Month: October 2026

leadership dot #5073: three things

October 16, 2026October 21, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Here is a simple framework I recommend to my students who are working on their resumes:

The RESUME should highlight what you have done — a record of past experiences and accomplishments (more than bullets that just resemble a job description)

The COVER LETTER is designed to get employers to read the resume, and does so in two ways:

It highlights who you are, synthesizing your experiences into overall skills, personality, and your characteristics as an employee
AND it is future-focused, connecting those experiences and skills to specific characteristics the ad says the organization is looking for. (For example: “My experiences with diverse audiences and my ability to problem-solve will allow me to develop effective strategies for your new campaign.” vs. “I bring experience with diverse audiences and the ability to problem-solve.”)

You’re not writing a biography; you’re using the two documents to convey three things: What you have done, who you are, and what you could do for the organization. Don’t waste precious real estate on your cover letter rehashing verbatim what is on your resume.

leadership dot #5072: buffers

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

Some people require more time to process their reaction, determine ideas, or formulate what they are going to say. If you are one of those people, it helps to develop strategies to give yourself that extra thinking time.

Some examples include:

Ask for an agenda in advance so that you can review the materials
Keep an ongoing list of ideas so you don’t start from scratch. This could be ideas for your goals, work projects, gifts to give others, places to visit, etc. Capture your thinking as it comes up, not just when you need it.
Develop a culture where it becomes a habit to “introduce” ideas but build in gaps before you “decide” on them
Reflect on recurring events and note what to do next time through effective “lessons learned” meetings or “after action reviews”
Write out your talking points in advance of meetings or conversations
Write a proposal to intentionally craft what you want to say instead of sharing your idea verbally
Ask to circle back and continue the conversation/offer your input after you have had time to consider it

Create strategies that build in buffering systems so you have the time you need to produce your best work.

leadership dot #5071: belief cycle

October 14, 2026October 12, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

One of the most important concepts to internalize is the Belief > Action > Results cycle. So many outcomes in our personal and professional lives are first determined by what we believe.

You believe you can lose weight > so you eat healthy and exercise > and you lose weight.
You believe you are destined to be fat > so you eat junk food and stay on the couch> and you stay overweight.

You believe you can master an instrument > so you take lessons and practice > and you learn.
You believe you are too old to play > so you don’t schedule a lesson > and your prediction comes true.

You believe you can succeed as an entrepreneur > so you create a business plan and get a mentor > and you form a company.
You believe you need luck to start a business > so you just lament your circumstances > and no value is created.

The cycle is the foundation of the growth mindset mentality (where you believe you can learn or you believe your skills are fixed), and it applies to most aspects of your life. Henry Ford famously said, “If you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” Improve your outcomes by first believing you have the ability to make things better.

leadership dot #5070: adaptations

October 13, 2026October 12, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

We have all heard of Wrigley’s gum, the largest producer of chewing gum in the world.

It may seem obvious now that their gum would be popular, but in the early 1900s, William Wrigley Jr. gave it away as an incentive to buy his other products. Wrigley started by offering baking powder to encourage people to buy his soap. Then, he transitioned to selling the baking powder and offering the gum as an incentive. Finally, he realized consumers found the gum more appealing, so he changed his business again. Today, Wrigley sells its gum in 184 countries.

We can all take a lesson from Wrigley and be willing to adapt when circumstances change. Chew on the feedback and data, and if they point you in a different direction, be open to changing focus. You don’t have to stick with what you started with.

Thanks, Curt!

leadership dot #5069: mice

October 12, 2026October 9, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Today, two stories about mice.

For decades, scientists have used mice for genetic research because their biology shares many of the same genes as humans. Almost every gene found in humans so far has been found in a closely related form in mice. Of the approximately 4,000 genes studied, fewer than 10 are found in one species but not the other.* In 1902, Abbie Lathrop carefully bred the first lab mice, beginning a revolution that has utilized thousands of rodents for biological research. The small size and easy reproduction of mice have allowed scientists to study many diseases, develop genetic mutations for research, and better understand human biology.

A second type of mouse was created for computers, but it was the mouse pad, developed by Armando Fernández, that made the mouse more reliable and able to track movements accurately. Before Fernández, mice collected dust and performed intermittently. His invention provided a cheap, accessible solution, increased personal computer use, and influenced future computer and software development.

Author Charles Handy said, “It is often the little things in life which change things most and last the longest.” You don’t have to swing for the fences to have an impact. More people get on base by hitting singles than home runs.

*Source: Understanding Animal Research

leadership dot #5068: Barney

October 9, 2026October 8, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

In my class, a student asked me to explain a concept “Barney Style.” When I told him I did not know what that meant, he explained it to me in Barney Style, meaning he gave a basic, explicit answer as if Barney the Dinosaur were explaining it to kids. Ahh, now I get it!

There are times when spelling something out is the most effective way to communicate a message. I saw an example of this with clearly labeled recycling and trash bins — with both words and pictures to help people understand which receptacle was correct. This simplification works well for directions, checklists, and instructions, and, apparently, for explaining new concepts to students!

Keep the purple dinosaur in mind when crafting your message and consider whether Barney could understand what you are communicating.

leadership dot #5067: touchpoints

October 8, 2026October 7, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

People who see each other less frequently tend to skew their conversations toward the positive. Who wants to be a downer when your time together is fleeting?

Whether you are communicating with a friend, family member, colleague, or client, if you rarely interact with them, you’ll likely focus on the good things that have been happening and only give highlights (if anything) about the mediocre or bad. While this may make for a more pleasant exchange, it can also hide the true events and emotions that exist.

For the relationships you care about, ensure that you create regular touchpoints. The more frequently you have contact, the more likely the mundane will surface. It may not all be roses, but knowing about the thorns can help you provide support where needed.

leadership dot #5066: framework

October 7, 2026October 6, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I’m a big fan of the Law and Order shows and notice that they all follow a formula. The crime happens in the first minutes; one of the detectives utters a quippy line before the credits; there is always a foot chase, and the outcome is resolved in the same episode. It’s simple, but it has worked for hundreds of shows and made creator Dick Wolf very rich from syndication rights.

Having a formula or framework for more mundane tasks is a helpful tool. When you write a message that conveys bad news, begin with a buffer, then rationale, followed by the bad news, and a closing. A cover letter starts with sharing excitement, then synthesizes your strengths, explains how your skills match their needs, and finishes with a strong statement about the future. A proposal begins with context to explain why, then provides a specific recommendation, and concludes by highlighting next steps. A leadership dot introduces an idea, ties it to a lesson, and concludes with a suggested action and graphic.

Think about the underlying formula behind things you do repetitively. If you can identify the framework, everything that comes next becomes much easier.

leadership dot #5065: good girl

October 6, 2026October 5, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

To help train my new puppy, I bought a bag of training treats. The bag had 500 pieces of bacon-flavored goodness to reward her compliance with my simple commands. The treats are no bigger than a Tic-Tac, but they serve the purpose well.

As puppy owners, we know we will need many treats during the process before the puppy understands the expectations without incentives. But as supervisors, we act as if a metaphorical bag of just a couple of treats will do — not only for training, but in some cases, for the length of the person’s employment.

Recognition doesn’t have to be lofty. Create an equivalent bag of training treats and dole them out frequently. Even if your new employee is a rockstar, people like to be acknowledged as a “good girl (or boy).”

leadership dot #5064: load

October 5, 2026October 2, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

In my intercultural class, the text distinguished between high- and low-load communication, which refers to the level of mental concentration and processing required.

Intercultural communication is a clear example of a high-load exchange, as people concentrate to understand different languages, word use, and context, but many other situations demand more mental effort.

Examples include:

Being in an interview vs. attending a routine meeting
Reviewing a detailed contract compared to reviewing a proposal from a trusted staff member
Constantly monitoring a puppy or baby instead of knowing the grown ones are fine
Creating a new report vs. updating one
Doing homework in a subject that is hard for you vs. one that comes more naturally
Making decisions about where to stretch limited funds vs. having the ability to pay all your bills
Meeting with a new boss vs. having a meeting with a longtime colleague
Reading a non-fiction book vs. a novel
Planning a vacation vs. just showing up to participate in one

We think of things in terms of the time something requires, but I don’t think we give enough consideration to the mental load. Those with power, resources, and privilege are able to reduce their mental load in ways others can’t.

As you plan your own time — and need for rest — as well as when you assign responsibilities to others (both at home and work), calculate the mental load required to achieve it and plan accordingly. All time is not equal.