Domino, also known as dominoes or bones, is a small flat rectangular block of wood, bone, or plastic that is used in games to form lines of alternating colors or to mark a total. They have from six to twelve pips, or dots. One of the most popular uses of this versatile toy is to build elaborate, mesmerizing, and sometimes dangerous constructions, called domino shows, which are performed in front of large crowds. The awe of seeing a line of hundreds or even thousands of pieces set up in careful sequence, only to be brought down with the slightest nudge from a single piece is both beautiful and hypnotic.
This same effect can be seen in the world of business and leadership, as we watch companies rise or fall based on the quality of their leadership structure. When a company’s leadership model is weak, it can have a domino effect on its employees and ultimately the entire organization. Strong leadership models can have the same effect, but they take longer to develop and implement because they have to work through the organizational hierarchy and gain the support of upper management.
We see examples of this in many different ways, from companies falling apart due to ill-advised acquisitions, to the collapse of a financial institution caused by an irresponsible board or CEO. In many cases, the effects of this leadership failure are felt by consumers and investors who are turned off and avoid the affected brands.
When a company’s leadership is strong, it can have a domino effect that helps the organization succeed in its mission and vision. A prime example of this is Domino’s pizza, who in 2009 launched a campaign with the tagline “Domino’s Turnaround.” They had made a series of missteps that hurt their brand, and they wanted to show the public that they were unafraid to admit their mistakes.
The campaign was successful, and Domino’s was able to recover from its poor reputation by taking a hard look at its leadership model. They also made changes to their company culture that helped to empower employees and improve productivity.
If you have ever watched a domino show, you probably know that it can take hours to build a single row of dominoes. But when the first piece is tipped just so, all of the other dominoes cascade down in perfect rhythm and harmony. The same can be said for your novel, if you plan and outline your scenes carefully before writing them down on the page.
If you write a story that doesn’t flow smoothly, readers will lose interest and stop reading. It’s important that your scenes logically connect, and that each scene builds up to the climax just like a set of dominoes. Get those dominoes in a row, and your readers will enjoy the smooth ride of your narrative. You can use a tool like Scrivener or an outline to help you plan out your scenes, but if you are more of a pantser and let your characters lead the way, the key is to make sure that each scene will logically impact the scenes that follow it.