Author: leadership dots by dr. beth triplett

I'm the chief connector at leadership dots where I serve as "the string" for individuals and organizations. Like stringing pearls together to make a necklace, "being the string" is an intentional way of thinking and behaving – making linkages between things that otherwise appear random or unconnected – whether that be supervising a staff, completing a dissertation or advancing a project in the workplace. I share daily leadership dots on my blog to provide examples of “the string” in action. I use the string philosophy through coaching, consulting and teaching to help others build capacity in themselves and their organizations. I craft analogies and metaphors that help people comprehend complex topics and understand their role in the system. My favorite work involves helping those new to supervision or newly promoted supervisors build confidence and learn the skills necessary to effectively lead their team.

leadership dot #4981: supportive

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

A colleague was on the receiving end of some bad news at work. Her boss called her when he heard, but instead of instantly jumping into a conversation about it, he asked: “Talk or space?”

It’s a simple question, but one packed with powerful understanding. Some people want to process aloud right away. Others want to be left alone to let things sink in and to handle their emotions privately. By asking in shorthand, you can quickly assess a person’s preference and either take a seat or close the door on your way out.

Don’t assume that everyone wants to talk things through. If your goal is to be supportive, start by asking what that looks like.

leadership dot #4980: put out

June 15, 2026June 13, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The student speaker at my niece’s graduation made an insightful comment that has been noodling around in my head since I heard it. Ben Ryan of Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis said:

“I spent a lot of time asking myself who I was, eventually realizing that my best answer was ‘I don’t really know...So, instead of looking inward at something I didn’t understand, I began to pay more attention to what I was putting out. I started talking to the lunchroom staff every day when I got my lunch, really trying to connect with my teachers, having conversations with people that I would normally just walk past…What these small gestures made me realize is that we are what we put out. You are the people you surround yourself with. You are the stranger you start a conversation with in class. You are the person you smile at in the halls. You are the lunch server you tell to have a good day. What you put out is what you will become.”

I like this concept for its ease of implementation. Everyone can “put out” kindness and connection, and I think Ben is right that it benefits not only the person who receives it, but the giver as well.

Pay attention to what you “put out” today and let it reflect the person you wish to become.

leadership dot #4979: failures

June 14, 2026June 13, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I ordered a pair of Keds, and this is how they arrived: the box was torn and bent, one shoe was unlaced, and plastic bags were at the bottom of the box. They had obviously been returned — and also obviously had failed the quality inspection process.

It would be a perfect prop for a training seminar on the proper process for handling returns. Someone might not think it matters, but these shoes did not even look new and definitely could not be given as a gift.

If you have something that goes wrong — a bungled return, a misprinted piece, a customer complaint, or a defective product — save the evidence for future onboarding or training. Seeing the error is much more powerful than hearing about it.

leadership dot #4978: so yesterday

June 13, 2026June 11, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

This summer, Dunkin’ introduced the Barbie Sip Spotlight, a drink with pink strawberry foam. If this beverage had been promoted two years ago, when everything Barbie was everywhere, it would have been a great tie-in to the movie. But today? It seems so yesterday.

Timing of everything — your advertisements, your request for help, your proposals, or your news about change — makes all the difference in how it is received. Consider it one of the most important elements in your messaging, and ensure that your communication lands in the spotlight, not after the show has ended.

Thanks, Meg!

Screenshot

leadership dot #4977: focus

June 12, 2026June 11, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Summer is often the time for planning and retreats, and these gatherings frequently result in brainstorming and a host of new ideas to implement in the future. While innovation is an important and necessary function, it can lead to a diffusion of energy as teams want to “focus” on a host of new programs that come from the sessions.

It can be hard to focus on a single key priority, but going deep offers many benefits. It’s likely that concentrating on a single area will yield more quantifiable outcomes, which in turn allow for richer storytelling and greater impact. A narrow focus allows for greater accountability as well, with no hiding behind doing a little on several priorities. It’s stronger if one thing is accomplished rather than bits of many.

Picking one thing to be the focus for the short term is hard. Many things are important, and the temptation is great to address several goals at once. Resist and go deep instead.

leadership dot #4976: weave

June 11, 2026June 10, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

A colleague is known as the go-to person at her job, and someone else expressed envy at how she knew people from so many different departments. My colleague explained that this just didn’t happen; she intentionally worked to build relationships.

It’s a valuable skill for both your professional and personal lives.

Get up from that desk. Have lunch with other people. Talk in person when possible. Take that extra few minutes to learn about others’ lives, whether you are in person or virtual. Interact outside your narrow department or bubble. Remember details about those you meet. Offer help.

There are many ways to cultivate relationships, but all take intentional effort. We often gloss over the connection in favor of efficiency, but those relationships can become invaluable when you need something above and beyond. They also make the workplace much more pleasant!

Relationships take intentionality to create, but the personal and professional rewards far outweigh the effort. Start today to weave your web of connections.

leadership dot #4975: make sense

June 10, 2026June 9, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

On a recent episode of Law and Order, the detectives were interrogating a suspect. They outlined the evidence that seemed to point to his guilt, and, naturally, the suspect claimed that he did not do it.

“Then, make it make sense,” said the detective.

I think it’s a mantra for what all of us want — that the events around us have some logical basis and there is a rational reason for why things are done as they are. Your employees want this when a new policy is introduced. Your kids want this when you have demands they must meet. Your friends want this when you cancel multiple gatherings with them. You want this when listening to politicians explain why they voted as they did.

People can tolerate much more when they understand the “why” behind a decision. Work to “make it make sense” for others.

leadership dot #4974: carry yourself

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

I’ve recently been asked questions that revolve around how to handle being a new supervisor when it seems awkward: you suddenly are the boss of someone who was your colleague, or you’re supervising someone who applied for the position you are now in.

My advice is to act as if it is not awkward. How you carry yourself sets the tone for the culture and future interactions. Act like the boss, including your body language, how you dress, the hours you keep, and the tasks you perform. Be clear about expectations for the group—it’s a new day, and it’s time to reset. You can orchestrate this by listening and then outlining the new rules of engagement.

I also recommend giving an unapologetic “no” the first time it is warranted. People need to understand that just because they were your former peer, things are different, and the relationship has changed. Your main obligation now is to your new peers and the larger organization, rather than to your former colleagues, and this will inevitably entail some unpopular decisions. Helping set the context for this early will aid when the difficult time comes.

You were appointed to the position over the others because of some characteristics or skills leaders saw in you. Put those to work and be the leader you were chosen to be.

leadership dot #4973: proofread

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

A colleague shared a document with me that contained a typo. When I pointed it out to him, he said, “I can’t believe I missed that. I’ve looked at the page so many times.”

I think he missed it precisely because he looked at it so many times. Once we review something over and over, we tend to see what is supposed to be there, rather than what is.

Three workarounds for the important stuff: either have someone else look at it, proofread it from the bottom up, or read it aloud. Any of those strategies can help you catch mistakes that disappear from overexposure and keep the obvious from becoming invisible.

leadership dot #4972: assets

June 7, 2026June 5, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Postcards from travel locations have always served two purposes: to let others know they are missed, and to entice people to visit the destination. Barcelona, Spain, has made the city even more tempting by adding a QR code to postcards sold there. Now, not only do recipients see the beautiful photo on the front, but they can also see “Barcelona in motion” by scanning the code on the back. It’s free marketing for them.

What print piece do you have that could be expanded by adding a QR code? Manufacturers could demonstrate the furniture assembly process rather than relying on cryptic instructions. Schools could add virtual tours to receipts for guests’ bookstore mail orders. Puppy food could include a QR code with training tips.

Put your assets in motion and make them easily accessible to others.