Growth-oriented leaders don’t just work hard—they think hard. They pause, reflect, and ask questions that challenge their assumptions, clarify their direction, and deepen their impact.
As John Maxwell writes in The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, “You only get answers to the questions you ask.”
But asking questions isn’t just about gaining insight—it’s about resetting your mindset, mood, and outlook.
In his book The Habit Mechanic, Dr. Jon Finn introduces a practice called Self-Watching—a habit of asking yourself intentional questions to monitor your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Dr. Jon Finn’s idea of self-watching is a great tool for personal growth, but many leaders avoid it.
Why? There are many reasons. Here’s some that come to mind.
Fear of Vulnerability: Reflecting on yourself can feel like exposing weaknesses. Leaders are used to showing confidence and might fear judgment if they admit doubts.
Time Pressure: Busy schedules make reflection seem like a luxury. Leaders often prioritize action over contemplation, which can keep them stuck in reactive cycles.
Discomfort with Ambiguity: Reflective questions can bring up complex and unresolved issues. Leaders who prefer clear answers might avoid diving into these gray areas.
Fear of Change: Self-watching can lead to insights that suggest changes in habits or priorities. Change can be uncomfortable, so leaders might avoid reflection to stay in their comfort zone.
Perfectionism and Self-Criticism: Leaders with high standards might fear that self-reflection will amplify their self-doubt.
Cultural and Organizational Factors: In some organizational cultures, vulnerability and questioning are undervalued. Leaders in such environments might suppress self-watching habits.
While self-reflection is hard, “self-watching” is essential for wise and resilient leadership.
“You only get answers to the questions you ask.”
– John Maxwell
Overcoming these obstacles starts with acknowledging them and making space for reflection and growth.
This practice opens the door to deeper self-understanding and greater impact.
If you’re a leader who feels stuck, a manager who’s lost momentum, or a professional who wants to stay aligned with your purpose, then this post is for you.
These five weekly questions are designed to help you grow intentionally—and reset emotionally.
1. Am I Growing Daily or Just Going Through the Motions?
We all grow physically without much effort. From infancy to adulthood, our bodies develop automatically driven by biology, not intention.
But once we reach maturity, growth becomes a choice.
Think of it this way: the athlete who wants to build strength cannot simply wish it into existence. Training is required!
The musician who hopes to master their instrument cannot just dabble. Intentional practice is a must.
In much the same way, the leader who desires to grow in influence and wisdom cannot rely only on experience. They must pause, reflect, and learn consistently.
This is the heart of Maxwell’s Law of Intentionality:
“No one improves by accident. Personal growth doesn’t just happen on its own.” — John Maxwell
Ask yourself:
- What did I learn this week? Reflect on the new knowledge or skills you’ve gained. It could be something you read, a conversation you had, or an experience that taught you something valuable.
- What challenged me? Identify the obstacles or difficulties you faced. These challenges are often the best teachers, pushing us out of our comfort zones and helping us develop resilience.
- What inspired me? Think about the moments that sparked your creativity or motivation. Inspiration can come from many sources, such as a book, a person, or a new idea.
2. What Did I Do This Week That Aligned with My Purpose?
“You cannot be what you believe you aren’t.”
—John Maxwell
Purpose is the compass for growth. Without it, we drift.
With it, we move with clarity.
When leaders live out their purpose, they bring focus to their daily decisions, energy to their work, and conviction to their relationships.
Purpose is not just a lofty ideal—it is the lens through which we decide how to invest our time, talent, and resources.
Take a moment to reflect:
Did your actions this week reflect your deepest values?
Think back to the moments that felt most meaningful.
Where did you feel most alive?
These questions help you discern whether you’re walking in alignment with your purpose or drifting away from it.
A practical rhythm for keeping purpose at the forefront is to revisit your mission statement regularly, ideally every week.
Highlight one purposeful moment in your journal and notice what patterns emerge over time. Then, look at your calendar—does it reflect what matters most to you?
Adjusting your schedule to prioritize purpose-driven tasks ensures that your time is spent on what truly counts.
When you make a habit of connecting your weekly actions to your larger sense of purpose, you create clarity, energy, and resilience.
You’re not just working through a to-do list. You’re living out a mission.
Practical Takeaways:
- Revisit your mission statement weekly.
- Highlight one purposeful moment in your journal.
- Adjust your calendar to prioritize purpose-driven tasks.
3. What Questions Am I Avoiding?
“Anytime a person is answering more than asking, you can be sure they’ve slowed down in their growth.”
—John Maxwell
Avoidance is a growth killer. Leaders often dodge the hard questions—about conflict, burnout, or direction—because they’re uncomfortable.
Yet these very questions act like mirrors, showing us areas we’d rather ignore.
When a leader avoids asking, they also avoid growing.
Discomfort, however, is where growth lives. The moment we lean into the uneasiness of uncertainty or the sting of feedback, we open ourselves up to breakthrough.
Facing tough questions isn’t about weakness. Rather, it’s about courage.
It takes bravery to admit when something isn’t working, to confront conflict directly, or to name a fear honestly. And in doing so, leaders create the possibility for new strategies, stronger relationships, and renewed clarity.
Ask yourself:
- What am I pretending not to know? Sometimes, we avoid acknowledging certain truths because they are uncomfortable or inconvenient. By asking this question, we challenge ourselves to face reality and address issues that we might be ignoring. This can lead to greater clarity and more effective decision-making.
- What feedback am I resisting? Feedback is essential for growth, but it can be difficult to hear. We might resist feedback because it challenges our self-perception or because it requires us to change. By identifying the feedback we are resisting, we can open ourselves up to valuable insights and opportunities for improvement.
- What decision am I delaying? Procrastination can be a major barrier to progress. We often delay decisions because we fear making the wrong choice or because we feel overwhelmed. By pinpointing the decisions we are putting off, we can take proactive steps to move forward and overcome inertia.
4. Who Did I Serve This Week—and How?
“You can’t change your life until you change something you do every day.”
—John Maxwell
Servant leadership is not a theory. It’s a daily practice.
Growth-oriented leaders serve others intentionally, not incidentally.
At its best, leadership is about adopting a mindset where daily actions are measured not only by productivity but also by the positive difference they make in the lives of others.
True servant leaders seek out opportunities to encourage, to listen, and to lift the burdens of their team members.
They understand that leadership is not about position or prestige, but about adding value to people.
When leaders consistently ask, “Who did I serve today, and how did I serve them?” they cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration.
Over time, these small acts of service accumulate into deep influence and lasting impact.
By choosing daily to place others’ growth alongside their own, leaders create environments where both people and performance thrive.
Ask yourself:
- Who did I encourage? Reflect on the moments when you offered support or motivation to someone. Encouragement can be a powerful tool in leadership, helping others to believe in their abilities and strive for their best. Think about the words of affirmation you shared and the positive impact they had on the recipient.
- Who did I listen to deeply? Consider the times when you truly listened to someone, giving them your full attention and understanding. Deep listening goes beyond hearing words; it involves empathy and connection. Reflect on the conversations where you made someone feel heard and valued, and how that strengthened your relationship.
- Who did I help grow? Think about the individuals you mentored or guided towards personal or professional development. Helping others grow is a key aspect of leadership. Reflect on the advice, resources, or opportunities you provided that contributed to someone’s growth and success.
5. What’s One Thing I’ll Do Differently Next Week?
“If you want to grow, consistency is key.”
— John Maxwell
Reflection without action is just nostalgia. Growth requires change.
Every week should end with a commitment to do something better, smarter, or deeper.
True growth comes when reflection turns into decisions and those decisions turn into habits.
Without that link, reflection remains a memory rather than a catalyst for change.
Think of your week as a training ground.
Each reflection session offers a chance to evaluate your progress and choose one adjustment that will make the next week more effective.
It could be a small tweak to your morning routine, a decision to delegate more wisely, or a choice to have a long-postponed conversation.
Over time, these small, intentional shifts create momentum.
Consistency compounds, and what feels like a modest step today becomes a transformational habit tomorrow.
Ask yourself:
- What didn’t work this week? Reflecting on what didn’t go as planned is crucial for growth. It helps you identify areas where you might need to adjust your approach or strategy. Think about the tasks or projects that didn’t meet your expectations and consider why they fell short. Was it a lack of resources, poor planning, or perhaps unforeseen challenges? By understanding what didn’t work, you can learn valuable lessons and avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
- What could I improve? This question encourages you to look at your performance critically and identify areas for improvement. It could be anything from your communication skills to your time management. Consider the feedback you’ve received from others and your own observations. What specific actions can you take to enhance your skills and effectiveness? Setting clear, actionable goals for improvement can help you make steady progress.
- What will I try differently? Growth often requires change and experimentation. Reflect on the insights you’ve gained from the previous questions and think about what you can do differently next week. It might be trying a new approach to a problem, adopting a new tool or technique, or changing your routine. Embrace the idea of continuous improvement and be open to trying new things. This mindset will help you stay adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges.