Today’s dot was written by Addison Arendt from Minot State University’s leadership class.
Did you know that on average, adults make five excuses a day to get out of doing things?
I stubbed my toe this morning, so I am in a bad mood. I can’t start eating healthy today because I already had a cupcake. I am too tired; I will complete that task tomorrow.
Imagine if we applied this logic to everything we did in life. You accidentally spill spaghetti sauce on your shirt; well, now you might as well dump the rest of the plate on you. It sounds silly, but that is how we treat our goals. Most people do not fail because they are incapable; they fail because they wait for the perfect moment to start or give up after an imperfect one.
The truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect moment, so stop waiting for it. Do not let a bad moment turn into a bad day, bad week, or bad habit. Reset, adjust, and keep going.
Today’s dot was written by Jamie Ward from Minot State University.
As a freshman thrower for a college track and field team, there’s still a lot you need to learn. This year I learned how to do the hammer throw, and one thing my coach told me was, “Sometimes you’ll throw the hammer, and other times that hammer will throw you.”
I learned to relate this to a lot in my life, because on this same track team, I became the thrower representative/captain for our team. As someone so new to the team, it was a big thing trying to represent or lead those in my event who are older than me.
So I took what my coach told me about throwing the hammer and made it about leadership. I started to think, “Sometimes you’ll lead your followers; other times your followers will lead you.”
Leadership isn’t always about being the one with the plan; sometimes it is about learning from the people you work with so you can lead them better. I had to understand that my coaches didn’t pick me because I’m the strongest, the oldest, or the most experienced. My coaches picked me because I put in the effort, I brought the energy, I knew how to lead by example, I wasn’t scared to lead or advocate, and most importantly, I showed up. They knew I still had things to learn about being a college athlete, but they also knew that I could learn these things from the people I was leading while still actively doing what I could to lead and advocate for the other throwers on the team.
One more trip out of town to celebrate at my niece’s graduation party. Enjoy the last of the dots from the Minot State University’s leadership class.
Today’s dot was written by Jonathan Pearce.
One of the most important things a leader needs is confidence.
Whether that be confidence in yourself, decisions you make, or in your followers. Without it, your capability and actions as a leader may seem hollow or untrustworthy.
Confidence isn’t something that is gained or lost in an instance, however. You can’t magically have enough bravado to run for president, nor can an embarrassing event strip you of it. It is something that is built up and possibly torn down over time. To improve and protect your confidence, you need to put yourself in new scenarios that test your capabilities.
It could be as simple as taking a new route home or visiting a new town. Or maybe even something as complex as creating a club or organizing an event. To be a good leader, you must always be willing to venture outside of what you are comfortable doing.
You must also have the confidence that you are making the best possible choices available to you. These decisions may not always be easy ones: firing an employee, asking a club member to leave, announcing massive changes to an organization. These are things that need to be done at some point for a group to function properly, and a leader who second-guesses themselves when it comes to these decisions may be seen as less reliable.
A leader needs to have confidence; if they don’t believe in themselves, why should their followers?
Today’s dot was written by Brooklyn Haneltfrom Minot State University.
When I choose partners for collaborative assignments, I often try to pair up with peers who study hard but don’t always get grades that reflect their efforts. I have been asked before why I do this, and it is simple: effort means much more in life in every way.
I find working with individuals who are naturally smart to be challenging. I am not naturally intelligent; I struggle beyond belief behind closed doors, even if I have created the illusion of being naturally smart. In my experience, naturally smart lab and group partners in school can be exhausting and, at times, self-serving. They don’t always work well in groups, as they often find it frustrating when asked to communicate concepts, which can sometimes yield little respect and compassion, and in some cases, a lack of self-awareness of the situation.
Whereas, pairing with peers who put in the effort without always reaping the benefits has never failed me. No one leaves confused, dazed, upset, or worse: pegged with an extra task. When a collaborative group creates a nurturing environment, everyone flourishes and feels appreciated, in turn expanding our leadership skills.
In every aspect of life, grit supersedes raw intelligence. You cannot teach Albert Einstein or Issac Newton to bench 400 pounds or run a marathon with their brain. People have to want it themselves; the reps in the shadows are greatly overlooked. I would much rather receive a lower grade in a group assignment if it means making friends, respecting others, and growing leadership skills together.
Where opinions and concerns can be communicated without fear, and tasks can be selected based on strengths and skills. Greatness is never given; it is built, and I would much rather build it with those who understand the weight of work than those who only know the view from the top.
Today’s dot was written by Randon Cordeirofrom 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 Lesliefrom 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.
