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The Safety Mindset Newsletter

ISSUE 10

27 August 2024 | READ ONLINE​

Hi there,

When was the last time you truly reflected on a failure? Not just brushed it off but really dug deep into what went wrong and why.

Tony Robbins once said,

“When people succeed, they tend to party, but when they fail, they tend to ponder.”

This quote has guided my journey as a safety leader and now as CEO and Founder.

Success is a moment to celebrate, but true growth happens through failure - and the deep reflection that follows. Let me share a story to illustrate this.

A Story of Success - and What Came After

A few years ago, my team and I launched a major safety initiative that not only met but far exceeded our goals. It was a massive win, and we celebrated, of course. But instead of just popping the champagne and moving on, I led a Success Retrospective. We didn’t just pat ourselves on the back. We asked the tough questions:

• What specifically led to our success?
• Were there hidden challenges we overcame that we can learn from?
• How can we use this momentum to fuel our next project?

The insights we gained from that reflection were invaluable. They solidified our victory and prepared us for even bigger challenges ahead.

How I Reflect: Turning Failure into Growth

I don’t shy away from the tough conversations when things don't go as planned. I’ve implemented an After-Action Review process that has become a cornerstone of my learning approach. Here’s how I guide it:

• We analyze what went wrong without assigning blame.
• I encourage my team to identify early warning signs we might have missed.
• Together, we brainstorm actionable changes we can implement immediately.

My Routine: Weekly Ponder Sessions

I take 30 minutes every Friday for a personal "ponder session". This isn’t just casual reflection - it’s a disciplined practice where I:

• Review the week’s successes and failures.
• Identify patterns or recurring issues.
• Plan an experiment for the following week based on these insights.

These sessions have become my secret weapon for staying grounded, growing as a leader, and continuously improving my approach.

Authority in Action: The Celebration Checklist

Before any celebration, I guide my team through a Celebration Checklist. We:

• Acknowledge both the effort and the learning involved.
• Share key insights that can be applied to future projects.
• Identify one area of improvement - even in our successes.

This approach ensures that every success builds a stronger foundation for future achievements.

Ready to Elevate Your Leadership?

The foundation of effective leadership isn’t just in the wins. It’s in how we learn from every experience. The practices I’ve described - like the Success Retrospective and After-Action Review - are just a few of the tools I’ve developed over my career. For example:

• My Strategic Reflection Framework helps you build an actionable plan from your reflections.
• My Leadership Growth Path guides you through the steps to elevate your safety leadership, ensuring that each experience, whether success or failure, drives you forward.

If you’re serious about transforming your leadership approach and making a lasting impact in your organization, these strategies can be your stepping stones to success.

Ready to take the next step?

I've opened TWO more spaces for 1:1 coaching. Let’s work together to elevate your leadership and achieve your goals. Feel free to email me at hello@megantranter.com or click here for a call to see whether it's a good fit for you.

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Until Next Week,

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Dr. Megan Tranter

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