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 #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.

leadership dot #5030: heard

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

It’s been a while since I was on a group tour, so when I signed up for one, I expected the guide to shout information to the group like always. But in Detroit, I was pleasantly surprised to receive my own headset, which allowed me to hear the guide without straining and even let me control my volume. It made the tour much more enjoyable—and informative—since I could actually hear what was being said.

There is no need to (metaphorically) shout to your team either. Think of what tools will allow your message to actually be heard: technology, visuals, analogies, props, one-on-one, and repetition. Communication is only effective if people can receive it.

leadership dot #5029: dead

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

At one of my “nothing” lunches with friends this week, the conversation started with youth sports and morphed into a discussion of baseball bats. To me, a bat is a bat is a bat. Maybe I knew about the distinction between wood and aluminum, but at lunch I learned that there is oh so much more to them. Different lengths, weights, inner cores, and more. And the price! I had no idea that even youth bats could cost several hundred dollars!

But what surprised me the most is that bats die. After so much use, bats are considered dead and no longer suitable for use in a game. They may look normal, but players know that the bat no longer hits as it should.

Consider whether you have tools that should be declared dead. They may still be around and in use, but no longer perform at their peak. If kids see the value in upgrading a bat, maybe it’s time to consider replacing something you use to increase your effectiveness.

leadership dot #5028: this

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

Consistency is a key element of establishing both your personal and professional reputation.

If you want to be known as someone who is on top of things, you not only meet the report deadline, but you also show up on time for the parent-teacher conference. Those trying to be seen as innovative provide creative suggestions in a meeting and also experiment with fashion choices. The little things integrate to form a holistic picture of your “brand.”

A big fail in this department is the sign (below) in a fine jewelry store. Instead of being consistently high-end and image-conscious, this store negated that impression with a handwritten sign on a piece of bent cardboard. I’ve seen flea markets that give more attention to their signs.

If you send signals that you are “this” or “that,” the overriding takeaway is that you are the least desirable trait. To earn a solid reputation, you need to be “this” consistently.

Thanks, Meg!

leadership dot #5027: actionable

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

A sign at the Minute Man National Historical Park is a master class in obtaining actionable feedback. Instead of just asking for comments, the park provided a QR code for visitors to easily make submissions in three areas. The sign reads:

Minute Man National Historical Park belongs to the American people, and the National Park Service wants your feedback. Please let us know if you have identified (1) any areas that need repair; (2) any services that need improvement; or (3) any signs or other information that are negative about either past or living Americans, or that fail to emphasize the beauty, grandeur, and abundance of landscapes and other natural features.

How’s that for specific?

In a similar example, the school district task force I’m on is currently wrestling with wording for an online feedback form about proposed scenarios for facility use. The process has helped the group consider what it needs to learn, rather than just gathering opinions. It would be so much easier to say “give us your comments,” but asking about specific elements can hopefully provide insights that can advance the work.

It’s worth the time to consider what you actually want to know — and what you’ll do with information once you receive it — before deploying a generic form. Invest in the front end by articulating your questions, and you’ll save time by not having to weed through mere opinions on the back end.

Thanks, Meg!

leadership dot #5026: next turn

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

While it’s important for the leader to have a long-range vision for the organization, it’s also necessary for them to translate it into short-term next steps for those who must implement it.

Think of it as going on a trip. The leader must know the destination and the planned route to get there, but the front-line driver just wants to know whether to turn right or left at the next intersection. Progress is made, and rewards are gained, by aligning those next 2 miles in service of the larger vision.

If your staff is inexperienced, they are (metaphorically) in the driveway and don’t have the capacity to internalize the entire trip. Help them to help you achieve your end goal by giving them strategic guidance in smaller chunks that they can absorb. Allow them to focus on going in the right direction today, while you concentrate on the endgame of tomorrow.

leadership dot #5025: cadence

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

I have been very surprised by the number of people who applauded my decision to write dots only on weekdays instead of every.single.day. I really hesitated to do that—feeling like I was letting myself down more than others—but the positive commentary was unforeseen.

I think there is something to learn there—that often, we impose more burden on ourselves than necessary. Sure, you can’t tell your boss that you are no longer going to fulfill a major responsibility, but I’ll bet there are tasks or steps along the way that you put there. At home, there are likely duties you take on that others would not care if you stopped doing or did less frequently.

Everyone is so busy. It has become the chorus of our lives, recounting all the things we did and how frantic our pace is. Take a lesson from the dots and step back on something. Maybe that’s biweekly meetings instead of weekly. Ordering in every Friday instead of cooking. Quarterly reports rather than monthly. Quality doesn’t have to suffer if the cadence changes.

leadership dot #5024: calendaring

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

One of the speakers in my global communications class advised that the first thing to do when working with an international client or colleague is to add their country’s holidays to your calendar. In addition to showing respect for their culture, it helps you be mindful of times when they will likely be off and predict delivery delays due to the holiday season.

The same principle applies for internal and domestic clients. Know when board meetings and other key events occur in the organization. Understand cyclical deadlines—don’t propose something new to tax accountants in April or school teachers in August. Pay attention to filing and reporting deadlines for grants or other projects. Consider religious and cultural holidays of diverse members of your team.

The more inclusive you can make your calendar, the more likely you are to avoid missteps and surprises caused by others’ unavailability. Let your calendar reflect the world in which you operate, not just your own events.