After one particularly close rugby match, our team walked off the field gutted. We’d given it everything, but still came up short.
The easy option would’ve been to blame the ref, bad luck, or a missed call. But instead, we sat down the next week and reviewed the game together — play by play. It wasn’t comfortable, but it was powerful.
We didn’t focus on who messed up; we focused on what we could learn and what we could do diffently next time.
Leadership is no different. Every “game” — a project, presentation, or tough week — gives you data. The problem is, most leaders move straight to the next thing without taking time to reflect. They miss the gold hidden in the review.
Here’s what I’ve learned: reflection turns experience into insight.
Without it, you just repeat the same mistakes. With it, you start seeing patterns — how your communication lands, how your team responds under pressure, where your blind spots sit.
Challenge this week: Take 15 minutes to do a “post-match review.” Ask yourself (or your team):
- What went well?
- What didn’t go as planned?
- What will we do differently next time?
Small reflections done consistently can completely transform how you lead.