holidays – leadership dots

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 #4944: mothers

May 10, 2026May 8, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The musical Suffs highlights the last seven years of the 70-year struggle of the suffragists in their efforts to allow women to vote. One of the key numbers is Let Mother Vote, a plea to the men in their lives to give women the same rights and access to democracy that they enjoyed. It was a savvy way to help those not directly impacted realize that they had a role to play in the fight.

Today, I think of all the mothers who have made sacrifices — some carrying signs on the picket line, some still protesting today. I think of mothers who are engaged in public service, and those running in the upcoming elections. I think of all the mothers who have worked tirelessly to get out the vote, support candidates, staff the polls, and fulfill many of the less-glamorous roles required by the republic.

Mothers have been making sacrifices for their communities since the beginning. Today, let us appreciate the role women play and have played in helping America flourish and support them in their ongoing quest to provide the benefits of democracy to all.

leadership dot #4939: cinco

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

Today is Cinco de Mayo, and if you asked the average person about the day, I’d guess most would get two things wrong. It is not Mexican Independence Day, as many assume, but rather it celebrates the Mexican victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Secondly, the holiday is a bigger deal in the United States than it is in Mexico. Somehow, marketers of alcohol and avocados have convinced the U.S. public that today is a day to enjoy guacamole and margaritas, which really have nothing to do with the meaning behind the “holiday.”

Keep Cinco de Mayo in mind when your team or family needs an excuse to celebrate. You don’t need to limit yourself to major holidays or even “Hallmark holidays.” There is something every.single.day. that can be used as a theme to create connection and levity. Create your own reason for a toast!

leadership dot #4925: outcome

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

Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day, and it brought back memories of my visit to the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. It’s one of the most powerful and moving places I’ve visited, as it makes the horrors of the events feel as real as possible. I specifically remember a huge pile of shoes, each representing a person who lost their lives in the atrocities.

When people think about the Holocaust, many think of the gas chambers. Certainly, they were the culmination, but the annihilation did not start there. According to the World Jewish Congress, the Holocaust began with exclusion, indifference, and silence.

It’s that way with everything, both good and bad: we remember the final outcome and tend to forget all the little steps that led us there. All the decisions, actions, and inactions, those who spoke up and those voices that remained quiet. Every result is the culmination of a series of events that influence where things end up.

Commit to contributing early in the process rather than hoping someone else will represent your views or steer things in a favorable direction. It’s up to you to make a difference before the outcome is inevitable.

leadership dot #4867: puppygrams

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

It’s hard for people to resist cooing over a puppy — let alone an entire litter of them. That’s one of the Valentine’s Day options where people can make a (hefty) donation and have a 20-minute snugglefest in their office or organization. There are also options for “a couple o’ pups” or even one puppy to make an individual visit. Sign me up!

The “Puppygrams” are a fundraiser for One Tail at a Time (in Chicago), a nonprofit pet rescue organization. It’s a perfect fit for their organization — in addition to securing donations, the service helps them raise awareness and perhaps even spur an adoption or two. And they have the pups, so no financial outlay is required beyond gas for the visits.

There is also a tongue-in-cheek option to donate $10 for those who want to have an anti-Valentine. One Tail writes: “Times are tough. We might as well turn those less-than-lovey feelings into something meaningful. We’ll write the name of whoever or whatever is giving you the ick these days on a bag of dog poop or in a cat litter box. It’s a small, silly act with a big impact for rescue pets.” Again, a no-cost fundraiser for them.

Take a lesson from One Tail and craft a fundraiser that actually raises funds, rather than pre-spending the proceeds to raise the money. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Thanks, Meg!

leadership dot #4860: customized

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

It seems that everything has to be customized — and the trend has now reached Valentine’s Day. No longer is it required to send cards from an off-the-shelf box. Now people have started printing personal Valentine’s photo cards just like they do for Christmas.

I think it’s a bit over the top, but Valentine’s Day is big business. This year, the National Retail Foundation projects a record $29.1 billion in holiday spending, with 41% of people purchasing greeting cards.

So, if you’re one of those spenders or senders, it’s time to get your custom cards printed to show your love as only you can. And if you’re an organization, use the opportunity to let your clients know how much you love working with them. We could all use a bit of warmth these days.

leadership dot #3109a: naughty

December 25, 2025December 19, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

In a nod to holiday humor, the speed detector signs in our town have changed their messaging for the season. Now, instead of flashing “thank you” when you’re driving within the limit, the sign shows a green “NICE” and, my favorite, when you exceed the speed limit, instead of a generic “slow down,” you are greeted with a red “NAUGHTY.” I will confess that I speed up every time just to get a good laugh.

This adjustment in the signs costs nothing but a few moments of re-programming time, yet it adds an aura of festivity to the season. Subtle changes like this – where you intentionally consider all aspects of the environment and your messaging can add up to create a culture or mood in very effective ways.

Santa may not know if you’re naughty or nice, but your audience certainly does. Make the time to tend to the details that will put you at the top of their list.

I hope you were on the NICE list this year. Merry Christmas!

Originally published in modified form on December 19, 2025

leadership dot #4804: gifts

November 27, 2025November 25, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I love to wrap presents, and so it has become an annual tradition that I meet my sister at a hotel, halfway between our houses, and wrap all of her Christmas presents. She has kids, grandkids, November birthdays, and a host of other beneficiaries of her generosity, so there is always a lot to do. I love it!

Her husband, on the other hand, does not share my enthusiasm for wrapping. In fact, I received a note from him, thanking me for my “early Christmas present” (i.e., getting him out of the task).

On this day of Thanksgiving, all of us have something to be thankful for. Be grateful that we each make different contributions to the whole, and appreciate the gifts of others, even if they delight in the giving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

leadership dot #4779: los muertos

November 2, 2025November 1, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Today is part of the Dia de los Muertos celebration, a Mexican tradition to honor those who have died. My veterinarian acknowledged that some of the “loved ones” who have been lost were pets, and created a display for clients to remember them. Tradition believes that beloved pets will return from the beyond to visit the homes they cherished.

The “altar” was filled with pictures of all varieties of pets that have passed on: dogs and cats, of course, but also guinea pigs, hedgehogs, lizards, etc. I wasn’t expecting to see them in the display, but obviously, their lives meant enough to people that they brought in pictures to remember them.

The vet did a good job tailoring the Dia de los Muertos display to their work and their clients. Think about how you can link your organization with one of the many upcoming holidays in a way that is relevant and meaningful.

leadership dot #4777: third option

October 31, 2025October 29, 2025by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Many years ago, I was the keynote speaker for a conference banquet attended by college students. This event happened to fall on Halloween, and the announcement read: “costumes encouraged.”

This caused a dilemma for me as I couldn’t imagine giving even a light-hearted keynote in anything but professional attire, nor did I relish being the only one in “normal” clothes if everyone else was dressed up. So, I compromised and purchased a Halloween sweater that seemed to be an appropriate middle ground.

That choice reminded me of speaker Chad Littlefield’s video about finding a “third option.” He believes that there is rarely a clear dichotomy or polarized choice, even though we often frame things that way. By asking “What’s the third option?” we can explore other alternatives that may satisfy both objectives without going to one extreme or the other.

My ancient Halloween sweater was that third option for the banquet and has served me well on many occasions. Keep Chad’s query in mind when you’re faced with a problem or opposing viewpoint and see if you can’t find more treats than tricks with an agreeable third solution.