Month: July 2026

leadership dot #5013: unsaid

July 23, 2026July 22, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The Radical Candor company conducted a study that codified what we all intuitively know: “direct and respectful feedback is not the norm.” Even though leaders say they want honest communication, employees do not feel safe giving it. As a result, too much goes unsaid that could be helpful to the individual and the organization.

In addition to a culture that lacks psychological safety, people don’t have the skills to provide actionable feedback in ways that can actually be heard and absorbed by the recipient. Too often, people use mitigating language that downplays their meaning; they send a mixed message by sandwiching the correction between positives, or they are so vague that the listener doesn’t understand what needs to change.

In all my classes, from undergraduate to graduate, whether about culture, business, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, or stakeholder engagement, I always have a module on giving feedback. It is a necessary skill to deliver course corrections, and the ability to do it persuasively and with grace will help people succeed.

Feedback is not the “f-word.” It’s a data point that can help align expectations and deliver desired outcomes that benefit everyone. Practice giving clear feedback in low-stakes situations to build your confidence and proficiency for when it truly counts.

leadership dot #5012: contraditions

July 22, 2026July 21, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I’m fascinated by the seemingly contradictory passions around AI and data centers.

On one hand, the media is full of articles and predictions about the use of AI. It is the hottest topic, with endless coverage about how to use it, why it’s the next big thing, its many benefits, and how everyone needs to be prepared for AI to change how they do their work.

Next to these urgings are stories and protests about data centers. Municipalities are writing moratoriums preventing their construction in their towns. Neighbors are complaining about the noise, environmental impact, excessive use of water, and devaluation of their property.

But you can’t have it both ways. AI can’t permeate businesses, schools, and households without the infrastructure to support it, and that means data centers.

People did not (do not) want prisons, transitional housing, wastewater treatment plants, or transmission cables in their backyards either, yet concessions were made to create them and provide services that benefit the overall community. I suspect similar sacrifices will occur as municipalities wrestle with how to address the growing demand for the many facets of AI models and preserve the community’s culture and environment.

The AI genie is out of the bottle and putting it back is not an option. Now it’s time for human intelligence to create responsible guidelines for the next phase of generation and use.

leadership dot #5011: skeptical

July 21, 2026July 20, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I received an offer in the mail for a 4-night hotel stay in Orlando for $299. It’s even in my own private villa and with a $100 gift card to the Planet Hollywood restaurant.

I also received an email from someone offering to help me write and publish my book because he “genuinely sees something special in my content and career.”

I’m reminded of that old Memorex commercial where they played a song recorded on their audio tape and asked: “Is it real, or is it Memorex?” I ask myself the same question when I receive unsolicited offers that pique my interest. Maybe it’s because I have been conditioned to be skeptical, but I’m hesitant to commit to something that seems suspiciously good.

I’m not the only one filled with doubt while reading your messages. Especially in an election year, when politicians are prone to promise without any regard to the truth, it’s important that you provide sources, a way to follow up, and explanations for any claims.

It sounds good to be working on a book while poolside, but how to know whether either offer is legit.

leadership dot #5010: getting by

July 20, 2026July 19, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

It’s harder to do things when you don’t fully commit to them.

People who hate shaving don’t want to pay for premium razors, so they hate it even more when they try to shave with a cheap blade.

DIYers give up when they run into challenges trying to do projects with only basic tools.

Artists have a hard time creating professional work with cheap brushes or only free software.

Budding cooks are frustrated by recipes that require processes that could be easily done with a specialized appliance but are hard to do by hand.

Golfers who use basic clubs will likely not improve their score until they upgrade their equipment.

When you want to do something regularly, it pays to invest in the tools to do it well. What you spend in money, you will recoup in time and quality. Stop just getting by.

leadership dot #5009: no consolation

July 17, 2026July 16, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

France and England both had spectacular football (soccer) seasons. They won eight World Cup matches to reach the semi-finals, making them two of the top four teams in the sport. Unfortunately, they both lost in the semis, which is depressing enough, but now they must play another match to determine third and fourth place. This means one of the top teams in the world will end its season with two consecutive losses.

What is to be gained — other than money — by having a consolation match? Does it really matter if you are third or fourth in the world? For me, nothing about that game outweighs the sad ending of a brilliant season for the team that loses.

We think so much about the start of things, but not always about the ending. How do you help teams — not just in sports, but project teams, work groups, classes, or any prolonged effort — conclude their work gracefully? Not everyone can be in first place, but everyone can be a winner if it’s managed well.

leadership dot #5008: stay open

July 16, 2026July 15, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I have watched with great interest the road construction happening near me this summer. The crews are installing a roundabout on the main thoroughfare and have managed to keep both directions open while they do it. I’m sure that’s no small feat — or small expense — as they had to lay a temporary road to expand the shoulder for traffic, then dig it up when it was time to construct the permanent road and do it again on the other side. But the extra efforts have paid off, and the inconvenience has been minor given the scope of the project.

I think there is a parallel to communication. It’s important to keep the lanes open, even when it’s challenging to do so. Yes, it’s easier to close off any input streams and make the decision yourself, but keeping the lines of communication open is worth the effort. You may have to backtrack or create new ways of sharing your message, but it’s much better than closing off the flow entirely.

It would be easier for the workers to fully close the road and do the construction, just as it would be easier to ignore a conflict with someone and close the communication channels. But you want to keep the exchange flowing, even when it’s messy or difficult to sustain that forward motion. Do the work to keep things open.

leadership dot #5007: give support

July 15, 2026July 14, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

One of my colleagues astutely pointed out that it is easier to get riled up against something than it is to speak out for something. If things are going well, people tend to say, “Of course, I support it,” and think that showing up to demonstrate that support is unnecessary or obvious, thus giving the loud voices more air. It’s true for public meetings and organizational ones as well.

Better that we give explicit support to the ideas and issues that we believe are good, even if those are the ones in place now. Small pockets of dissent start to feel like a majority view when there is no counterbalancing narrative.

It is unfair to rely on others to be our voice and unwise to let the opposition dominate. Don’t wait until it is a heated debate to make your views known.

Thanks, Felicia!

leadership dot #5006: round 2

July 14, 2026July 8, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I am a fan of asking a candidate for a second interview. There are always concerns that arise in round 1, whether in the interview itself, in comments from others, in reference-check red flags, or in how the candidate acted during the process of arranging the interview. In round 2, there (hopefully) has been some rapport established, and you are able to have a more frank conversation.

There is nothing to lose by addressing the noted concerns. Either the candidate will relieve your worries with their answer, or you will proceed with the hiring process with eyes wide open, knowing the liabilities that you have to contend with. The same holds true by providing a forum to address the candidate’s hesitations.

Beyond the content, the candid conversation can help establish trust and vulnerability and set the tone for future interactions. It models how you will act as a supervisor, calmly addressing issues and giving the person a chance to respond, rather than letting things fester. The candidate learns about your style, and you learn how they handle feedback or approach sensitive issues. Both are key indicators of whether the relationship will be successful.

Hiring the wrong person can derail a culture and stymie your agenda. Take the time to do it right and invest in a round 2, even if it’s virtual or more casual. It’s a win no matter what you learn.

leadership dot #5005: excuses

July 13, 2026July 8, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Today’s dot was written by Addison Arendt from Minot State University’s leadership class.

Did you know that on average, adults make five excuses a day to get out of doing things?

I stubbed my toe this morning, so I am in a bad mood. I can’t start eating healthy today because I already had a cupcake. I am too tired; I will complete that task tomorrow.

Imagine if we applied this logic to everything we did in life. You accidentally spill spaghetti sauce on your shirt; well, now you might as well dump the rest of the plate on you. It sounds silly, but that is how we treat our goals. Most people do not fail because they are incapable; they fail because they wait for the perfect moment to start or give up after an imperfect one.

The truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect moment, so stop waiting for it. Do not let a bad moment turn into a bad day, bad week, or bad habit. Reset, adjust, and keep going.

leadership dot #5004: follow to lead

July 10, 2026July 8, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Today’s dot was written by Jamie Ward from Minot State University.

As a freshman thrower for a college track and field team, there’s still a lot you need to learn. This year I learned how to do the hammer throw, and one thing my coach told me was, “Sometimes you’ll throw the hammer, and other times that hammer will throw you.”

I learned to relate this to a lot in my life, because on this same track team, I became the thrower representative/captain for our team. As someone so new to the team, it was a big thing trying to represent or lead those in my event who are older than me.

So I took what my coach told me about throwing the hammer and made it about leadership. I started to think, “Sometimes you’ll lead your followers; other times your followers will lead you.”

Leadership isn’t always about being the one with the plan; sometimes it is about learning from the people you work with so you can lead them better. I had to understand that my coaches didn’t pick me because I’m the strongest, the oldest, or the most experienced. My coaches picked me because I put in the effort, I brought the energy, I knew how to lead by example, I wasn’t scared to lead or advocate, and most importantly, I showed up. They knew I still had things to learn about being a college athlete, but they also knew that I could learn these things from the people I was leading while still actively doing what I could to lead and advocate for the other throwers on the team.