Unlocking Your Next Step: A Simple Question with Powerful Impact

Hello Igniters!

Welcome to the first issue of the Insight Igniter for Spring 2025. As the cold grip of winter relaxes, it gives way to longer days, fresh energy and sense of possibility that encourages us to refocus our energy moving forward with clarity and intention. For my fellow golfers, we eagerly await a return to the fairways and greens, pressure testing our swing changes, new equipment and the first major of the season, The Masters (T-minus 14 days). Whether you are navigating personal or professional growth on the golf course or in the boardroom, the ability to assess your needs in a moment can be the difference between success and frustration – sometimes you may find yourself stuck in this transition.

The Insight Igniter question for March 24th, 2025:

“What do you need right now?”

Let’s explore this question together, to uncover how understanding failure connects leadership and performance, paves a path for change and influences our decision making.

Future Ambitions into the Present

In the fast-moving world of leadership and personal development, clarity can often feel elusive. Competing demands, endless to-do lists, and the pressure to anticipate future challenges can leave even the most capable individuals feeling overwhelmed. But amid the noise, this simple question has the power to cut through the clutter and bring immediate focus. By forcing an immediate reckoning with here and now, it allows individuals to bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be. A senior executive I have been working with was on beyond frustrated - closing in on burnt out. They had been been leading a key strategic program that was dead in the water due to a team in dissent and constant firefighting short-term problems. When I asked, “What do you need right now?” they paused before answering, “Time to think”.That clarity led them to delegate more effectively, restructure the team, and ultimately make decisions that aligned with their vision of success rather than reacting to daily chaos.

Supports Decision-Making

Leaders and high achievers often struggle not with a lack of options, but with an abundance of them. What do you need right now? strips away the distractions and forces ruthless prioritization, pinpointing the immediate need. The next time you find yourself lost in hypotheticals or overanalyzing every possibility, shift your focus to what truly matters in this moment. You just might find that when you identify and connect with your core needs the best decision comes to you with clarity and certainty.

Ignite Meaningful Action

There is an elegance to this question, it is highly adaptable and demands action. It can be asked in moments of crisis, transition, or even quiet reflection. “What do you need right now?” does not prescribe an answer. It does, however, demand that you take responsibility for defining your next move. In doing so, it turns uncertainty into momentum and intention into action. Whether it’s a leader making a tough decision, a golfer practicing a certain shot on the range before a playoff, or someone navigating personal change, the best next step doesn’t have to solve everything—it simply needs to move you forward.

“What do you need right now?” is a deceptively simple question with profound implications. It grounds us in the present while paving the way for the future, supports decision-making, and ignites meaningful action. In golf, as in leadership and life, success isn’t about perfect conditions—it’s about making the right adjustment in the moment. Whether it’s selecting the right club for the shot, adapting to changing course conditions, or regaining focus after a setback, this question cuts through hesitation and brings clarity to the next move.

Until next time – Stay ignited!

Best,

Coach Stef, CEC