Category: guest author

Today’s dot was written by Jayda Shiner from Minot State University’s leadership class

Moving away from home – whether it’s for university, a job, that someone special, or just a change of scenery – can transform who we are. When we are no longer around those same people we grew up with, we are no longer chained to their opinion or expectation of us. Instead, we are able to grow with the new experiences presented to us and learn who we truly are without external forces pushing us one way or another.

Take, for example, the high school best friend. Going through the same situation together, such as high school, brings people together, but when they are left to go their own ways, they can drift apart. At first, they promise to text constantly, visit soon, and call every week. But different circumstances change their reality, and those promises soon turn into sentimental greetings and occasional messages such as “I miss you!” or “We need to catch up soon!” While the distance can feel painful and terrifying at first, it often makes room for personal growth and new opportunities.

The same can be applied to leadership. Without realizing it, we can become stuck in the same patterns and routines, turning away from change. But where does clinging to the familiar get us? Nowhere with our desired results. Like those high school friendships, we have outgrown those people, routines, and mindsets, and now need to shed the past. By freeing ourselves from the chains of the familiar, we are able to grow and perform to our full potential, rather than cower in comfort. Though an intimidating step to take, it is necessary in a leadership role to be an effective and inspiring leader who can help themselves and others reach their full potential.

Today’s dot was written by Mikayla Altringer from Minot State University’s leadership class

As a bank teller, there are often moments of high tension. And with that, the need for speed and the necessity for precision are imperative. If you rush a transaction to shave off time, you risk a discrepancy that could hurt the bank and the customer you helped. When you are dealing with someone’s life savings, making a silly mistake isn’t an option. 

Leadership in a collaborative environment often looks like this. It’s the ability to acknowledge the “grind” and repetitive, high-pressure tasks, but also refusing to let the chaos dictate what you do.

Staying calm is not only good for yourself and the customers, but it also helps provide an anchor for your coworkers. We are a reflection of who we surround ourselves with, so approaching tasks with a focused mind shows others they can too.

Leadership isn’t always glamorous; sometimes it’s simply getting things done. It’s not about focusing on the list of things you must do, or the line of people going out the door; it’s about giving 100% to each person asking for your help. You don’t need a big office to lead; you need composure when the stakes are high and the task load is large. This will aid in maintaining customers’ trust while also keeping the team from falling apart in high-stress situations.

Today’s dot was written by Gage Olson from Minot State University’s leadership class

Balancing life, work, school, and college athletics can feel overwhelming. It can be easy to think everything is equal in importance. Every assignment, every shift, every practice, every competition, every event. When you do this, eventually something will slip through the cracks of life.

The overload doesn’t always seem obvious. Most of the time, it’s the small things that start to go first. Missed assignment, a bad practice, or just feeling exhausted from a busy day. These things build up slowly until it deeply affects your mindset and performance.

Balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about knowing what matters most in the moment. That means school comes first some days. It could also mean athletics come first on other days.

Responsibilities are hard to balance. They are like Yin and Yang. Opposites working together to achieve balance. You can’t always give 100% to everything at the same time, which is okay. Balance comes from adjusting and realizing perfection isn’t achievable, which means you should give yourself some grace.

Next time you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself this simple question. What needs my attention the most right now? I bet you’ll find the right answer.

Today’s dot was written by Presley Thompson from Minot State University’s leadership class

I’m a part of a club on my college campus called Miles for Smiles, which raises money for children with cleft lip and palate. Each year, we host fundraisers leading up to our annual walk, our final hurrah. With this, all proceeds go toward funding these life-changing surgeries.

No matter what you are doing, someone will struggle to see the bigger picture and where they fit into it. For example, we sold baked goods for $2, and while this seemed like a “pointless” fundraiser, it was one of our biggest successes. Though people often groaned at the idea of contributing in a small way, they needed to be reminded that $2 is more than nothing.

During the 2025-2026 school year, we raised over $5,000, enough to fund around 21 children’s surgeries. When people heard this, they were shocked to find that something as simple as a bake sale could have this level of impact.

But this is the point: every contribution matters.

As a leader, it is your responsibility to remind people how they make a difference. Their voice, their effort, and their willingness to contribute all add up to something even bigger than they had originally imagined.

So, contribute. Support the idea. Be part of the success.

My friend, Jim Sturm, directs the Looyenga Leadership Center at Minot State University and required his LEAD 201 leadership class to read my dots, then write their own dot as an assignment. In what has become an annual tradition, I’ll be sharing some of the results this weekend and other weekends this summer while I’m away.

Today’s dot was written by Tayton Hjelmstad

I’ve spent a lot of time behind a microphone as a public address announcer for softball games. On the surface, it looks like a solo role. You, a script, and a voice echoing across the field. But the biggest leadership lesson I’ve learned is this: even the most “individual” roles are only successful when they are deeply connected to the team.

Early on, I treated announcing like a performance. Get the names right. Keep the energy up. Do not mess up. But I realized quickly that when I focused only on myself, I missed the bigger picture. Timing cues were off. Music did not match the moment. Player intros felt flat. The reason was simple. I was not truly working with the people around me.

Leadership in a team setting starts with awareness. Who is running the scoreboard? Who is coordinating walk-up songs? Who needs a heads-up before the next inning starts? When I began communicating, really communicating, with those people, everything changed. The flow improved. The energy felt natural. The game experience became something we created together, not something I delivered alone.

Here is the practical takeaway: do not confuse your role with your impact. Your role might be clearly defined, but your impact depends on how well you connect with others. If you want to lead within a team, ask more than you assume. A quick “What do you need from me?” goes a long way. Stay one step ahead for others, not just yourself. Anticipate how your actions affect the group. Make others look good. When they succeed, the whole team wins, and so do you. The best teams do not just share tasks. They share awareness. And sometimes, the strongest leadership does not sound like a voice over a speaker. It sounds like nothing at all, because everything is running exactly how it should.

The mic isn’t the moment, the team is.

Today’s dot was written by Nate Larsen from Minot State University’s leadership class

Some players on our baseball team feel that our coach doesn’t inspire the team to win. That he doesn’t fuel them before a game to go out and compete. His long, drawn-out speeches better instill boredom and a desire for him to stop speaking. He may not be the best public speaker, but on a team with forty-eight players, why can’t one of the players be that speaker?

Forty-eight players would rather complain about how poorly one person performs, but not a single one wants to step into that role. It’s easier to blame others than to take the responsibility onto oneself, but as a leader, you have to take that step. If you feel strongly about playing with passion, don’t be afraid to share that passion with those around you.

One person can’t win the game themselves, but one person can start the rally. One person can get the team excited and moving in the right direction. Whether it’s a pre-game speech or being the one to kickstart a task, start a rally.

Today’s dot was written by Jake Anthony from Minot State University’s leadership class

I’ve played alongside many athletes who are laser-focused on the outcome—the promotion, the win, the breakthrough. But I believe real leadership lies in valuing the process just as much as the prize. Too often, we become so fixated on the destination that we overlook the growth happening in real-time.

The truth is that the journey is the development. Missed shots, grueling practices, and moments of doubt are not setbacks but stepping stones. They build resilience, sharpen discipline, and reveal our true potential. If we only measure success by the final result, we miss the transformation taking place along the way.

I caught myself in this mindset throughout my athletic career. There were days when progress felt invisible, when the effort did not seem to translate into outcomes. But with hindsight, I now see that those were the most formative moments. They demanded patience, self-reflection, and a shift in perspective. I had to learn to pause and recognize that every drill, every challenge, every quiet victory was part of a larger story.

As leaders—whether on the field, in the workplace, or in life—it’s our role to help others see the value in the process. When we acknowledge and celebrate progress, even imperfect or slow, we create a culture that values growth over instant gratification.

Do not wait for the big moment to validate your efforts. Leadership starts by recognizing the importance of the steps to get there. Take pride in the process, and you’ll not only move forward—you’ll carry the lessons with you long after the final buzzer sounds.

Today’s dot was written by Noah Iosefa from Minot State University’s leadership class

Leadership isn’t always about being in the spotlight or having the best performance. Sometimes, it’s about how you show up when things don’t go as planned. I learned this lesson the hard way when I recently injured my knee, and it threw a wrench into my plans for the upcoming season. This isn’t my first knee injury, and it hits me hard both physically and mentally. As a leader on the team, I questioned how I could continue to lead if I wasn’t able to play. But I also know that leadership isn’t just defined by what you can physically do; it’s about how you show up for others when they need you the most.

When you’re faced with adversity, your response is what sets you apart as a leader. Sure, it’s tough to sit out while my teammates continue to practice and lift, but I recognize that leadership isn’t just about leading through action. It’s about creating an environment where others feel supported, motivated, and encouraged, even while I’m faced with tough circumstances. In my case, that meant bringing energy, checking in with my teammates, and continuing to lead vocally. I had to show that, even though I’m sidelined physically, my commitment to the team and my role as a leader remain strong.

For anyone working as part of a team, the key takeaway is this: leadership goes beyond performance. It’s about emotional intelligence, resilience, and consistency. Whether you’re leading from the front or from the bench, being a positive force for your team is just as valuable. Great leaders inspire confidence and trust, even when they’re facing setbacks themselves. So, if you find yourself in a situation where you can’t lead through action, don’t underestimate the power of leading with your presence.

Leadership is about showing up and being present for your team, even when it’s tough. Your actions will speak louder than your words. Stay resilient, keep a positive mindset, and focus on the things you can do, because those are the things that truly make a leader stand out.

Today’s dot is written by Sierra Schramm from Minot State University’s leadership class

The camp I worked at this summer had a break room with a wall designated for “e-cards” (short for “encouragement cards”). The wall had an envelope for each staff member on it. Anyone on staff could write an e-card for a fellow staff member and drop it in their envelope during the week. These cards were intended to offer us support—both as employees and as people. Finding a note in your envelope after a discouraging day sometimes was the extra boost that helped you continue.

Everyone likes to be valued as a worker and person, yet sometimes the effort and contributions made by group members are unappreciated or unacknowledged. I don’t know many people who enjoy that type of work environment. Having someone take notice of you and your work AND take a few minutes to write a note of encouragement may very well demonstrate to them that they are indeed a valued member.

How hard would it be to take the initiative to encourage a co-worker, teammate, or group member? What about taking the extra step to create a place in your break room (or other common area) for the members of your organization or group to encourage one another?

A note of encouragement could make all the difference.   

Today’s dot was written by Mateo Funes from Minot State University’s leadership class

Living in five different countries teaches you more than languages – it teaches you how to translate individuals from other cultures. Communication is everything, translation is never neutral. Sometimes not their words, but their intentions: their tone, their silence, or their reactions when things don’t go as expected. Whether in Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, or the U.S., I’ve learned that individuals tend to communicate in more ways than just speaking.

Sometimes leadership requires you to listen beyond the accent, the cultural behaviors/attitudes, or the awkward silence and uncomfortable pauses – and instead tune into the meaning beyond the words: “What is this person truly trying to communicate?”

In groups, we often assume that others think like us. When we say “urgent” or “teamwork”, do we all hear and find the same meaning to those concepts? I believe that culture shapes meaning, and your meaning shapes your behavior. What might feel like disinterest might simply be humility. What feels like conflict might just be a different way of expressing your passion.

Leadership isn’t just about talking – it’s about translating. Taking the initiative to understand individuals in their context. Choosing patience over assumptions. Cultural curiosity over control.

I often find myself as the “outsider” trying to understand. On the other hand, I’ve also been the one people try to understand. My international journey has taught me that effective leadership isn’t about asserting authority – it’s about being able to translate across cultural differences, create understanding, and make others feel heard and seen when the language is unfamiliar.