Reflect, Learn, and Realign: The Mid-Year After Action Review

In this episode of “Questions and Conversations on Leadership and Life,” Steve and Poli guide you through the process of looking back at your goals and progress using the After Action Review (AAR) framework. Discover how asking the right questions—about what you set out to do, what actually happened, why things turned out the way they did, and what you’ll do differently—can help you celebrate successes, learn from setbacks, and let go of what no longer serves you.

You’ll hear real stories about shifting from achievement goals to habit goals, the importance of letting go of outdated identities, and how small changes can lead to significant growth. Whether you’re reviewing a project, a personal milestone, or your own habits, this episode is packed with practical tools and reflective prompts to help you move forward with clarity and purpose.

Key topics:

• The After Action Review: origins and four core questions

• Celebrating wins and learning from setbacks

• The “stop, start, continue” method for continuous improvement

• Letting go of lesser goals and outdated identities

• Turning insights into action for the next quarter

Tune in to learn how intentional reflection can set the stage for your next chapter.

Beyond Motivation: Inspire and Empower Others and Yourself

In this episode of “Questions and Conversations on Leadership and Life,” we take a deep dive into what truly drives motivation and hope—both for ourselves and for those we lead. Steve and Poli explore the idea that while leaders can’t directly motivate others, they can inspire by helping people find a clear and compelling vision, a pathway to get there, and the agency to take action.

We’ll break down the core elements of intrinsic motivation—curiosity, passion, purpose, autonomy, and mastery—and share practical questions you can ask yourself or your team to spark growth.

The conversation also connects these ideas to the six human needs: certainty, variety, significance, connection, growth, and contribution, showing how understanding these drives can help you create a more inspired and resilient environment.

Whether you’re a leader, mentor, or someone seeking to reignite your own motivation, this episode offers actionable insights, real-life examples, and powerful frameworks to help you and those around you move forward with clarity and confidence.