With massive databases capturing information about consumers, businesses are attempting to be clever in their use of the data. Although they are trying to appear knowledgeable and personal, their messages ring hollow and ineffective.
My latest examples come from my sister, who received two promotions for her “half birthday.” Come on, she hasn’t celebrated a half-birthday since she was 6-1/2! Giving half-price on a slice of cheesecake or a 20% discount on gift items is nothing more than a thinly-disguised marketing ploy.
Just because you have data, don’t be compelled to create an artificial way to use it. Sending half-birthday wishes is half-witted.
In a reversal of how it usually is, I have a client who wants to pay me in advance (in order to utilize the funds from this fiscal year). Most people would gladly accept the early paycheck, but I’m not a fan of escrow. Once the money is here, it shows up in my balance and feels like I have already been paid.
Presenting a workshop is like preparing a meal. You need to do the planning, shopping, prepping, cooking, serving, and cleaning up. The dessert is the reward at the end, and I want the check to be that course after all the hard work of presenting, not as the hors d’oeuvres.
Think about how you align your incentives. Do you distribute the rewards in close proximity to the work to earn them? Waiting too long (or going too early) minimizes the impact you are trying to achieve. Serve the dessert at the right time.
I think about when my mother would pack a picnic lunch for us to take to the beach. There were sandwiches, fruit, specific homemade cookies, drinks, Twizzlers, and chips — it was a regular meal. Today, the summer aisles are featuring “Snackleboxes”, snacks in a knockoff of a tackle box.
It’s the on-the-go version of charcuterie boards, which in themselves are pared-down versions of a full deli tray. The theme: bite-sized.
Everything seems to be brief these days. “Friends” are the other side of a social media click, instead of an enduring acquaintance with whom you spend countless hours. News is digested through ticker tapes on the bottom of a television screen or by short headlines on the phone’s feed. Forget about analysis; anything over a few sentences is deemed “TL; DR” (too long, didn’t read).
We are consuming our food, our friends, and our news in micro-bites. There is a focus on quick and now, without much thought to the long term. Think about one thing that matters to you and go deep with how you interact with it. Make a full meal. Actually talk to your friend. Read the entire article — or even two to get a broader perspective. Depth matters for the future.
In a recent workshop, I shared my enthusiasm for using a notebook to keep track of one-to-one meeting content, relevant notes, and action items from all meetings. One of the participants commented that they used a calendar for one-to-one agendas and saw it as a workable substitute.
As with all time management tools, you need to do what’s best for you, but don’t see the interchangeability of a calendar and a notebook. They are complementary, but they’re not the same. A calendar may preserve agenda items, but it’s doubtful that the content will be updated after the meeting. A notebook captures the past and focuses on the future: what needs to happen next, what follow-up is required, what agenda items are carried forward, what loose ends need revisiting, etc.
The days and months go by quickly. No matter what method you use, create a system that helps you be as future focused as possible.
To learn more about the notebook system I found so effective, click here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
Today’s dot was written by Nate Larsen from Minot State University’s leadership class
Some players on our baseball team feel that our coach doesn’t inspire the team to win. That he doesn’t fuel them before a game to go out and compete. His long, drawn-out speeches better instill boredom and a desire for him to stop speaking. He may not be the best public speaker, but on a team with forty-eight players, why can’t one of the players be that speaker?
Forty-eight players would rather complain about how poorly one person performs, but not a single one wants to step into that role. It’s easier to blame others than to take the responsibility onto oneself, but as a leader, you have to take that step. If you feel strongly about playing with passion, don’t be afraid to share that passion with those around you.
One person can’t win the game themselves, but one person can start the rally. One person can get the team excited and moving in the right direction. Whether it’s a pre-game speech or being the one to kickstart a task, start a rally.
Today’s dot was written by Jake Anthony from Minot State University’s leadership class
I’ve played alongside many athletes who are laser-focused on the outcome—the promotion, the win, the breakthrough. But I believe real leadership lies in valuing the process just as much as the prize. Too often, we become so fixated on the destination that we overlook the growth happening in real-time.
The truth is that the journey is the development. Missed shots, grueling practices, and moments of doubt are not setbacks but stepping stones. They build resilience, sharpen discipline, and reveal our true potential. If we only measure success by the final result, we miss the transformation taking place along the way.
I caught myself in this mindset throughout my athletic career. There were days when progress felt invisible, when the effort did not seem to translate into outcomes. But with hindsight, I now see that those were the most formative moments. They demanded patience, self-reflection, and a shift in perspective. I had to learn to pause and recognize that every drill, every challenge, every quiet victory was part of a larger story.
As leaders—whether on the field, in the workplace, or in life—it’s our role to help others see the value in the process. When we acknowledge and celebrate progress, even imperfect or slow, we create a culture that values growth over instant gratification.
Do not wait for the big moment to validate your efforts. Leadership starts by recognizing the importance of the steps to get there. Take pride in the process, and you’ll not only move forward—you’ll carry the lessons with you long after the final buzzer sounds.
Today’s dot was written by Noah Iosefa from Minot State University’s leadership class
Leadership isn’t always about being in the spotlight or having the best performance. Sometimes, it’s about how you show up when things don’t go as planned. I learned this lesson the hard way when I recently injured my knee, and it threw a wrench into my plans for the upcoming season. This isn’t my first knee injury, and it hits me hard both physically and mentally. As a leader on the team, I questioned how I could continue to lead if I wasn’t able to play. But I also know that leadership isn’t just defined by what you can physically do; it’s about how you show up for others when they need you the most.
When you’re faced with adversity, your response is what sets you apart as a leader. Sure, it’s tough to sit out while my teammates continue to practice and lift, but I recognize that leadership isn’t just about leading through action. It’s about creating an environment where others feel supported, motivated, and encouraged, even while I’m faced with tough circumstances. In my case, that meant bringing energy, checking in with my teammates, and continuing to lead vocally. I had to show that, even though I’m sidelined physically, my commitment to the team and my role as a leader remain strong.
For anyone working as part of a team, the key takeaway is this: leadership goes beyond performance. It’s about emotional intelligence, resilience, and consistency. Whether you’re leading from the front or from the bench, being a positive force for your team is just as valuable. Great leaders inspire confidence and trust, even when they’re facing setbacks themselves. So, if you find yourself in a situation where you can’t lead through action, don’t underestimate the power of leading with your presence.
Leadership is about showing up and being present for your team, even when it’s tough. Your actions will speak louder than your words. Stay resilient, keep a positive mindset, and focus on the things you can do, because those are the things that truly make a leader stand out.
Today’s dot is written by Sierra Schramm from Minot State University’s leadership class
The camp I worked at this summer had a break room with a wall designated for “e-cards” (short for “encouragement cards”). The wall had an envelope for each staff member on it. Anyone on staff could write an e-card for a fellow staff member and drop it in their envelope during the week. These cards were intended to offer us support—both as employees and as people. Finding a note in your envelope after a discouraging day sometimes was the extra boost that helped you continue.
Everyone likes to be valued as a worker and person, yet sometimes the effort and contributions made by group members are unappreciated or unacknowledged. I don’t know many people who enjoy that type of work environment. Having someone take notice of you and your work AND take a few minutes to write a note of encouragement may very well demonstrate to them that they are indeed a valued member.
How hard would it be to take the initiative to encourage a co-worker, teammate, or group member? What about taking the extra step to create a place in your break room (or other common area) for the members of your organization or group to encourage one another?
A note of encouragement could make all the difference.
Today’s dot was written by Mateo Funes from Minot State University’s leadership class
Living in five different countries teaches you more than languages – it teaches you how to translate individuals from other cultures. Communication is everything, translation is never neutral. Sometimes not their words, but their intentions: their tone, their silence, or their reactions when things don’t go as expected. Whether in Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, or the U.S., I’ve learned that individuals tend to communicate in more ways than just speaking.
Sometimes leadership requires you to listen beyond the accent, the cultural behaviors/attitudes, or the awkward silence and uncomfortable pauses – and instead tune into the meaning beyond the words: “What is this person truly trying to communicate?”
In groups, we often assume that others think like us. When we say “urgent” or “teamwork”, do we all hear and find the same meaning to those concepts? I believe that culture shapes meaning, and your meaning shapes your behavior. What might feel like disinterest might simply be humility. What feels like conflict might just be a different way of expressing your passion.
Leadership isn’t just about talking – it’s about translating. Taking the initiative to understand individuals in their context. Choosing patience over assumptions. Cultural curiosity over control.
I often find myself as the “outsider” trying to understand. On the other hand, I’ve also been the one people try to understand. My international journey has taught me that effective leadership isn’t about asserting authority – it’s about being able to translate across cultural differences, create understanding, and make others feel heard and seen when the language is unfamiliar.
My friend, Jim Sturm, directs the Looyenga Leadership Center at Minot State University and required his Leadership class to read my dots, then write their own dot as an assignment. For the next few days, I’ll be sharing some of the results.
Today’s dot was written by Haydn Schuler.
A few years ago, I took a trip to Yellowstone National Park, where my group and I spent time in the Upper Geyser Basin, the home of “Old Faithful.” As we walked the paths in the area, our group was met with a decision. Take the shorter and less strenuous path around the “Old Faithful” area or the longer path with slightly more terrain to navigate. The majority of our group chose the first path, while I and two others chose to do both.
On my excursion, I was presented with so many breathtaking sights, and at that moment, I didn’t realize the true beauty I had encountered. It wasn’t until I met back up with the group, we shared our photos and compared our experiences, that I realized the things they had missed out on.
Taking the shorter route often gives us the instant gratification we are looking for, but we lose out on the sustained fulfillment. Although it isn’t always fully understood at the time, by putting forth more time and effort, we inherently appreciate the outcome so much more. We have all heard the phrase “nothing good comes easily,” so stop expecting it to. Take the long way; it’s worth it.
