Month: November 2024

leadership dot #4446: meds

November 20, 2024November 19, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

It’s tempting to stop the intervention when things start going well. Some people quit their weight management program as soon as they see progress, while others resume eating out as a reward for budget improvements. Others stop setting the alarm to rise early and accomplish their goals once they have made some headway or some clients want to stop their coaching sessions after seeing a bit of improvement.

It’s akin to someone on medicine who feels great and stops taking their pills, not realizing that they feel great because they are taking their pills. They are losing weight because they are on the program or making progress on their novel because they are working on it at 5 a.m. every day.

None of us want to require interventions forever, but solidifying our habits and foundation usually takes longer than we think. There’s a reason that doctors recommend taking your full dose of medicine, even if you feel fine before then. It is healthy to acknowledge that you’re stronger with a support system. Renew those metaphorical meds!

leadership dot #4445: 1-3-1

November 19, 2024November 19, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

A student shared a model she uses when proposing something to her boss: the 1-3-1 method. Her approach is to share 1 problem, outline 3 possible solutions, and make 1 recommendation. It succinctly frames the necessary information for the decision-maker and helps her think through the point she is trying to make.

I’ve seen proposals that ramble on for pages without proposing a final solution, and I’ve seen one-paragraph versions that leave out pertinent background. Think about the 1-3-1 method to hit the bullseye — and hopefully actionable outcome.

Thanks Andrea!

leadership dot #4444: morph

November 18, 2024November 15, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The Dodo site shared a story about Carlton the pig who escaped from his house and kept eating the neighbors’ pumpkins. After apologies for the thefts, his owner asked the neighbors if they would willingly share their pumpkins after the holidays. The overwhelming response morphed into a green initiative that delivered trailers full of pumpkins to a pig rescue instead of the landfill or compost bin.

It’s a similar path to Alex’s Lemonade Stand which grew from a simple way to raise funds for cancer research to a national foundation that has raised over $300 million, the Movember movement that has leveraged growing mustaches in November to raise consciousness and $1 billion for men’s health issues, or the “small box to share books with neighbors” idea that now has sprouted over 100,000 Little Free Libraries. One person had an idea and implemented it — then it grew and grew.

Keep this in mind the next time inspiration strikes. Your good idea may be good for far more people than just you.

Thanks, Meg!

leadership dot #4443: apron

November 17, 2024November 15, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplett1 Comment

Certainly, it’s a simple thing, but this restaurant thought to put a hook outside the restroom so their employees could leave their aprons outside before using the facilities. They could have had a similar hook in the kitchen area but placing it in a public space signaled attention to detail and sanitary practices. It also demonstrated that someone had thought through the motions of their employees and tried to provide accommodations and tools for their routine needs.

Maybe it’s time you conducted a similar audit. Are you doing something in the back of the house that could benefit you by bringing it up front? Have you shadowed an employee for a day to learn what hiccups or frustrations there are with the current setup? Don’t get hung up paying attention only to the big items and letting the little opportunities slip by.

leadership dot #4442: special sauce

November 16, 2024November 15, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Have you paid attention to the items for sale in grocery stores lately? It used to be products with names of the producers — Kraft, Heinz, etc. but now the shelves are filled with restaurant brands. You can buy sauces from Chick-fil-A, Buffalo Wild Wings, Arby’s, or Subway; Rally’s “famous” french fries, Olive Garden or California Pizza Kitchen salad dressing, Taco Bell taco shells, Dunkin’ coffee, Uno’s pizza, TJIFridays Mozzarella sticks, Red Lobster biscuit mix, and so many more.

Companies are trying to leverage any advantage to stand out in a crowded sea of options and expand their revenue sources. But it seems that they are actually diluting their appeal as with over-franchising (see dot #4441). If you can get the secret sauce at Walmart, is it still special?

The temptation to reach “everyone” is powerful. Instead, stick with Seth Godin’s advice to serve the smallest viable audience. Limit your “memorable” to keep it that way.

leadership dot #4441: over expansion

November 15, 2024November 14, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

A certain food truck used to come from out of town every quarter or so. I previously waited in a long line for over 40 minutes to get their food but it was worth it. The company has expanded its franchises and now a truck visits every few weeks. When I went there yesterday, there was no line at all.

The same is true of my favorite restaurant in Chicagoland. Part of what made it special was the buzz of people. You knew there would be lines both in person and in the drive-thru but that was part of the experience. Earlier this week, I walked right up to the counter, perhaps because they have also focused on franchising and now have outlets in most of the suburbs.

The allure of “more” is tempting but it’s also a paradox. Often, the more valuable product or service is the one that isn’t for everyone or isn’t available everywhere. If you are expanding your reach, evaluate what you are giving up as well as what you may be getting.

leadership dot #4440: carpenter

November 14, 2024November 11, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Allison Breininger’s advice about “caring for the caregivers” seems applicable to many broader situations. She notes that when a tragic event happens, people tend to offer help and respond soon after learning about it, but the real need comes in later when the shock has worn off and loneliness sets in.

She uses the analogy of firefighters and carpenters: Firefighters arrive when a house is burning down; carpenters come when the house is ready to be rebuilt. While firefighters are necessary and important, Breininger urges people to act like a carpenter and offer help after others have moved on.

This advice could apply whether the event is a health crisis, death, family emergency, job loss, natural disaster — or even post-election trauma. Everyone jumps in while the news is fresh, but meaningful support is needed after the initial hubbub has died down. Keep your emotional toolkit handy to help others rebuild their strength.

Source: Caring for the Caregivers by Erica Finamore, Real Simple, November 2024

leadership dot #4439: sync

November 13, 2024November 11, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplett1 Comment

I was having some trouble with synching between my iPhone and Mac so I called Apple Support for assistance. I spoke with an advisor who tried many, many things — to no avail. Through it all, she was delightful and kept apologizing for the delays, but after 90 minutes she relented and called in a Senior Advisor.

It took him about 5 minutes to get a remote connection and understand my problem — and then literally 2 minutes to fix it. Problem solved! After the farewell pleasantries, the total call was 9 minutes.

There is benefit in having enough grit to continually pursue a problem and seek a solution without giving up, but there is also merit in knowing when to ask for help. The wise person is in sync with what is appropriate for that moment.

leadership dot #4438: cloud

November 12, 2024November 11, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

It has been a week since the election and during that time a lot of “silver-lining it” has been going on. It’s a term coined by author/researcher Brené Brown to describe situations of sympathy instead of empathy. People who are trying to be comforting put a silver lining around the issue, often starting with the phrase “At least…” At least you won those down-ballot races. At least it’s only for four years. At least voters still approved some pro-choice referendums, etc.

There is probably a time and place for “silver-lining it” but I don’t think it belongs in close proximity to the event itself. Sometimes, people need to feel their disappointment and take some time to be sad rather than being cajoled into looking on the bright side right away. It goes back to my dot #4384 about the three choices in an encounter: do people want help, a hug, or to be heard? Sometimes, they want others to acknowledge the cloud rather than try to make the sun shine.

Watch the 3-minute video on sympathy vs. empathy here.

leadership dot #4437: only

November 11, 2024November 10, 2024by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Before the winds came and made my tree bare, one leaf turned red among the remaining branches of green. Just one on the whole tree. It stood out not only for its vibrancy but also for its uniqueness.

That leaf can be a metaphor for how we sometimes feel – the only one who sees the perspective we do, the lone dissenting voice on a topic, or the only person to volunteer. While being “the only” can be very lonely, it can also be a call to lead. Someone has to take that first step or have the courage to begin the conversation.

Never let those around you dull your colors. You can be that red leaf and start the transformation.