DRAMA dots . . .

Creating engaging, effective communications!

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Chefs who work in open-kitchen restaurants, where they can see patrons' meals, tend to cook better food, according to research. Because they can see their customer’s reaction, they understand how their efforts create an enjoyable experience for other people. Their work matters. Additionally, those chefs also report more satisfaction in their jobs.

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Data gathered by Great Place to Work showed a connection between Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For and business success. Companies earned spots on Fortune’s list via employee feedback on surveys. Not surprisingly, the companies on the Fortune list regularly outperform the S&P 500. This has been the case for the past 28 years, even during economic downturns. Happy, valued employees increase a business’s profitability. And, these companies aren’t on this list by chance; they are creating an employee-friendly culture.

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In a role-playing experiment, several medical teams encountered “rudeness” by an expert. The expert insinuated that they wouldn’t last long in their roles. How do you think that impacted those teams? Researchers found that teams exposed to rudeness were more likely to make the wrong diagnosis, prescribe the wrong medications, improperly ventilate a patient, and commit a slew of other errors. Being dismissed and undervalued profoundly disrupted their performance.

All three of these blurbs demonstrate the power of seeing people and letting them know they matter.

Showing people that they are valued doesn’t require gigantic overtures or expensive investments. This can be demonstrated by remembering a colleague’s favorite candy (and gifting it to them) or by asking someone for their opinion and listening intently to their response.

As a communicator, I often talk about how to share ideas or listen better, but it’s also imperative that we use these skills to show people that we see them. Because it’s more than just telling an employee or friend that they matter; it’s how you show them that they matter to you.

How do you show the people in your life that they matter?

(Source: Mattering by Jennifer Breheny Wallace)

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EM Dash OR Hyphen?

AI has turned the em dash into a red flag. The beloved punctuation mark often signals that something has been written by AI.

But, I refuse to give it up. It’s a fabulous form of punctuation with many uses.

The em dash is not a hyphen; in fact, it’s twice as long as a hyphen. It is often used to indicate breaks in a sentence, items in a list, and datelines on news articles (example: NEW YORK — A transportation law is going into effect…).

Inserting additional information in a sentence:

She wanted a different dessert—namely, chocolate.

When you figure out what you want to do—and I know you will—give me an update about where you want to work.

The ice skater—a major perfectionist—insisted she keep trying until the routine was flawless.

Items in a list:

The campers will need to bring the following items:

—Water bottle

—Sweatshirt

—Money

Do you use the em dash? If you do, do you avoid it now because it signals something might have been written by AI?

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A MUCH-NEEDED LAUGH!

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INSPIRATION

Every Wednesday morning, Peggy Winckowski gets up at 4 a.m. and begins cooking. She prepares eight to 10 pounds of bacon, four dozen eggs, stacks of pancakes, French toast casserole, and monkey bread. By 7:15 a.m., the house is filled with hungry teenagers. They take their time eating, since it’s a late start at Bishop DuBourg, a Catholic school in southwest St. Louis.

This tradition started after Peggy’s grandson had met his friends for breakfast at a diner. He said the breakfasts his grandma prepared were way better, so the next week, they all convened at Peggy’s house. And, that was the start of the Wednesday Breakfast Club.

Unfortunately, a year after the club started, tragedy struck. Peggy’s grandson, Sam, was killed in a hit-and-run by a drunken driver. He was only 15. Peggy was beyond devastated.

After the funeral, many of the Breakfast Club members approached Peggy. Not only did they miss Sam, but now they were going to miss the Breakfast Club. Peggy told them that if they came, she would feed them.

The Breakfast Club became a way for all of them to heal and keep the connection.

“I think Sam put Breakfast Club into place so that when I lost him, I’d have 35 kids who call me Grandma Peggy,” Peggy shared with USA Today.

Years later, she still has a group of kids on Wednesday mornings. They text her the night before to give her a headcount, so she knows how much food to prepare. Alumni of the Breakfast Club often stop by when they are in town and reach out when it’s her birthday.

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While this story made me cry, it also inspired me. There are so many ways to show people that they matter! Grandma Peggy has made a huge impact on dozens of teenagers through her Wednesday Breakfast Club. May we all be inspired by Grandma Peggy and find ways to give back to our communities.

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