Month: February 2024

leadership dot #4201: blue moons

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You may have heard the expression “once in a blue moon” which references something that occurs infrequently. Its origin is from the astrological blue moon, the second full moon to appear in a given month.

While blue moons are rare, leap years are even more uncommon. When I went to write today’s dot, I went back to see what I had written on previous leap years and realized that there have only been two of them in the 12 years I have been blogging. Contrast that with blue moons where there have been ten. Maybe we need to change the expression to “once in a leap year!”

I invite you to use your bonus day to pause for a moment to reflect on what you’d like to see happen in your life or organization before the next lunar catch-up day occurs in 2028. What’s on your bucket list that you can accomplish in the next four years? Can you become a beginner at something now and be a pro by then? Is there an experience you’d like to have that you can plan for now? Is your name going to be on a ballot in the next election cycle? Take some steps starting today to cause you to leap for joy — now, and in the leap year to come.

leadership dot #4200: goodbye

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When an employee leaves a company, there is likely some acknowledgment that the person is going. It may not be a gold watch, but a card, a cake, or a lunch is a usual way of recognizing their contributions.

The same should be true for those who work closely with your organization, even though they are not officially employees. This could be contract workers, interns, temporary staff that have been there for extended periods, on-site partners, etc. — people who are part of your team regardless of the legal personnel distinction.

A team member’s departure is a transition for everyone making a demarcation valuable to all involved. Don’t let them just leave with just a wave.

leadership dot #4199: decided

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A colleague who is new to professional life was part of a discussion about prospective plans. At the end of the conversation, she was ready to act on what had been discussed but was told not to move forward just yet. “Oh yes,” she said. “Conversations aren’t decisions. I need to get used to that.”

The distinction is important for new and seasoned professionals. Most welcome when cultures engage others in conversations but those involved need to remember that it doesn’t mean the issue has been decided. When you invite others to participate, be clear about the next steps. Having a voice doesn’t mean having a vote.

leadership dot #4198: purged

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I have a basket where I collect all my ideas for dots: newspaper clippings, pages torn out of a magazine, entertainment programs, and many scraps of paper that have scribbled thoughts on them. Over the weekend, I purged the majority of this collection, some dating back to 2013!

In some ways, it feels scandalous to toss a bin full of ideas. In another sense, it feels liberating. These were “orphan dots” — a one-off thought that never attained the completed trilogy of Idea + Lesson to Go With It + Picture — yet their volume obscured those that were viable.

Many times, I have said: “I need an idea,” even though there were hundreds of them at my fingertips. It reminded me of my closet and that age-old refrain of “I have nothing to wear,” even though there is a rack full of clothes. It also brought to mind the analogy of a banana (dot #2457) where the longer it sits, the less useful it is. Many of my notes no longer made sense, even though I once believed them to be dot-worthy.

As spring peeks around the corner, use the occasion to do a deep purge of one area where you have amassed bulk: your computer files, paper boxes lurking in your storeroom, old technology, a garage, your coat closet, or the pantry. Limited quality is more valuable than accumulated quantity.

leadership dot #4197: locker

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In large cities, there are many pick-up locations for Amazon packages, helping the company deliver more economically and the purchaser to receive their goods more quickly. The lockers didn’t make sense to me, as I wondered why people didn’t just have the packages delivered right to their door.

But where the lockers did seem like a genius idea was at an interstate truck stop. Here truckers and travelers did not have a door to deliver to and could use the pick-up location to retrieve items needed for the journey or forgotten on the trip. It would certainly incentivize people to use Amazon with the availability of this service.

You don’t have to meet your customers everywhere but consider where your audience is. Where have you been that you wished X was available? Perhaps that is where your organization should be.

leadership dot #4196: clutter

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Research has shown that one piece of graffiti or one broken window left unchecked can lead to additional decay. The same principle applies to keeping a flat surface clear.

Target has a “beauty cart” that — in theory — is available to distribute cosmetic samples. In reality, it’s a repository for everything else including things left by customers and clerks alike. The one-thing-leads-to-another principle also happens on kitchen counters, garages, mudrooms, and anywhere things can gather. If it’s a flat surface, you must actively keep it clear or clutter will soon dominate.

Diligence is required for more serious situations as well. One ethical lapse, an unchecked slur, or a skip in the process can all become the start of a pattern that is hard to stop.

Pay attention to things that disrupt the desired state — and work to maintain your boundaries. Culture and counters can get out of control quickly.

leadership dot #4195: principles

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In an interview with the Washington Post, former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan talked about how the Republican Party has changed since his time in office. “We were leading on principles and policy outcomes. This Congress is led by politics. It’s a zero-sum game with no positive outcomes or win-win,” he said. “If the animating principle of the party revolves around the personality of a man, this is the outcome you’re gonna get: policy-makers leaving, replaced by entertainers and performers, not problem-solvers.”

Of course, he was speaking about national politics, but the same principle applies to organizations. The organization as a whole takes on the characteristics of its leader, and those working for the person need to be in sync or prepared to struggle due to a misalignment of styles or values.

Even if you’re many layers removed from the person at the top, look closely at them before committing to an organization. Their ethics, temperament, and priorities will filter down to you one way or another and infuse themselves in hiring and budget decisions that will ultimately impact your work environment. Best to know their principles and policies more than just their personality.

Source: Paul Ryan: The Stakes, Washington Post Live series, February 21, 2024.

leadership dot #4194: follow

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Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the House, shared advice that his predecessor John Boehner gave him: “A leader without followers is just taking a walk.”

It’s good advice — not only for that politically tenuous position — but for anyone in a leadership role. There is so much focus on developing the qualities of leadership — decision-making, critical thinking, strategizing, change management, ethics, etc. — but it’s really followers who make leadership possible.

People choose to commit to you because of who you are and/or because of what you are trying to do. Give followers reasons to believe in both by being authentic and clear. It’s a compelling combination that will have others walking through metaphorical fire for you, rather than leaving you walk alone.

leadership dot #4193: decision-maker

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In a course on project management, author Seth Godin framed the role of a project manager in a way I had not previously considered. “The project manager’s contribution to the project is the decisions that we make, not the tasks that we perform.”

He believes that the decisions occur in two areas. The first is when to “thrash” — or explore options and possibilities. More successful projects thrash early and then decide to lock it down and begin implementation.

The second key decision is where the team spends its time and money. “The lowest cost and the highest cost are rarely the right path,” Godin says. “The middle we intelligently choose makes the project work.”

When considering who the best person is to lead an important project, heed his advice and tap the person who is your best decision-maker. Successful projects are the result of smart choices, not busy beavers.

leadership dot #4192: me

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I’ve seen a few examples lately of organizations creating displays about their teams to help others learn about their colleagues. This exercise not only helps share information but also serves as a tool for personal reflection.

Consider these questions: If you have just a minute in a staff meeting to share about yourself, what would you say? If you were asked to create an 8×11 handout with pictures, which would you choose? If you were asked to create a display reflecting on your character journey, what would you include?

Whether working together in person or remotely, everyone benefits when people learn about their colleague’s lives outside the office. Dedicate a “minute about me” in each of your staff meetings to have an individual presentation and then display the handouts, or create a gallery of collages about your team. You’ll be surprised at what you learn — both by doing the exercise, as well as reviewing others.