April 2025 – Page 3 – leadership dots

leadership dot #4587: propose

April 10, 2025April 9, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I’ve seen many clients who feel it’s the boss’s responsibility to write the proposals and champion the changes to help their unit. But I believe the middle manager or front-line employee could (should?) advance the ideas up the chain. A key commodity for supervisors is time. Their demands pull them in so many directions that new initiatives aren’t always prioritized. By submitting a written proposal outlining needs or changes, the middle manager makes it easier for the boss to act. (And they are likely to know more nuances to make the pitch more powerful.)

I remind my clients that it is their role to propose solutions to their challenges. They may be turned down — repeatedly — but that should not be a deterrent. Outlining needs and ways to meet them is the hallmark of a good employee, and doing so in a way that saves the manager time makes a great employee.

Don’t wait for others to advocate for what you need. Write out your proposal in a compelling and cogent way and pave the way for a “yes.”

leadership dot #4586: buzzer

April 9, 2025April 8, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The NCAA Men’s Final Four semi-finals and championship were games of legend — just what a national tournament should be. In the Duke-Houston semi, Duke had a healthy lead for almost the entire game and was up by six with 34 seconds remaining — yet lost. In the final, Houston was the team ahead for all but 17 seconds — before the final minute. Then Florida ironically showed the Cougars the same final-play heartbreak they had caused Duke by taking the lead in the final 19 seconds and winning. Thrillers!

I’m sure coaches in years to come will remind their players of these outcomes as well as the importance of never giving up. It may seem daunting, but persistence until the final moment matters. Poise under immense pressure matters. Judgment and instinct matter — on the court, in the office, at home, and just about everywhere in between.

For Duke and Houston, their spectacular, #1 ranking, conference-winning season will be remembered by an increment shorter than a TV commercial. For those watching, it’s a reminder that on any given day, it’s not over until the final buzzer sounds, even if the previous 39 minutes would lead you to believe otherwise.

Worth watching the final two minutes here: Duke-Houston and Houston-Florida.

leadership dot #4585: recovery

April 8, 2025April 7, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

When I attempted to pour a Diet Coke at Quik Trip and discovered the dispenser was empty, I alerted the cashier. He apologized and said he was unable to refill it right away, but instantly gave me coupons for two free drinks in the future and said I could have any other fountain drink now if there was anything else I wanted.

While it wasn’t the immediate remedy that I hoped for, it was obvious that this situation had happened before and they were prepared to address it. It was far better than a “too bad, so sad” dismissal that occurs in many other service situations.

Things will go wrong in your organization, especially if you are in retail or a customer-facing role. Take a cue from QT and equip your team to recover quickly and turn a bad situation into a customer service save.

leadership dot #4584: hidden talent

April 7, 2025April 2, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I have a student in my business communication class who already has a degree in IT. As I am not a whiz with technology, he stepped in to assist me when I had trouble. With lightning-fast keystrokes, he was able to do everything I struggled with — it was amazing! He now strategically positions himself near the front and has become our tech guru, manning the computer for the whole class so I don’t even need to get near it. I wish I could take him on the road.

Ironically, he was hired for his job because of his computer background — but is never called upon to use it. His job is not directly IT-related, and people seem to have forgotten that he has these skills. Their department did a major software update, but he wasn’t involved. Such a missed opportunity.

It may be time to refresh your knowledge about your employees’ backgrounds and unused talents. Re-read those resumes from long ago. Ask them what other ways they could contribute. Solicit volunteers for new projects or tasks. Don’t let a gem amongst you go underutilized and underappreciated.

leadership dot #4583: suspend

April 6, 2025April 2, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The Detroit airport (DTW) features a light and sound show on the long walkway underneath the runway that connects two terminals. For most people, this is a pleasant diversion and far more interesting than a plain tunnel.

But for some, the lights and sound can trigger reactions or even seizures, and the flashing colors create sensory overload. As a result, the airport posts signs and provides a temporary stop button so that those negatively affected can pause the show and walk through without harm.

It’s a good example of the benefits of DEI programs — taking into account individual differences and needs and taking steps to make the environment more inclusive. DEI is too often confused with Affirmative Action or only race, but it’s an important perspective that makes the world for everyone. Why are people against that?

leadership dot #4582: configure

April 5, 2025April 2, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Legos have been used to make everything from life-size cars to panoramas of cities, but a new use for them may be the best of all. Lego donates bricks configured as miniature MRI machines to hospitals where they can be used to help children understand the procedure. It’s scary enough to be in the hospital, so the models relieve some of that anxiety by communicating about the process in a form that children can relate to. It may even be a welcome tool to use with adults!

Lego is primarily a game company and plastic-brick-producer. They’re not in the business of medical education or children’s health but have adapted what they do best to create a valuable resource with non-play applications. Think of how you can benefit someone else by configuring your resources in a new way.

Screenshot

leadership dot #4581: satellites

April 4, 2025April 2, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Yesterday (dot #4580) I wrote about a simple trade-off with the bottoms of my Wellies. One of the more serious trade-offs is occurring in space where the proliferation of satellites is causing orbital congestion and a concern about space debris. Today, there are over 10,000 active satellites orbiting the Earth, increasing the chance of collisions or parts falling to the ground at hypersonic speeds.

All these satellites are improving telecommunications, GPS, space exploration, and broadband connectivity — but it’s a trade-off between innovation and environmental responsibility.

There is always a trade-off. Be sure to consider what you are giving up whenever you are poised to gain.

https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/qvWZC0Aj6VfPnnQ9Fwf2c9Vz8R?domain=beautyofplanet.com

leadership dot #4580: Wellies

April 3, 2025April 2, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I have a pair of Wellies, rubber boots that I wear in the rain. They work well to keep my feet dry, but after every use, I need to dig the mud and grass out of the indentations on the bottom.

My initial thought when cleaning them was “Why do they make the bottoms full of all these nooks and crannies that just become debris collectors?” But, of course, they are there to provide traction on wet surfaces. If the bottoms were smooth and easy to clean, wearing them could become slick and dangerous.

It’s a trade-off, as are most things in life. The sooner you come to accept that, the more content you will become.

leadership dot #4579: enough

April 2, 2025April 1, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

It can be hard to stop once you get on a roll with something. One of the lessons writing my dissertation taught me was that there is a point where you need to say “enough.” Yes, there is more research I could have included, but once you make a well-crafted argument, it’s time to wrap it up.

I thought of this while working on a final report for an 8-month project I have been doing. The challenge was condensing 170 interviews, a binder full of research, and untold websites into a readable and actionable report. I could have written a book or stayed at it for another 8 months but (fortunately) there was a deadline and the need to synthesize the data into a concise report. Enough.

I see that in many other cases today. Someone has lost weight but they become obsessed with further loss and exercise almost to the point of being unhealthy. An artist refines and refines their work instead of calling it finished. A DIY-er starts with wallpaper, then adds paint, and pillows, and lamps, and art, and… Enough!

I’m not advocating for being sloppy or skimpy, but rather to realize when it is time to stop. “Done” is a relative term.

leadership dot #4578: greenest

April 1, 2025March 28, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Everyone has heard the expression “The grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” It’s easy to believe it, especially in the era of social media where people only post their shining moments and make it appear that all is well.

Mel Robbins has modified the saying to “The grass is greener where you water it.”

Think about where you have “watered.” Is it your relationships? Your family dynamics? Your health? Your career? Your finances? Your faith? Your hobby? Where you have invested time is likely better off because of it, and if there is an area that is lacking “water” it with more of your attention and time.

The grass is the greenest where you dedicate your energy.