The Parliament Vol. 2, No. 10

What can you learn from that situation?

Author

Thomas Greek
March 14, 2025

COACHING PROMPT OF THE WEEK

“What can you learn from that situation?”

This question is one of the cornerstones of effective coaching. It's a powerful question that helps team members extract valuable insights from their experiences, whether positive or negative, and use those learnings to grow and improve. It fosters self-reflection and helps cultivate a growth mindset.

And here’s a pro tip: the most valuable lessons aren’t always immediately clear. Sometimes, the true insights emerge only with time. What feels like a setback today might reveal unexpected opportunities months down the line, especially if we continue to reflect and ask the right questions. Here are a few probing questions to consider:

  • "How can you apply this learning to future situations?"

  • "What surprised you most about what you learned?"

  • "What might you do differently next time?"

Remember that coaching isn’t telling! Coaching is about staying curious and making space for those in our care to become confident authors of their own stories.

RECOMMENDED READING

The Importance of Reflective Leadership in Business

Self-reflection is critical to effective leadership. Here’s why reflective leadership is important in business and how it can make you a better leader.

online.hbs.edu/blog/post/the-importance-of-reflective-leadership-in-business

FROM THE VAULT

Cognitive Dissonance

Ever had that moment where you said or did something out of character that surprised - or maybe even hurt - someone around you? 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️ You might have even surprised yourself in that moment. And if you're like most people, it can be all too easy to say, or at least think, that the other person involved must have triggered you or is otherwise at fault somehow.

This feeling of disjointedness can lead to Cognitive Dissonance, and it's something I often explore with my clients to help them realize a deeper sense of self-awareness and to better align their actions with their values.

Want more leadership & coaching tips?! Check out our YouTube channel, and while you’re there, be sure to subscribe!

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” – Pablo Picaso

Anyone that’s worked with me during my tenure as a leader knows that I like to go a little rogue at times. Rogue can be misunderstood by others as reckless - without realizing that sense of “other than” just might be intentional. We have to know the rules to break them. And when we break them, we can create something truly unique.

What are some ways you can break or bend the rules to really stand out and introduce something new?

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