blog

Today’s dot was written by Randon Cordeiro from Minot State University.

There’s a difference between being easy to work with and just staying quiet—and a lot of people mix those up.

When you’re in a group, it’s pretty easy not to say anything. You don’t want to start an argument, look stupid, or be wrong, so you just go along with whatever everyone else is saying. It feels like you’re helping the group move forward, but sometimes you’re actually holding it back without even realizing it.

I realized this during a group project. My group chose an idea that didn’t really make sense to me, but I didn’t speak up. I told myself it wasn’t a big deal and that we’d figure it out. But when the project didn’t turn out very well, I started thinking about what I could have done differently. I realized I had a chance to help improve it early on, and I didn’t take it. Staying quiet didn’t make me a good teammate; it made me part of the problem.

Being a good teammate doesn’t mean always agreeing. It means actually contributing. That could be sharing your ideas, asking questions, or pointing out something that might not work. Teams don’t improve when everyone agrees; they improve when people think and speak honestly.

At the same time, how you speak up matters. You don’t want to be rude or act like you know everything. It’s important to be respectful and open to other people’s ideas too. The goal isn’t to control the group—it’s to help it get better.

If you want people to trust you in a team, don’t just sit back and go along with everything. Say something when it matters. Help the group think better, not just finish faster.

Because sometimes, the biggest problem on a team isn’t someone saying the wrong thing. It’s someone not saying anything at all.

Today’s dot was written by Dalyce Leslie from Minot State University

I listened to the Hamilton soundtrack for at least an hour every day for the entirety of my sophomore year of high school. To this day, it is still one of my favorite musicals, and I relisten to it often. You could say it had a bit of an impact on me. Towards the end, there is one line that still gives me chills every single time I hear it.

“What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.”

This line comes from Alexander when he is facing death, and it causes him to take pause and question all the things he had done throughout his life, most of which were done in service of his country and the public.

I think what is so powerful about this one line is how it encourages all of us to step back and think about what we are doing right now to leave an impact. Who are we helping? What change are we inspiring? What seeds are we planting? How can our actions today lead to a better future for the generations that come after us? When we are consistently checking in with ourselves, we are making sure that the work we are producing aligns with the goals we have set.

This is important because we may never get to see the end result of the work we do. A kindergarten teacher will likely never get to meet most of their students as adults. An electrician typically won’t see more than the studs of a house they are wiring. Being a good leader means you do your small part to help a larger project, in hopes that one day, it will have a major impact on someone else.

So, what seeds will you plant?

What legacy will you leave?

Source: “The World Was Wide Enough” from Hamilton: An American Musical by Lin Manuel-Miranda, Atlantic Records, 2015.

Today’s dot was written by Tessa Galvin from Minot State University

“I’m not doing good,” a close friend and co-worker told me. His honesty surprised me. I was expecting a quick interaction, those 30-second interactions that occur daily in the Midwest, but he started talking about a predicament he found himself in due to a lapse in judgment. He thought he had more time to figure out a project, but he didn’t. He was stressed about getting it done by the time the presentation was due, but he had done everything he could in the moment. He had only recently started the job, so he was feeling like a failure.

Only after I reminded him that he had realized his mistake and reached out for help from the right people did he accept the fact that he wasn’t a failure; he had just made a mistake.

It takes courage to admit when you need help, made a mistake, or feel like you messed up majorly. Being honest with your followers builds trust and connection. The next time somebody asks how you are, consider telling the truth.

Today’s dot was written by Zach Volson from Minot State University

Every day, I walk by many of these blue emergency poles that have a button on for students to use in the case of an emergency. My leadership professor once said they are strategically placed so you can see one anywhere on campus. It’s an amazing idea to protect students. However, one day, the concept of the blue emergency poles made me think.

It is just as important that we build real connections with people on campus and around the world. Ideally, everywhere someone goes, they should know someone to feel safe and supported as this provides a strong foundation for incredible growth, but no one is born knowing thousands of people. That is why it is vital to network with every chance and opportunity provided.

The more people a person meets in their lifetime, the more people they can count on to help them in emergencies. This statement goes beyond just 911 emergencies, but also relates to scenarios in which a bad day leaves you wanting someone to talk to, a stressful situation causes you to need to ask for help, your confidence just simply needs a boost, a future job requires a reference, etc. It’s a mystery to everyone on what their next “emergency” will be.

Build relationships that matter every day, so when you need a blue emergency pole, there are people around you that you can turn to for help.

Today’s dot was written by Kyle Sandy from Minot State University’s leadership class

If your life were a movie, and people were watching up to this point, what would the audience be screaming at the screen, telling you to do?

We’ve all watched that movie where we get frustrated because something is so obvious – like don’t go in that room, tell her how you truly feel, or take the chance. From the outside, the right move feels clear. But when you’re the one in the scene, it suddenly feels uncertain.

Leadership works the same way. The best leaders aren’t the ones who always have perfect clarity; instead, they’re the ones who act on what they already know is right, even when it’s uncomfortable. Most of the time, we don’t lack answers; we lack the courage to follow through. We avoid the hard conversation, delay the decision, or play it safe because it feels easier in the moment.

If your “audience” is yelling something at you right now, chances are it’s not new information. It’s something you’ve been putting off. The difference between watching a great story and living one comes down to action. Leaders don’t ignore those moments; they take them head-on.

So, the real question is: are you watching the movie of your life with your audience, or are you making it?

Once again, I’m out of town for a few days, so enjoy some additional contributions from the LEAD 201 class of the Looyenga Leadership Center at Minot State University.

Today’s dot was written by Jabez Tuaona

Working as a barber taught me something I didn’t expect. The haircut isn’t the most important part. The person is.

It’s easy to think leadership is about being in charge or telling people what to do. But in reality, it shows up in smaller ways. In a barbershop, it shows up in how you treat every client who sits in your chair.

Early on, I focused on getting better at the technical side. Cleaner fades. Sharper lines. Faster cuts. That matters, but it’s not what builds loyalty. People don’t come back just because the cut was good. They come back because they felt respected.

Every client is different. Some want conversation. Some don’t. Some are clear about what they want; others aren’t. Paying attention to that and adjusting your approach is a form of leadership. It shows awareness. It shows you value the person, not just the service.

Consistency is what separates average from great. Giving the same effort every time, even when you’re tired or busy, builds trust. Owning your mistakes instead of making excuses builds respect. Keeping a positive attitude affects everyone around you.

None of that requires a title. It just requires intention.

Anyone can learn how to cut hair. Not everyone learns how to lead through their actions. The difference is in the small things you choose to do every day.

Hair grows back. The way you treat people doesn’t fade as quickly.