Domino is a game in which players arrange domino pieces, usually squares with rounded corners and bearing from one to six dots or pips, edge to edge into long lines. When a single domino is tipped over, it causes all the others to fall in a rhythmic cascade. Using this principle, elaborate domino constructions and effects can be built, with the pieces often stacking up into an immense array of shapes, or even forming complex angular patterns. Domino is also a name for a person or thing that has an effect on others, especially a great deal of power or influence over them.
The word is of French origin, and the game itself was first recorded in Western Europe around 1750. Its precise etymology is obscure, but it may have been derived from the Italian domanda, meaning “flag” or “flagstone,” perhaps because of the way the pieces fit together and their similarity to church ornaments (the earliest dominoes were made with ebony blacks and ivory faces, resembling a priest’s cape over his surplice). It has also been suggested that it was influenced by the earlier sense of a long hooded cloak worn with a mask at carnival season or at masquerades.
The first time I saw a domino rally, it was at an elementary school in a rural setting. They would line up the masters, and then students would run to make copies. Then they would go to another class, and the process repeated itself until everyone had a copy of each piece. It was a very organized way to use a copy machine, and it got the job done in a quick and efficient manner. But it didn’t necessarily have to be a copying machine—it could be any activity that sets off a series of events with a dramatic impact.
For example, if you wake up in the morning and feel like crap, one small victory right away will drastically increase your chances of having a good day. The same goes for a domino effect, which is any high leverage action that triggers a sequence of actions. For those familiar with coding, think of it as a script: one command that initiates a whole lot of other commands.
The story of Domino is a perfect example of a domino effect. When the original CEO of Domino’s, David Brandon, was replaced by Doyle, Domino’s began listening to their customers. This included implementing a relaxed dress code and new leadership training programs, among other things. It also meant addressing customer complaints directly. By doing so, Domino’s started to see positive results in a short amount of time. This value of listening to their customers was carried on by Doyle, and the company continues to follow this policy today. The result is a company that’s recognized as a top workplace.