June marks the end of the first quarter for many businesses and the mid-year review for others. Both are critical moments in the execution calendar and valuable opportunities to assess performance and take steps to drive commitment.
This Spring, I returned to the tennis court after a long hiatus, revisiting the game’s precision, technique, and rhythm. Performance in business—much like in tennis—relies heavily on our ability to unlock critical insights, improve our mental agility, and course-correct how we play.
For business leaders, these quarterly moments are akin to the end of a set. The clarity and decisiveness that must accompany each action are not just prerequisites on the court but also resonate deeply with the business review process.
Pivotal Questions for Your Next Performance Review
One of the most impactful habits we encourage leaders to adopt in preparation for a mission review is the discipline of writing an executive summary that answers five pivotal questions.
Each of the following questions requires leaders to be brutally honest, bring an intimate understanding of their performance to the table, and address feedback in the moment to maintain high levels of trust in the team.
1. Are You On Mission or Off Mission?
In tennis, a ball is either in or out; there is no room for subjectivity. The same should apply to your mission. The answer is binary. The answer to this question brings transparency and sets the scene for purposeful debate and action.
2. Why or Why Not?
As a follow-up to the first question, understanding the “why” helps people identify and address their weaknesses and recognize what helps them drive mission outcomes. Understanding what is influencing performance is critical for outstanding performance. Great leaders, like great coaches, study the stats, making interventions based on data, not assumptions or emotions.
Referencing these pivotal questions to evaluate mission performance is a needed habit for leaders and teams who are committed to winning.
3. What Changes to the Plan Are Required, If Any?
Assessing the effect of your plan involves prioritizing critical metrics, responding to external forces, and overcoming interference. When answering this question, it is important to anticipate future opportunities and risks, your customers’ and competitors’ behaviors, and internal commitment to your organization’s strategy. Are you willing to shift your approach and make bold moves?
4. What Are Your Commitments for the Next 30 Days?
Every set and every game brings a fresh start. Similarly, each new quarter brings an opportunity to regain lost ground or grow momentum. Commit to one or two clear actions for the next month that will keep you on mission or help you recover. Remember, matches are won one point at a time.
5. What Support Do You Need?
Once the changes you plan to make are clear, ensuring your core team is aligned is important. Communicate effectively by highlighting interdependencies and resource reallocations. Developing a shared understanding of incoming changes keeps everyone aligned with the mission.
Performance Reviews Unlock Critical Insights
Successful execution demands a mission delivery mindset with clear intent, continuous alignment, and the ability to pivot and adjust tactically to propel your game and business forward. Reference these five pivotal questions to evaluate performance and provide valuable feedback to leaders and teams committed to winning.
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