annoying one.

leadership dot #4113: thankful

November 23, 2023November 22, 2023by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Management guru Peter Drucker wrote: “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not turbulence itself, but to act with yesterday’s logic.”

It’s so easy to think that tomorrow will be like today. Those family members you love will still be there to hug. You’ll still have a job with those coworkers that make you a little crazy. Your house will be heated, you’ll have your health, and the skies across America will be free from bombers.

While there are many challenges and much that causes concern, today is a day to pause and be intentionally grateful for all the goodness bestowed upon us. Be thankful for more than the turkey as you celebrate this holiday.

leadership dot #4112: sweet spot

November 22, 2023November 21, 2023by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

“Good is the enemy of great.” It’s the opening line in Jim Collins’ masterpiece that I think about all the time.

One of the more serious challenges that leaders face is creating a sense of urgency and receptivity to change when things are “ok.” No one likes to disrupt their comfort level when there isn’t a crisis or perceived problem. It’s much easier to allow things to continue as they are. On the other hand, if leaders induce too much pain into the system, people will become disgruntled and shut down.

Your job as a leader is to determine that sweet spot where you can make people feel the case for change without pushing too far. This may involve painting a clear vision of what “great” looks like or it may require inducing a bit of discomfort to highlight the downside of what is perceived as “good.”

But without some intentional intervention, it’s all but certain that you will just stay the course.

Quote from Good to Great by Jim Collins, 2002.

leadership dot #4111: team development

November 21, 2023November 20, 2023by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

My colleague shared wise words about team development: “It’s not something you check off; you need to always do this.” How true!

Too often we hold a staff retreat or gathering — once a year — and leave it at that, forgetting that people join the team in the interim, change positions, stop out for periods, or were unable to attend the first time. Each time someone comes or goes it creates a new team and intentionally addressing team development needs to occur.

Keep relationship building, understanding of styles, cultivating trust, and just plain getting to know each other on your ongoing agenda. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or “touchy-feely” but the rewards you reap will be well worth your time.

Thanks, Tiffany!