intentionality – Page 2 – leadership dots

leadership dot #4936: semiquincentennial

May 2, 2026April 30, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

One thing that surprises some visitors to the U.S. is how prolific the American flag is. Not all countries have their flag designs on mass-market merchandise or display their flags in homes and businesses, but if visitors thought the flag was prominent before, they ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

As America approaches its 250th birthday on July 4, marketers have jumped on the occasion to repackage everything they can in red, white, and blue. Cereals, candies, snacks, and beverages all have changed their product colors to capitalize on the holiday. Whole sections of patriotic-themed clothing, soft goods, decorations, and party favors are popping up in stores.

Pay attention, and you’ll find dozens of items trying to gain your dollars. Before you get swept up in the 250th commercial mania, remember what the day is celebrating: our independence from tyranny and the goal of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Spend your money on causes that help promote that, rather than on trinkets and repackaged food.

leadership dot #4931: triggered

April 20, 2026April 17, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Everyone has been in situations that created ire and where emotions rise.

The key is what happens next. You may pout or let your anger fester, causing drama as it lingers beyond the immediate interaction, or you can repress it and move on as if nothing had occurred.

What happens less frequently is taking a few minutes to reflect on what caused the emotion in the first place. What triggered your emotion — was it something that was said, or not said? Did the setting contribute to the situation? Was it the timing? Did past circumstances influence emotions in the present? What could you have done differently? What did you learn to help you the next time a similar situation occurs?

Getting past the initial drama is better than carrying it around, but don’t move on without some self-reflection. You can’t regulate what you don’t understand.

leadership dot #4904: cross purposes

March 23, 2026March 19, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Those who know me know that I am a regular blood donor, having given over 17 gallons and counting. When I donate, the Red Cross encourages me to schedule my next appointment at the donation site or immediately afterward, which I always do.

It is then frustrating when I receive emails promoting the latest giveaway, in this case, an exclusive Life is Good t-shirt, available only from March 30 to April 12. It’s not like a store where incentives can drive people to make repeat visits. Donors can only give every 8 weeks, so I am ineligible to donate during that time.

It seems that the Red Cross promotions are working at cross purposes. They want people to schedule in advance, but then they cause them to miss out on promotions by offering them only for a two-week period, while their donors are bound to an eight-week cycle. Maybe next time, people should wait to see what is offered before signing up?

Incentives are a tricky thing. They can drive behavior, but also drive people to act in ways that are counter to the desired results. Before offering inducements, consider what other implications would happen if they worked.

leadership dot #4901: firefighter

March 20, 2026March 18, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

When an organization is in crisis, the focus becomes all short-term. It’s “where can we cut?”, what change can we make today?”, and “how can I get through tomorrow?”. Leaders can become so involved in firefighting that they forego innovation.

And then it becomes a vicious circle. When leaders fail to articulate a vision of what the other side of change looks like, there is no near-term movement to achieve it. The crisis consumes all of the organizational energy, often deepening the troubles.

Even in the best of times, it’s hard to think about tomorrow amid today’s meetings and priorities. Strong leaders need to be intentional about carving out separate chunks of time to think about the future and to take preventive measures before flames erupt. Schedule your calendar as a visionary, not a firefighter.

leadership dot #4900: composition

March 19, 2026March 17, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

It’s a tricky and important job to assemble a board, committee, or task force. You try to balance demographics and pay attention to constituent representation. You need expertise, but don’t want everyone so entrenched in the status quo that they are unable to innovate. You want thinkers, but may also need “doers”. You may strive to have certain skills present, but you may also want to give new voices a seat. And you need to keep the group to a manageable number, or they’ll spend as much time finding a time to meet as they spend doing the work.

One tool to help with this task is an attribute list. I wrote about this (dot #684a) as it relates to interviewing and hiring, but it works just as well to define committee composition. Rather than picking people based on history, position, or interest, take a few moments to write out the key characteristics you are seeking in your group. You may even create a matrix, as each member will likely meet several needs (e.g., skills, demographics, etc.).

Not that a committee compiled by popularity, legacy, or random selection would necessarily be bad, but one chosen with intentionality is likely to be much stronger. Give your ad hoc “hiring” as much attention as you do permanent spots by clarifying in advance the role you are trying to fill.

leadership dot #4883: illustration

March 2, 2026February 25, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

One of my favorite teaching tools is the Magic Coloring Book. I can amaze audiences with a coloring book that alternates between showing all blank pages, all outline pages, or all fully colored pictures. While it looks like “real magic,” it is surprisingly simple to master.

I just used it when talking about creativity: “Some people think they have none, some have a little, and some consider themselves creative, right? But if you know the technique, everyone can be creative.”

I used it during orientations, urging students to become involved in college so that when they leave, their resumes and experience wouldn’t be blank or outline; rather, they’d be fully colored.

I have used it many times to demonstrate the difference between no participation (staying home), a little effort (voting), and being fully engaged (activism).

If you need a guaranteed attention-getter that can demonstrate your point with flair, consider a Magic Coloring Book. You, too, can be a magician with a purpose!

leadership dot #4882: basket

March 1, 2026February 25, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Most people want to do the right thing—if it’s easy to do.

Several Atlantic coast beaches have adopted this mantra, making it easier for beach walkers to pick up litter that collects on the shore. Communities have installed “beach trees” with plastic baskets for people to use to hold recyclables and trash they find while walking. It makes trash collecting easier and allows people to have ownership of the area. A win-win for everyone!

What behavior could you incentivize by making it easier for people to participate?

Thanks, Meg!

leadership dot #4879: decision point

February 26, 2026February 25, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I was given an assignment that I believe is short-sighted, and I find myself in that familiar dilemma, wondering whether it is worth the energy to question it. I have spoken up on many occasions, only to be “Whack-a-Moled” down with either immediate or long-term consequences. It has caused me to weigh the cost of speaking up vs. the ease of just doing what the person asked.

Many factors go into the decision — circumstances, psychological safety, the relationship with the person, the impact of the assignment, and how likely it is that feedback will be received. It’s easy to adopt a “They don’t care, so why should I?” attitude, but that ultimately erodes personal integrity as well as organizational success.

Most of the time, I opt to say something, despite the discomfort and frustration over my perspective being dismissed, but I can physically feel the conscious decision point when I make that choice. Silence rarely does any good in the long run.

leadership dot #4875: measure

February 22, 2026February 20, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I have an Argyle Sweater Page-a-Day calendar (highly recommend for daily chuckles) that came with the obligatory page of corporate identification and publisher information.

It reads:

Andrews McMeel Publishing is committed to the responsible use of natural resources and is dedicated to understanding, measuring, and reducing the impact of our products on the natural world. Recognizing the impact of plastic pollution, we have changed the easel backers on our day-to-day calendars from plastic to paper-based material. Follow our sustainability journey at [link].

I highlighted the word “measuring” because it signals that they are serious about their commitment. It’s easy to write platitudes, but the real impact comes when results are known and shared.

Do you measure things that are important to you? Beyond financials, it could include employee satisfaction, diversity initiatives, innovation, or the number of product returns. Personally, measurements may involve calories, steps, friends met for lunch, letters written, or volunteer hours. The options are limitless.

Measuring is an often overlooked and sometimes dreaded aspect of the change process, but little happens without it. Explicitly incorporate some tracking process for the things you value.

Thanks, Meg!

leadership dot #4874: peppers

February 21, 2026February 20, 2026by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

On the table at the local pizza place were two shakers of peppers: Hatch Valley Green and Four Pepper Blend. Usually, it’s a roulette of guessing and testing to see which (or whether) pepper would be best for the pie, but these jars were clearly labeled with a thermometer and “heat” rating. I could tell just by looking at them that the Four Peppers would be beyond my comfort level, but the Hatch Valley may add a welcome kick.

Here’s a hot tip: craft your labeling or instructions to preemptively answer the questions users may have, so customers don’t have to pepper your staff with questions.