communication – Page 3 – leadership dots

leadership dot #5002: grumble

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

I was in a hospital gift shop where the two volunteer clerks were engrossed in conversation about the sparseness of the vending machine outside the store. “We should be in charge of that,” said one. “It’s terrible that there is nothing for visitors to eat when the cafeteria is closed,” said another.

They were both right: the vending machine had a meager selection of non-nutritious offerings, and if it were to be the source of your only “meal,” it would be seriously lacking. But in their attempt to provide better service to the hypothetical customers, they completely ignored the one in-person customer they had. Moreover, the conversation did not include any hint of action steps, and I got the sense that they were complaining, rather than improving.

Think about your response the last time something irked you. It’s easy to post a grievance on social media, complain to a confidante, or curse to yourself, but taking steps to resolve it takes some work. Your response may be as simple as using a city’s portal to report a need or sending an email to someone who can address the issue, or it could be more involved, such as preparing a proposal for the action you recommend. But the key is to do something to make things better, rather than just grumble about it.

leadership dot #5001: trucking

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

I work with many smart people who struggle to write a resume that captures what they bring to an organization. Often, their materials focus solely on job duties rather than on who they are as people and the skills they can offer.

To help make the mental transition, I ask them to imagine that they were suddenly put in charge of a trucking company. Clearly, none of them have experience in transportation, but you can see the wheels turning (ha!) when I suggest this. While they would not know any of the nuances of the industry, they would know how to lead people, craft a vision, run a meeting, assess the culture, etc. Most of them could be quite successful in the role.

Then, I tell them to consider their resume and cover letter as if they were applying for the trucking job, highlighting their transferable and overall leadership skills. To me, the experience they bring in their field is a bonus.

Separate who you are from what you have done and promote that in a job application and interview. The work is changing so fast that organizations need to hire great people based on who can handle what comes, not who succeeded in the past.

leadership dot #4999: touch me

July 5, 2026July 4, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

This donkey at the entrance to the Detroit Museum of Art is the only piece of art that patrons are allowed to touch. It was purchased specifically as a demonstration piece to show people what happens with repeated touching — the black grooves and nuanced texture have disappeared from the spot where hundreds of people have rubbed.

The donkey is much more effective than any signs could be. It is “proof” that little touches do add up to cause irreparable damage to art, and will hopefully discourage visitors from giving in to the temptation to feel pieces in the museum.

Instead of signs that often go unread, how can you make your point in 3-D?

leadership dot #763a independence day

July 4, 2026July 3, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I wonder how the practice of calling this day the Fourth of July started.

I never hear anyone refer to it as the Twenty-fifth of December; it’s always Christmas.

People don’t say the Eleventh of September; it’s always September 11th.

It is New Year’s Day, not the First of January.

Or Valentine’s Day, not the Fourteenth of February.

Why isn’t today most commonly called Independence Day?

Think about where the emphasis falls, whether you say Independence Day vs. Fourth of July. The first helps us to remember the reason for the celebration.

Choose your words carefully and speak with intentionality. Language is a powerful tool.

Originally published in modified form on July 4, 2014

leadership dot #4993: wizardry

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

In an amazing use of technological wizardry, Delta now allows you to scan your boarding pass to receive personalized connecting gate information. It also somehow shows this information only to you, even though others may be looking at the screen. No more scanning the giant flight information boards to find your flight, or wondering which direction to walk and how much time it will take you to get there. It’s now all laid out, just for you, even in your preferred language.

Technology can be wonderful for handling complex tasks and calculating massive amounts of data, but it also has valuable applications in producing micro-results from that process. Think about how you can narrow down what information you share and target the message to just what the person wants to know.

Thanks, Meg!

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 #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 #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 #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.