Great teams can turn around a poor performance in the second half and great coaches appreciate the half time break. It is a time to adjust tactics, affirm what is going well and perhaps even turn around what has not been ideal first half. For you, it is half way through the year and you have 6 months ahead of you. Things have gone well and no doubt there have been challenges.

Whether you are looking at your personal life, leading a team or a corporation, the fundamental questions are.

• How can I make the next 6 months better than the first?
• What adjustments need to be made?
• How can I keep tracking towards achieving my goals?

Today I want to introduce the “So WHAT” evaluation. However, my coaching has found that people have two paradigms when the words, ‘SO WHAT’ are uttered. It all depends on the intention of the person delivering them. For some, the ‘SO WHAT’ is a statement and for others it is an inquiry.

The ‘Statement’ Types

For those whom SO WHAT is a Statement, It can mean whatever they are assessing “is not important” and infers the statement “I don’t care”. You will hear responses like

• “So what if I don’t achieve the targets. I am getting paid anyway!” and
• “The CEO won’t like it, you know.” “So what – I don’t care what they think!”

For them, ‘SO WHAT’ is a full stop and shines the light on a fatalistic approach to their reality. They act as if ‘life is happening to them’ and little of what they do will make a difference. In truth, the outcomes of the past 6 months can be extrapolated for the remainder of the year and each year following. From my coaching experience, people with this intention tend to be

• Uninspired by the life they are living
• Achieve fewer goals
• Get less career advancement
• Do not maximise their potential.

The Inquiry Types

For those whom, ‘SO WHAT’ indicates inquiry tend to be flexible, more likely to succeed and have a positive attitude that puts them on the cause side of the equation. They believe what they choose to do will change the reality they experience.

I had a wise mentor who used to challenge me whenever I was in the throes of crafting a speech. “Aiden”, he would say. “Be plagued by the question “SO WHAT?” He paused and looked intently at me and said, “Ask yourself that every time you get up to speak.”

I have found that those with the inquiry approach to, ‘SO WHAT?’ quickly identify priorities and figure out what is important. It brings a focus and clarity to life that keeps them heading in the right direction.

Ask ‘SO WHAT’ 4 times.

To maximise the second half of the year ask, ‘SO WHAT?’ four times with a slightly different emphasis each time. If you are going to do this properly ensure you do it in writing. Get four pieces of paper and head each page with each of the questions and commit at least 5 min to answer each.

Number 1: SO WHAT Happened?

It was the renowned educationalist David Kolb that taught us that reflection turns ‘experience’ into ‘insight’. It is only when we reflect the past can we learn from it.

Take a page and write the heading “So what Happened?”. Review the last six months and jot down a bullet point list of what actually happened. You may want to review your calendar and start to write down your observations and learnings.

• What has gone well?
• What were some frustrations?
• Have there been any unexpected events?
• What is happening with your team?
• If I had to sum up each month in a sentence how would I describe it?

Number 2: SO WHAT Do I Want?

Take another page and write the heading “So What Do I Want?”. At this point, you want to connect with your intentions. Remind yourself of your goals and overall outcomes you are aiming for. Describe why it will be great to achieve those goals and how it will improve your life.

Number 3: SO WHAT Do I Need To Adjust

Take another page and write the heading “So what Do I need to adjust?”. Here you are focusing on correction. Where are the adjustments that you need to make?

Did you know that an Apollo rocket is actually on course only two or three percent of the time? At least 97% of the time it is off course. In other words, on the journey to its destination, the spacecraft is making adjustments the majority of the time. Life is no different for those who have goals and dreams they want to achieve.

Number 4: SO WHAT Will I Do

Take another page and write the heading “So What Will I Do?”. This is the most vital page where you will develop the adjusted game plan for the next 6 months. Make sure you write down at least four to five actions you can get started with straight away.

I have learnt that what my old mentor challenged me with is true in multiple areas and universally applicable. It gets you refocused on what is important but also what other people care about. Whether it is a speech, a team meeting, sales presentation or piece of writing there’s one question you simply must answer: SO WHAT?

Write in the Comments

What leadership insight have you gained after reviewing the last 6 months?

By Aiden Holliday

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