3 Questions

One of the best podcasts I have been listening to lately is Don Miller's Storybrand podcast.  It is can't miss material for business leaders. So when I saw that Don was interviewing PGA Tour professional Ben Crane on a recent episode, I was very excited because I have been known to enjoy a round or two of golf. 

As a PGA tour fan, I also know a thing or two about Ben Crane.  While he may not be a household name like Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, he has had success on the tour. I was very curious to learn from Ben given how he, a mere mortal, can compete with, and occasionally beat, some of the greats that the casual sports fan are more familiar with.  What habits does he utilize?  What does he do to continually improve? These were the questions I was curious about. 

What I learned from the interview is more than I can share in one post, but an application for all leaders are the three questions Ben asks himself after every round he plays.  These questions, which Ben actually audio records on his iPhone and sends to his "team" (coaches, accountability partner, etc.), are very simple, and yet they profound at the same time. They are: 

1. What did I do well today? 
2. What did I learn? 
3. What am I going to do with what I learned? 

To illustrate how these questions can be applied in a business setting, I am going to rip the band-aid off from a recent public speaking experience I had.  I hope my transparency helps you see how easily these questions apply not only to PGA golfers, but to leaders like you and me. 

Context: Speech I gave to approximately 50 individuals (many potential customers) at an industry learning event.

1. What did I do well today? (This is always the most difficult question for me to ask because it forces me to start positively.)  I was very prepared for the speech.  My speech was clear and free from verbal pauses like "uh." I also utilized pauses well.  It was gutsy.  I was scared to share my heart about Charity Water, fearing the audience may tune out, but I was complimented post-speech for doing so.  This was a win. 
2. What did I learn? I learned that injecting humor in the middle of the content can be risky as it fell flat!  While the content I shared was simplified in comparison to previous talks, it needs to be even simpler going forward.  The TED advice, "what one topic can you cover well in 18 minutes?" is advisable moving forward. 
3. What am I going to do with what I learned?  I am going to simplify the next speech I give so that the audience can follow and comprehend. I am also going to work on the placement of when I use humor having learned that injecting it in the meat of the material may not work for my style. 

Ben’s three questions are powerful because they force an honest reflection on what you just experienced.  Recording your “wins” encourages you to continue to improve, while acknowledging lessons learned helps you define exactly how to do so.  Honest reflection is how we grow and improve.

I am now asking these questions all the time, and so can you.  I am asking them after putting our two year old to bed, giving a speech, and at the end of the work day.  I have found them to be extremely valuable.  

I believe you will, too.