April 2024 – leadership dots

leadership dot #4262: emerge

April 30, 2024April 29, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

In the movie Marry Me, math teacher Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson) frequently tells his students, “If you sit with the question long enough, the answer will find you.” I think it’s good advice far beyond hypothetical math problems.

You usually achieve better results if you allow yourself time before making a decision or delivering information. When I am contracted for a new workshop or class, I let the topic ruminate for a while. I invariably come across resources I can incorporate or think of exercises that would be appropriate for the session. Whether I am unsure what I should say in a difficult conversation, am stumped about what gift to give for a special occasion or am struggling to decide what to do — all these scenarios become easier if I give them time.

Your subconscious brain is an amazing thing. Let the question rattle around there for a bit and allow the answer to emerge without forcing it.

leadership dot #4261: beyond

April 29, 2024April 27, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The best way to have a profitable revenue stream is to have repeat customers — saving you the expense of recruiting them and minimizing the learning curve to serve them well.

Petco seems to have learned this lesson well. In addition to encouraging repeat business for food and treat purchases, the company has expanded into veterinary services, solidifying its role as a one-stop shop for pet training, food, grooming, and now health needs. It was an expensive expansion, as vets are scarce and highly paid, but it could be a smart move to trade on its brand recognition and built-in audience.

Think about what your clientele uses repeatedly — and where you could expand your services based on that as a start. Colleges that encourage students to pursue graduate degrees. Trainers that follow up with individual coaching contracts. Banks that turn the first auto loan into a mortgage customer and then an investment client.

People are overwhelmed with choices. Simplify the process and reduce their uncertainty by growing beyond what you currently provide to capture repeat business from people who already know you.

Thanks, Amy!

leadership dot #4260: story

April 28, 2024April 27, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The Foundry is a hot new(-ish) food hall and entertainment venue in St. Louis. Formerly the home of the Century Electric Company, the space has been retrofitted to house a dozen or more restaurants while preserving the foundry vibe. There are large pieces of machinery still visible and clearly the developers are playing off of the old-is-new-again feel. It is a great place that has lots of energy.

What it doesn’t have are pictures of how it used to be. I found only one photo showing the “before.” What a missed opportunity.

If you are going to capitalize on the history of your location, share the legacy on which you are building. Telling the story provides the continuity to make meaning of your efforts.

leadership dot #4259: second number

April 27, 2024April 26, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The entire time I was growing up, we had one phone number for the entire family of seven. Then, of course, cell phones came onto the scene and everyone had their own phone with a separate number. Now, carriers are encouraging people to have more than one number associated with their phone: perhaps one for business and one for personal use, maybe one for VIPs and one for general distribution, or one for what they term “no pickup” that you use when filling forms online.

Of course, there is an additional charge for this separate communication — but I suspect they will have a robust interest in the service. I could prevent people from carrying two phones around, address the needs of entrepreneurs, and help people who wear many hats distinguish their texts and calls for each purpose.

The second number option is another example of how work has evolved, and Verizon is evolving with it. Have you adjusted what you offer to accommodate the way business is conducted today? Think about whether there should be a variation in what you provide to give people more options in how they interact with your organization.

leadership dot #4258: parallels

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Yesterday’s dot (#4257) reminded people that what they know about one topic can often be applied to another. Such was the case for Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. who worked for the Department of Transportation in the 1970’s.

Davis was charged with keeping the skies safe, and his work led to the creation of the Air Marshalls program and a security protocol that evolved into what we now know as TSA. He was then asked to use that experience in a different venue and create a method of keeping the roads safe, leading to the 55 mph speed limits still in use today. Very different contexts, but I am sure his knowledge of one mode of transportation helped him develop guidelines in another.

Davis is a great example of connecting the dots — seeing parallels from one situation and applying them to another. Follow his lead and use your wisdom to advance your work today.

Source: The Daily Show: Doug Melville Shares How His Grandfather Created the TSA and Speed Limits, November 3, 2023.

leadership dot #4257: amalgam

April 25, 2024April 24, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

There was a Facebook post that reminisced about a professor who used to start solving every problem with the same dialogue.

Professor: “What’s the first step to solving any problem?”
Class: “Don’t panic.”
Professor: “And why is that?”
Class: “Because we know more than we think we do.”

While not as rote or repetitious, it’s a conversation that I have with almost every coaching client. They are faced with an issue that seems new to them, but when we break it down they have likely had a similar situation with a different context, in a different job, or at least have faced part of the issue before.

Once you are into adulthood, there is little that is 100% brand new. Even if you venture into a new hobby, skill, or job, you bring the accumulated wisdom of all your previous experiences. As the meme said: “We are all an amalgam of random information that ends up being relevant with surprising frequency.” Don’t discount that knowledge.

So, the next time you are faced with a problem, think about what you do know about it and start from there.

Source: Post by qnaributts Seguir

leadership dot #4256: 5 fingers

April 24, 2024April 23, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU) provides a handy resource on how to craft an ask to your legislator, utilizing a five-point approach:

Introduce yourself
A personal story about your issue
Why you care
Why the legislator should care
The ask

This formula could be adapted to other types of requests — of a boss, a colleague, or anyone you are trying to persuade. Set the context of why the ask is important, and most importantly, call for a specific action. It sounds simple, but too often we start with the request without sharing the story behind it. Rely on all five fingers to more effectively make your point and create the change you seek.

leadership dot #4255: reality check

April 23, 2024April 22, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Even if you don’t have a child in college this year, you’ve likely heard about the debacle with Federal financial aid. The whole system was targeted for an overhaul — forms, codes, processing — but on an unrealistic timeline. As a result, colleges still don’t have the information they need to determine financial aid awards, leaving the students who rely on knowing costs in limbo regarding their college choice. It has been a nightmare for everyone involved.

It started with good intentions — let’s make filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) easier for families — who wouldn’t agree to that? However, the deciders did not understand the complexity of the issue or have any grasp of a realistic timeline to accomplish such a project, nor did they consult with front-line people who could have enlightened them. Congress got its soundbite but the hassles trickled down from there, with implications reverberating throughout the country as decision deadlines near.

The problems with the FAFSA occurred on a national scale but are indicative of situations that happen in organizations every day. Those with authority make lofty decisions and leave others to “figure it out,” even when the parameters are impossible to meet. Promises are made — then broken — and the end-user or alleged beneficiary is left hanging.

Those at the top of the hierarchy are equipped to determine the “why” of a project but should leave the “how” and “when” to those with a deeper understanding of what is involved. Before announcing a substantial change effort, do a reality check with someone who will be involved in the implementation. It’s far better to ask and adjust upfront than to apologize for delays.

leadership dot #4254: wire

April 22, 2024April 21, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Many people would look at a pile of used wire and throw it in the Dumpster. Others see potential in the castaways and strip the plastic casing of the wire to reclaim valuable copper.

Two lessons from this analogy:

The wire can be a metaphor for developing your team. Rather than let someone go, perhaps there is a way to repurpose them in a different role. It may take time to discover what is inside but it could be worth the work to find out.
Today is Earth Day, so if you need a reminder not to throw that wire away, this is it. Separating the copper saves precious material from the landfill and salvages a resource that can be used again. So many things can be recycled or repurposed if you put in the effort.

It may be easier to discard something (or someone) but giving a second life is almost always the better option.

From useless, used wire to valuable, reclaimed copper

leadership dot #4253: 3 rules

April 21, 2024April 20, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

We’ve all heard the adage that “the customer is always right,” but if we’ve worked in a service or retail environment, we know that isn’t always the case.

Eataly, a restaurant/shopping experience in Boston, acknowledges this more realistic dynamic with a simple statement that outlines the Eataly Policy in 3 Rules:

The customer is not always right.
Eataly is not always right.
Through our differences, we create harmony.

The rules are posted prominently throughout the establishment, and I wonder what impact they have on the interaction with staff and the resolution of any disagreements. It certainly serves as a preamble to the conversation and sets the tone for dialogue instead of a one-sided perspective.

Many organizations post their mission or values statements but consider following the lead of Eataly and taking it one step further to outline how you approach each other.