Category: Personal Development

Personal Review Framework – My Version of an Introduction

~ Tim Pritchett ~ Leave a comment

Self-reflection is an essential ingredient for personal and professional growth. Making the intentional decision to slow down… quiet down, and consider your circumstances, the things you’ve learned, and what and how you want things to be different can reveal more than you imagine. I have a series of questions I use that I found in an HBR article entitled, not surprisingly, “How to Create Your Own ‘Year in Review.'” I’ve modified how I use the questions and customized them for my conversations.

I use five questions for a weekly review and 10 additional questions for a monthly review. To help keep me aware (and to supplement my flagging memory), I keep a list of “Week in Review” comments in my journal of noteworthy events, outcomes, changes, etc. These journal entries help inform my weekly review. The weekly review helps inform the monthly review. Each piece stacks on the next. I’ve also used some of these questions in 1:1 meetings with people and received some insightful results.

As with anything, honesty is the key to the effectiveness of these questions and this exercise. Don’t give answers that make you feel good or skirt around an area that needs attention. Acknowledge it, own it, and work on it.

Also, sometimes, to get real answers, bring in someone you trust. Someone who will speak the truth in love, someone who can point out your blind spots, and someone who wants to see and help you grow and improve.

Feel free to download and use this framework as it is or adapt it to suit your needs. Ready? Ok – let’s go.

Weekly Review Questions:

  • WQ1: When (or What) have I learned the most this week?
    • Book looking for the lessons you’ve encountered and how that can shape how you act.
  • WQ2: What do I feel most proud of?
    • You do more good than you realize. Also, developing the muscle to be encouraged in (and by) yourself is valuable. The world can get loud at telling you you don’t measure up. How do you respond?
  • WQ3: Who has helped me be at my best?
    • Someone, somehow, somewhere, helped you this week. Who was that? How can you express appreciation for their contribution?
  • WQ4: How have my strengths helped me succeed?
    • This question helps you focus on two things – your strengths and your successes.  You need to be prepared – even if just for yourself – to know what and how to articulate both.
  • WQ5: What’s the one thing I wish I’d done differently?
    • Thinking through these better equip you the next time you encounter a similar situation. Without any reflection, the same instinct will probably lead to your reaction again. Stephen Covey is famous for pointing out the idea of a moment between a “stimulus and a response,” where a person can choose how they respond.
    • Is that speaking up? Staying quiet? Putting in the work to be prepared? Dedicating the time to rest?

Monthly Review/1:1 Questions

  • MQ1: What three words would I use to describe this last month?
    • Start with a high-level summary. Over time, it’s interesting to see how these words can change.
    • The answers to your weekly in-review questions and notes help you distinguish between the month and this moment. The month may have been great, but this moment may be a train wreck. Avoid the temptation to confuse a moment with a period of time.
    • This helps increase and broaden your perspective and helps to set the stage for the following questions.
  • MQ2: What have I found most fulfilling in the last month? What was the most frustrating?
    • Understanding what brought you joy and what caused stress can help you determine where your energy is being spent, what things you should double down on, and what areas need adjustment.
  • MQ3: Where was I best last month?
    • Recall when everything aligned for you – your work, values, energy, and skills. What were you working on? What contributed to the value of this moment and the fulfillment you experienced?
  • MQ4: What confidence gremlins (beliefs that hold you back) have gotten in my way this month?
    • Often, this is one of the most valuable questions for me. I continue to quiet the internal monologue and narrative of how I’m doing, my weaknesses, etc. I marvel at the people who say they don’t have that voice going off in their heads.
    • Understanding limiting beliefs is the first step to overcoming them. Additionally, understanding if my thinking is real or true is essential. My imagination can be, unfortunately, creative at times.
    • When did self-doubt start to creep in? Why?
    • How did these thoughts impact my decisions or actions?
  • MQ5: What’s the most useful thing I’ve read, watched, or listened to over the last month?
    • What are you learning, and where are you learning? A book? Podcast? Class? A conversation?
    • What is impacting your thinking and actions?
    • Why did this resonate with you? How did it influence you? How can it influence others? Who else will this resonate with?
  • MQ6: What is one learning goal I will make progress on in the coming month?
    • What topic, tool, or skill do you want to improve on? Do you want to figure out Pivot Tables in Excel? Learn to play guitar? The good news is that there are a ton of resources and people who can help you in these areas.
    • Create a specific and actionable goal to increase your understanding or skill.
    • Be clear about what success would look like and feel like for you.
    • Celebrate even the small wins you go through on this journey.
  • MQ7: What is one habit I will commit to?
    • What is one habit that aligns with your values or goals? A new morning routine that includes journaling? Committing to regular exercise?
    • I like this quote from James Clear:

Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity. This is one reason why meaningful change does not require radical change.

Small habits can make a meaningful difference by providing evidence of a new identity. And if a change is meaningful, it actually is big. That’s the paradox of making small improvements.

  • MQ8: Who is one person I will have a curious conversation with?
    • The original context of this question was related to a career conversation – Who has insight, experience, or expertise that you admire? For the price of a cup of coffee, you can enter into an amazing conversation and (re)establish a relationship.
    • I like this because it also motivates me, especially when I need to talk to someone I may not want to because the conversation is hard or I need to seek forgiveness and/or repair a relationship that has been damaged. This can push me out of my comfort zone.
    • Either way, be specific about your intention.
  • MQ9: What is one way I can support someone else this month?
    • How can you help someone else’s growth or success? Offer to be a mentor? Share resources? Be a good listener? You have more to offer than you probably realize.
  • MQ10: What is one mistake I won’t make again?
    • “I’ll never do that again.” Great! What is that?
    • Mistakes are great opportunities to learn. Take advantage of that opportunity and that lesson.
    • What will you do differently next time you encounter a similar situation?

I’ve found a regular review like this tremendously valuable. It’s not just about looking back. Instead, it’s about using reflections and the insights discovered to help move you forward with purpose. Considering questions like these honestly and thoughtfully creates a roadmap for continuous improvement and intentionality in your actions.

Be Encouraged.

HBR: How to Create Your Own ‘Year in Review

Servant Leadership – My Version of an Introduction

~ Tim Pritchett ~ 1 Comment

When “leadership” is mentioned, many ideas can come to mind. Vision. Decisiveness. Strength. Strategic. Competitive. All of these may be accurate. Many are desirable, but some, depending on how they are portrayed, may not.

Two ideas have influenced my perspective on leadership. The first came from my business coach, who said, “The accumulation of little things is often more impactful than the one ‘big thing.'” The second is a succinct quote from John Maxwell: “Leadership is Influence.” These quotes added nuance to my experiences with the leaders in my life—both good and not-so-good. They have also led me to the ideology and approach to leadership called Servant Leadership.

Servant Leadership

Robert K. Greenleaf formalized the idea of Servant Leadership in a series of essays. The term Servant Leader was introduced in an essay called The Servant as Leader, published in 1970. From the first time I read about it, the approach of Servant Leadership resonated with me. It aligned with my values and my view of people.

Greenleaf’s ideas were, in part, inspired by Hermann Hesse’s novel The Journey to the East (1957). In Hesse’s story, the character Leo embodies servant leadership. He starts as a servant to a group of travelers. (Warning: Spoiler Alert!) Later, it’s revealed that Leo is the spiritual leader of a secretive group called the League. The parable teaches that leadership isn’t about title or role; it’s about serving and uplifting others.

Applying Servant Leadership.

In his essay, Greenleaf has a line that resonates with me and, in my opinion, is the litmus test of being a leader:

Do those served grow as persons? Do they become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, and more likely themselves to become servants?

My influence… my leadership, can be revealed in those around me. I care, support, serve, and influence them. I often miss the mark, but this is what I aspire to.

The Traits of a Servant Leadership

Greenleaf outlined ten traits of servant leaders:

  1. Listening: Actively listen to others’ needs and seek to understand them fully. Often, this requires that we listen more than we talk. Consider more than we persuade. This leads nicely to the next trait…
  2. Empathy: Recognize and understand others’ emotions and perspectives. Alfred Adler described empathy as “Seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.”
  3. Healing: Help others achieve emotional and spiritual wellbeing. This idea might lead you to the thought, “… but that’s…*EMOTIONAL*… this is work! Can’t we just avoid emotions and do work…” I’ll let you decide if those things can be separated.
  4. Self-Awareness: Be mindful of yourself and your impact on others.
  5. Persuasion: Influence through persuasion, not authority.
  6. Conceptualization: See beyond the present to envision what might be. Another way to think of this is “looking forward.”
  7. Foresight: Use past lessons and present realities to guide future decisions. Another way to think of this is “looking back.”
  8. Stewardship: Take care of the organization or the team for the greater good.
  9. Commitment to the Growth of People: Support your Organization’s/Team’s personal and professional development.
  10. Building Community: Create a sense of belonging and collaboration. We were made for community.

I’ve seen and read an additional trait that other students of servant leadership have added:

Bonus: Calling: You are the right person, at the right time, for the right reason. You may not feel like a “leader” or even want to be one. But for whatever reason, you are in the position you are, with the influence you have for a reason. Embrace it.

Leadership is not always “the one big thing.” Very often, it presents itself in the collection of small things done well and consistently.

In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear said,

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.”

This applies to becoming the leader you want to be and that those around you want you to be.

Myths of Servant Leadership

As I’ve studied servant leadership, I have seen opponents to the idea because it’s so contrary to “traditional leadership.”  A few examples include:

Servant Leadership is just “easy” or “being everyone’s friend.” I can appreciate the thought process to get there when I hear this, but I disagree with the conclusion. A quote I recently read provided a great response. In his book Know What Matters, Ron Shaich says,

“Servant leadership isn’t about being nice at all costs. It’s about being helpful at all costs. And radical honesty is a much greater service to people than simply being kind.”

Servant Leadership is just a “Christian/religious thing.” Without a doubt, there is a spiritual quality to servant leadership. Many people will point to Jesus’s quote, “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

Servant Leadership is seen in quotes from teachers of many faiths:

  • Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
  • Dalai Lama: “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
  • Thich Nhat Hanh: “The practice of compassion and loving-kindness is not about being nice but about being real and truthful, helping others to transform their suffering.”
  • Prophet Muhammad: “The leader of a people is their servant.”
  • Guru Nanak: “The essence of life is to serve others and do good.”

Servant Leadership Sacrifices Results for Relationships: Simply because you focus on people and their well-being and growth doesn’t mean you ignore outcomes. My experience is that when you focus on people, you have better outcomes, able to stand to adversity and challenges, and can do it faster (Ref. Steven Covey, The Speed of Trust)

Alternatively

When creating training content on servant leadership, I got a weekly email from Inc. magazine. The email provided a link to an article called “5 Signs That Instantly Identify Someone With Bad Leadership Skills. The list included:

  1. Narcissistic Tendencies
  2. Not recognizing their people for good work.
  3. Treat people like numbers
  4. Too much control
  5. Not sharing information

I found this list and these traits interesting compared to the material I was preparing. When servant leadership is demonstrated well, people are drawn in and thrive.

Your Influence Matters

I believe we’re all here for a reason. I believe you’re in the situation you’re in—good or bad, challenging or encouraging—for a reason. You have the opportunity to learn. You have the opportunity to serve. It’s about choosing to do the small things that build trust, inspire others, encourage others, and foster gratitude in others and yourself. By focusing on the well-being and development of others, we can make a lasting impact—not just as leaders but as human beings. One last quote to drive this point home, Donald McGannon says,

Leadership is an action, not a position.

Lead with intention, serve with humility, and influence with purpose.

Be Encouraged. Be an Encourager.

If you’re interested, here is a version of the slide deck I’ve used to present the ideas of servant leadership.
Servant Leadership Slide Deck

Servant Leadership Traits – Desktop Reminder. I have this sitting on my desk at all times.

Run Streak

~ Tim Pritchett ~ Leave a comment

In May of 2022, I heard about Runners World Run Streak. The commitment was to run at least one mile every day from Memorial Day to July 4th. I was excited to use this as the motivation to get back to my running routine, which had gotten lost somewhere between COVID and everything else in my life.

As a kid, I did not enjoy running. I’m not sure why, but I know others have had the same experience. As I got older, something switched, and I really enjoyed running. My regular runs include 2-3 interval runs, tempo runs where I push a bit harder/faster* but still watch my heart rate zones, and an active recovery run. I’ve done a handful of 5K races and a 10K twice. No marathons yet. No half marathons, but maybe 2023, but for now, this is ok for me. Thanksgiving morning will include my first Turkey Trot sponsored by our local YMCA.

Runners World recently advertised they are starting a Winter Run Streak. Starting Thanksgiving, commit to running at least one mile every day until New Year’s Day – 39 days total. My Summer Run Streak was 73 days. I averaged just over 2 miles per day. After my bout with COVID (and the relentless fatigue that just seemed to hang on after), I finally got to (re)started in October. I’m currently on day 32 and counting.

Neat story, Tim… but what’s your point. Only to encourage you to give it a try. Maybe it will be an opportunity to push yourself. To do something that maybe seems tantamount to climbing Everest. It’s an opportunity to make a commitment – if to no one else, to yourself that this is something you’re going to do for 39 days. That alone will give you a great sense of accomplishment as you walk…run into 2023. There are enough things in the world today that seem intent on knocking us down, encouraging us to think less of ourselves. This is an opportunity for you to take ownership of that narrative and do more than maybe you thought you could. Sure, you can post it on your social if you want the accountability (which was a big deal for me…I deliberated for a long time before I posted “Day 1“…if there’s a Day 1, there’s gotta be a Day 2 – right?), or you can just use the progress chart that Runners World created and celebrate each day of success on your own.

Nearly everything awesome takes longer than you think. Get started and don’t worry about the clock.

James Clear

(*And by “Faster,” I mean faster for me – which is still not fast, but I’m learning to not compare my times to others I follow on Instagram or elsewhere. If you’re interested, two of my favorite runners to follow are mattchoi_6 and kmm_runs and her related store life.of.running.)