August 2026 – leadership dots

leadership dot #5040: in stages

August 31, 2026August 28, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The Detroit Riverwalk features 5 miles of amazing — a free carousel, public restrooms, biking paths, greenery, places to rest and eat, and beautiful views of the river and Canada. It has been voted the #1 riverwalk in America for three years in a row…

…and, it’s not finished. In between the lovely landscapes, vacant lots, rundown buildings, and abandoned warehouses still remain. It’s a stark reminder of what “before” looked like on much of the banks.

Detroit could have waited until it had the funds to acquire all the property and perform the transformation, but, of course, it’s much better that they made improvements in stages. Not only does it provide present-day recreation for residents, but the visible progress creates momentum that can spur on future developments.

Are you waiting to complete your “riverwalk” until conditions are perfect, or are you following Detroit’s example to show incremental success? It’s almost always better to get started.

leadership dot #5039: welcoming

August 28, 2026August 27, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Going to the dentist can be scary, especially for a child. If they have a bad experience there, it could cause anxiety at visits for years to come.

Our community health center has taken extra steps to ensure that the pediatric dentistry wing is as child-friendly and welcoming as possible. Fun stuffed animals line the hallways. The chairs are bright lime. The walls have murals. Toys are available to comfort children while the dentist works. Television monitors on the ceiling keep the patient distracted with cartoons. The entire environment creates an experience that says “fun” rather than “scary.”

Your environment plays a critical role in setting the tone for the kind of interaction you seek. Whether in your office or home, pay attention to what your walls, furniture, colors, and arrangements say about you, and make sure the setting aligns with your intended meaning.

leadership dot #5038: cut above

August 27, 2026August 26, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Being the office supply junkie that I am, I purchased a pair of ridiculously priced scissors. (But they are so cute!) With the package came the following note:

“Every day, we work hard to design and create enduring, unlikely objects that inspire wonder, spark joy, and hopefully even brighten your day. We hope that the items accompanying this letter do just that. Thank you for giving our creations a chance to become a lasting part of your life.”

This message was printed on a business card-sized piece of paper—nothing fancy—but it carried a sentiment that conveys pride I don’t often feel from other purchases. It made me glad that I invested in their product, and yes, the scissors do make me smile.

Think about how you can include a note that creates a connection with your buyer. There is the product or service—and then there is the story that goes with it. Make an impact by sharing that tale, too.

leadership dot #5037: curating

August 26, 2026August 25, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I am teaching a class that is new to me. I was given a previous syllabus and a textbook, but no materials or guidance on what will be covered in the multiple class sessions.

So, I have been gathering relevant content for the past several weeks. Some came from the text; other exercises or content came from previous classes, another book, a friend in the Peace Corps, work with the school district, Harvard’s newsletter, a creativity game, and even the students’ own papers. Gathered as a whole, I believe it will provide a meaningful experience for the wide range of students taking the course.

But I never could have assembled this material all at once. It was amassed through a process of incubation, curation, research, and organization that occurred over time.

Too often, people are paralyzed by the magnitude or scope of a big project and procrastinate on starting it, when the best (only?) thing to do is begin. Thinking about it is a step in the right direction as ideas can develop, but acting on the project piece by piece usually yields a better outcome than a rushed job near the deadline.

Don’t underestimate the power of slow but steady curation. You can assemble the puzzle if you have collected enough of the pieces.

leadership dot #5036: stress test

August 25, 2026August 25, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

You don’t know the true strength of your system until it is tested under stress.

A process may seem to be working well, but only because someone is putting in extra time. The relationship may seem to be compatible, but only because there hasn’t been cause for conflict. The budget may seem adequate, but only because no emergency expenditure has been required.

Don’t assume that smooth operating will continue during the extraordinary. Stress can lead to either resilience or stress fractures. Test the process in advance to prepare it for the inevitable strains.

Thanks, Brian!

leadership dot #5035: say it

August 24, 2026August 20, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Whether from fear, overthinking, or uncertainty, people sometimes let thoughts rattle around in their minds without expressing them. These nuggets can turn into full-fledged stories that drive our behaviors, inhibit actions, and cause a lot of angst.

The solution to carrying that weight in our minds is to follow a simple mantra: Out of head to out of mouth. If we give voice to worries, doubts, questions, or unknowns, we may find hope of resolving the issues. Clarifying situations with others can relieve us of second-guessing their intent. Expressing our concerns can provide additional information that alleviates our fears or at least lets us know where we stand. Being vulnerable enough to share our worry may yield the necessary support.

People are not mind readers. While you may hesitate, speaking what is heavy on your mind is the best (only?) chance to effectively stop the continuous loop in your own head. Out of head to out of mouth. Be brave enough to do it.

leadership dot #5034: reframed

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

There’s a new trend where people put frames around their flat-screen televisions in an attempt to make them more aesthetically pleasing. The frame allegedly elevates the look and makes the screen feel more like a work of art than technology stuck on the wall.

A similar philosophy was at play at the Belle Isle Aquarium in Detroit. Architect Albert Kahn designed the facility so that the tanks were positioned like art hanging on a gallery wall “to engage audiences in the grandeur of both the building and the incredible life within it.” The fish were the same as elsewhere, but the way they were displayed created a unique feel in the aquarium.

Think about where a frame could elevate your surroundings. Take your children’s artwork off the refrigerator and turn it into a gallery. Dig milestone documents out of the archives and create a historical display. Frame some important signs instead of just hanging paper. How you frame your message can reframe how it is received.

leadership dot #5033: a new use

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

If you’ve ever been in a store that sells Crocs, you know the Jibbitz used to decorate them have become an integral accessory. Little plastic add-ons come in every shape and style imaginable, letting people personalize their shoes in a way that is impossible with other footwear.

I hadn’t seen them anywhere besides shoes, but recently I have seen notebooks and lunch boxes designed to hold Jibbitz or their knockoffs. That makes sense, since many kids have plenty of them, and the ability to make their items unique is more appealing than generic products.

Jibbitz wasn’t designed by Crocs, though. A mom realized that colorful materials could be attached to the holes in the shoes, and a business was born. (Crocs later purchased the business for $10 million.) Now other companies are capitalizing on Jibbitz’ pervasiveness to boost their bottom lines.

Take a lesson from them and consider whether someone else has created something that could benefit your organization. You don’t need to be the inventor of everything — just the one who can implement it in a new way.

leadership dot #5032: engraved

August 19, 2026August 17, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

While some people like the public and permanent nature of plaques and trophies, I have never been one to value them. And apparently, I’m not the only one.

Our thrift store has a whole shelf of donated trophies. I donated a stack of wooden plaque backings (and recycled the engraved metal fronts) from plaques that no longer had meaning. I imagine the landfills are full of more of them, plus medals, ribbons, and other awards. And as participation trophies proliferate, I suspect that the fixtures lose significance more quickly than hard-earned recognition.

Personalized acknowledgments have far more value than generic plaques or statues. Instead of adding to the clutter, take the time to provide meaningful recognition. I’ve been preaching this forever (see dot #4!!), but the small tokens that show you know someone have a far greater impact than anything engraved.

leadership dot #5031: exploration

August 18, 2026August 17, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

We can dread giving feedback when we think of it as a statement we must deliver. Another approach is to ask questions and see the exchange as an opportunity to learn.

You could start with:

What’s your assessment of how ____ turned out?
If you were to do this project again, what would you do differently?
What did you learn from this process?
It would have been better if only….
Have you thought about….?
Did this outcome meet your expectations?

By asking questions, you turn one-way communication into a conversation where you not only address the product, but also help the other person take ownership of the process and build analytical skills and self-awareness.

The next time you need to give feedback, approach it as an exploration rather than a declaration.