One of the greatest dangers we face is fossilisation of our minds. Believing that what used to work will continue to do so into the future.
All successful leaders embody a mindset of constant learning.
The lessons we value most are things that we discover for ourselves. But that only happens if we look for them.
In this video I’ll cover the first of two basic questions you should always ask yourself at the end of any meeting, important phone call as well as at the end of the day, week, month and year.
Transcript
This is Rashid Kotwal.
One of the greatest dangers we face is fossilisation of our minds. Believing that what used to work will continue to do so into the future.
All successful leaders embody a mindset of constant learning.
The lessons we value most are things that we discover for ourselves. But that only happens if we look for them.
In this video I’ll cover the first of two basic questions you should always ask yourself at the end of any meeting, important phone call as well as at the end of the day, week, month and year.
The question is WWW or what went well?
Asking what went well is essential in good times because in good times we tend not to think about it. We assume that is how things are meant to go, but in reality you did stuff that provided the positive outcome.
The key is to catch yourself doing things well and understand why you succeeded. This is not just about building your self-confidence and patting yourself on the back. It’s about building your knowledge about how you went about it, so it can be replicated and codified.
Passing your knowledge down is the only way you can be free of doing that task and elevating yourself to a new level.
Asking what went well is also essential when things have gone wrong. While it’s then natural to focus on the negative, this quickly leads to blame and depression which helps no one.
Focus on what you did right and any silver linings that could help you next time.
Remember, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
It’s the lessons we learn through adversity that generally lead to the greatest growth.
Now I happen to be recording this at the end of the year which is traditionally a time of reflection.
So I encourage you to find a quiet space, think back over the year and really reflect on what went well. Make as big a list as possible. Don’t skimp. Remember, just because you do something naturally doesn’t mean it’s easy for anyone else or any less valuable.
Do the exercise and I’m sure you’ll discover insights that will not only make you feel good, but motivate you to do even better in the future.
In the next episode I’ll give you the second question that is the antidote to the question of what went wrong if you haven’t got the outcome you expected.
Look out for it.
Till next time, this is Rashid Kotwal.
And as always please leave your comments below and share this video with your friends.
