Podcast Cover Art for Episode 13 and the title reads "What's at stake?"

In this episode of the Mission-Critical Leadership podcast, Justin talks about his one big requirement from prospective clients to determine the quality of their fit with his coaching system. It starts by answering the question, “What’s at stake?”

The Crucial Question: What’s at Stake?

Sometimes we learn through success. More often, however, we learn through failure. Early in my coaching career, I had my “anti-client.” He was someone that was such a bad fit for me, we were both miserable. In today’s episode, we talk about what I learned from him, and how that shaped my future practice.

Now, with this information and insight, I ask all prospective clients one major question.

“What’s at stake?” Podcast Cover Art for Episode 13 and the title reads "What's at stake?"

This question tells me why the work we will do matters and helps me gauge their commitment to coaching. More than that, it gives them clarity and focus as we start our journey.

It is also something you can use in your daily life to grow your own discipline.

Join me in episode 13 and we examine the crucial answer to the question, “What’s at stake?”

In This Episode

In this episode, we talk about:

  • The growth of coaches to meet specific needs
  • Just because you can coach someone, doesn’t mean you should.
  • What my worst client (ever) taught me about my own coaching philosophy.
  • Get yourself unstuck by asking, “What’s at stake?”
  • Why your mindset matters more than just about anything else.

About Justin

Dr. Justin Hiebert works with mission-critical leaders to accomplish the unimaginable. Justin realizes that no leader needs more things to do, so he works with his clients to get the right things done. His clients rise above burnout, captivate their teams, and transform their communities. By engaging their hearts and minds, his clients unlock their full potential to be, do, and have it all. This affords them the ability to leave a legacy of influence and impact on the world. He is a husband, father, teacher, learner, and champion of joy. He resides in Bakersfield with his wife, four kids, two cats, and one dog. In his free time, he loves exercising, riding motorcycles, and doing anything outdoors.

Blog Post Cover Art

Every Monday, I spend time in an intentional review process. By asking myself five powerful questions, I can radically transform my intention and direction for the week. These five powerful questions keep me focused and directed on my long-term goals.

The Weekly Review

The weekly review process is one I implemented several years ago when I started using Michael Hyatt’s Full Focus Planner (here’s a link to a video series I did walking through everything). If I’m honest, at first, I found it tedious. Then, I went through a phase of outright rejection. Finally, I committed myself to the process.

Now, it’s something I can’t live without. Blog Post Cover Art

Setting aside time every week to track my goals, check in with myself, and stay grounded in what matters most has radically transformed my life.

As a result, I’ve created five powerful questions that help summarize the process of review that I do every week.

5 Powerful Questions

1.) What happened?

I start with what was. What happened last week that I need to be aware of? Was there anything of significance? How did I do on my goals? What targets did I miss, and what tasks did I fail to do?

I don’t spend a lot of time here, but the weeks are so busy and full of stuff that it can be helpful for me to remember what happened as I plan my new week.

2.) What is happening?

Now I start to look forward. What is happening this week? Where are my meetings? Who am I trying to connect with? Is there anything unique or special that I agreed to months ago that I have forgotten about?

As a calendar-driven person, I sometimes make appointments weeks in advance. They get written down when I make the appointment, but it’s common that it slips my mind after that. Spending time every week looking ahead refreshes my memory and allows me to be prepared.

3.) Who do I need to be?

I’m a big believer that we don’t so much chase goals as we chase being the person capable of handling those goals. It’s a subtle difference, but here’s an example:

I want to have a strong, healthy, vibrant marriage.

This is a goal. I might even attempt to define it better by making it a S.M.A.R.T.E.R goal, but it’s a goal.

Contrast it with the following statement:

I want to be the type of person that can have a strong, healthy, vibrant marriage.

Small difference, but a big change.

One is focused on an end result. Great! I’ve got a good marriage!

The other focuses on the continual growth process. How do I get an even better marriage this week?

By focusing on the type of person I need to be in the world, it keeps me growing and focused on intentionally bettering myself.

4.) Who do I need to help?

I work with mission-critical leaders. These are people that are ultimately living their life in service to others. I want to orient myself in the same way.

Part of my business model is to help others. By setting aside time every week to pass on referrals, extend my network, seek a service opportunity, or look for donation options, I give myself time every week to give back to the community I care about.

5.) What matters most?

This one reminds me of why I do what I do.

What sounds good when I’m hungry? Junk food.

What matters most? Healthy food options are ready when I don’t have willpower.

What sounds fun when I’m tired? Video games.

What really gives me life and energy when I need some? Gardening. Reading. Friends. There are a whole lot more beneficial options for me than video games.

By keeping focused on what matters most, I pre-set my brain to autopilot so I don’t have to make hard choices when I lack discipline, willpower, motivation, or time.

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What about you? How do you plan your week for success? Leave tips below!

Girl biting limp and thinking, wondering how she can stay curious

I may not always learn new things, but when I do, it’s because I stay curious.

My blatant rip-off of the most interesting man, may not be a quote that makes me famous, but it does provide the foundation for the growth needed in life.

Curiosity is a habit and a mindset that keeps leaders humble and gives them the ability to assess a situation, appreciate perspective, and continue towards growth.

Stay Curious

“I know how to do it!”

I’ve heard that phrase more than a few times from my kids, only to watch them struggle with tying their shoes, washing the dishes, folding their laundry, or any other number of tasks.

It’s a common problem, right?

As much as I’ve seen it in my kids, I’ve also noticed that problem in myself.

In my almost ten years of professional coaching, I’ve come across similar problems in people. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve coached who were unhappy in their jobs and looking to make a career change. Girl biting limp and thinking, wondering how she can stay curious

And when I assume I know what the answer is, I’ve always been wrong. When I’ve remained curious and allowed the client to dictate the direction of the conversation, not only do they come to a better conclusion, but I learn something new in the process as well.

My ability to stay curious benefits both me and my clients.

As leaders, staying curious benefits us, and those we lead.

Leadership Curiosity

Leadership curiosity manifests anytime we set aside our preconceived notions and explore possibilties with our teams.

In short, we stay curious when we ask questions.

  • What would that look like?
  • Who do we know that can help?
  • How can I serve you?
  • Where can we find the answers?
  • What makes this important?
  • Are we willing to fight for this?

The more questions we ask, the more curious we are, the better the end result will be.

Leadership curiosity includes our team members, equips them for the journey ahead, inspires action, and leverages critical thinking skills.

How will you stay curious this week?