Three Questions Every Leader Must Ask Before Setting Goals

🎧 Episode Overview (EP 222) Before you set goals for the new year, there are three questions every leader must ask. Most engineering leaders jump straight into planning—only to base next year’s goals on whatever they didn’t accomplish this year. In this episode, Dr. James Bryant walks you through a simpler, kinder, and far more effective approach to your year-end review. Rather than focusing on the gaps, you’ll learn how to uncover the hidden wins that have been shaping your growth all year long. This re-air of Episode 169 (“Essential Steps to Unlocking Hidden Wins and Mastering Your Year in Review”) is the perfect reset as you prepare to win at work and at home in 2026. Whether this is your first formal review or one of many, this episode will help you slow down, reflect with compassion, and set goals from a place of clarity—not pressure. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Why most year-end reviews leave leaders discouraged instead of energized The three simple questions that reveal the progress you’ve been overlooking How to prepare your mindset and environment for an honest, grace-filled review Why celebrating “mini milestones” builds confidence and momentum How to perform a Success Autopsy to understand why something worked How to turn one-time wins into repeatable habits and systems Why reflection is one of the best investments you can make in yourself 🔩 Episode Highlights 00:00 – Why most leaders focus on what they didn’t accomplish01:30 – The three questions that create clarity for the new year04:00 – Preparing your mindset and space for a meaningful review07:00 – The power of celebrating “mini milestones”10:00 – How to run a simple success autopsy14:00 – Turning reflection into action for the year ahead 🔗 Resources & Next Steps 📄 Request Your Updated Year-in-Review TemplateEmail James at [email protected] 🎧 Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success InsidersOne story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders 🎙️ Podcast HubAll episodes, player links, and highlights.🔗 sleekbio.com/eyspod