Ask Questions

We’re obsessed with finding the right answers.

Early in my career, I was great at making lists of things to do, and not so great at asking questions.

I was too focused on output and not enough on growth.

Then I started a simple reflection habit, with three simple areas:

What did we do right? The wins

It’s so easy to focus first on what broke, and I now make a conscious effort to ask myself and the team what went well. It’s about identifying strengths we can build on and celebrating small wins.

What can I do better? The growth opportunities

This is my antidote to getting defensive. I try to ask this with genuine curiosity, and sometimes “doing better” becomes eliminate or simplify. I was doing so much out of habit, not necessity.

What is in my power to act on? Where I have agency

This is crucial for me. It gets me out of complaining or waiting for someone else to “save me”. It forces me to identify my very next step, no matter how small, and I’m no longer stuck.

And after experimenting for a while, I’ve added another daily favourite question: If today were my last day on earth, would I be content with what I did?

It’s a powerful filter.

How much of our stress comes from worrying about things outside of our control vs. focusing on what’s in our power to act on?