Three Questions Every Leader Should Ask Before the Next Quarter
Reflection determines direction, and the right questions shape your next season.
When Success on the Surface Isn’t Success at All
It was late 2015, and I was sitting on the couch exhausted, not the kind of tired a nap could fix, but the deep, bone-level fatigue that comes from living out of alignment.
My wife walked in, looked at me, and said the words that hit harder than anything I’d heard in a long time:
“This isn’t working. Something has to change. You’re like a zombie.”
At that time, I was the chef of a successful local restaurant. On the surface, everything looked great. My career was strong, people respected my work, and the restaurant was thriving. But behind the scenes, everything that truly mattered was unraveling.
I was never home. And when I was, I wasn’t really there. I was physically out of shape, spiritually dry, and emotionally disconnected from my wife and kids.
That moment on the couch became a turning point. By the end of the year, I decided to pivot, not just in career, but in how I lived.
On January 1, 2016, I started a new job with Auburn University’s Campus Dining, one that gave me space to breathe, grow, and rebuild. For the first time in years, I had margin to invest in my marriage, my health, and my spiritual life.
The Power of Asking the Right Questions
Looking back, that season taught me something I’ll never forget: we move in the direction of the questions we ask.
Whether you’re leading a business, a ministry, or a family, reflection determines direction.
If you want to grow, realign, or regain focus before the next quarter, start here:
1. What’s Going Right?
Before you start changing everything, pause to celebrate what’s working.
Wins are often overlooked because we’re wired to fix what’s broken, but gratitude grounds you in reality.
Recognizing what’s right brings perspective and reminds you of God’s faithfulness in the process.
“Leadership principle: Gratitude sharpens vision. When you lead with appreciation, your team and your family thrive with you.”
2. What’s Not Going Right?
This question requires humility, the kind that listens, learns, and adjusts.
It’s easy to blame circumstances or people, but leadership begins with ownership. When you’re willing to face what’s not working, you open the door to clarity and alignment.
“Leadership principle: Feedback and reflection reveal blind spots. Don’t fear correction, embrace it as the path to growth.”
3. What Needs to Be on My “To-Don’t List”?
Every new season doesn’t need new goals, sometimes it needs new boundaries.
We often fill our calendars with “good things” that distract from the right things. The most effective leaders know when to say no so they can say yes to what truly matters.
“Leadership principle: Focus is a form of faith. You can’t steward your calling well if your attention is divided.”
Bonus Question: “Jesus, What Do You Think of Me as a Man?”
This question brings everything back into alignment, not your performance, not your plans, but your identity.
When you slow down long enough to ask what God says about who you are, your priorities and pace begin to shift.
“Leadership principle: Identity anchors leadership. When you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.”
A Final Word for the Next Quarter
You still have time to create a plan before the new year begins.
So take a moment to slow down. Celebrate your wins. Identify what needs to change. And be honest about what needs to go.
The next quarter isn’t just another 90 days, it’s an opportunity to lead with greater purpose, presence, and peace.
Ready to Lead at the Next Level?
If you’re ready to build structure, accountability, and clarity around your next season, it’s time to take the next step.
Explore coaching with Next Level Leader and discover the strategy and alignment you need to lead with purpose.
