Episode Description

Crazy Ivans: The Leadership Discipline of Looking Back

What if the most strategic move in leadership isn’t forward—but backward?

In this episode of I’m Just Getting Started, we explore the concept of the “Crazy Ivan,” a Cold War submarine tactic used to disrupt patterns and reveal what’s hidden.

Organizations rarely pause long enough to look back. But when they do—intentionally and with purpose—they uncover patterns, assumptions, and tensions that quietly shape their direction.

This episode offers a practical framework for building reflection into leadership rhythms, including how to analyze success, create meaningful team dialogue, and develop self-awareness through structured reflection.

Because sometimes the clearest way forward…is to first understand what’s been following you.

🧭 What You’ll Learn

• Why constant forward motion can hide critical insights• How “Crazy Ivan” moments create clarity and awareness• Why success is often more useful to analyze than failure• How to build reflection into one-on-ones and team culture• A powerful third-person reflection technique for employees• How to surface hidden patterns without creating defensiveness

⭐ Practical Leadership Tools from This Episode

1. Dissect Success in One-on-Ones

Instead of only reviewing problems, ask:

“What worked well—and why?”

Success creates safer, more productive insight.

2. Use Reflective Team Questions

Try prompts like:

What are we doing that no longer makes sense?

What have we stopped questioning?

What feels harder than it should?

Then share responses collectively.

3. Third-Person After-Action Reviews

Have employees write reflections as if they are their own supervisor.

This creates:

objectivity

honesty

clarity

🎧 Reflection Question

What in your organizationhave you quietly stopped examining?

🎙️ About the Podcast

I’m Just Getting Started explores leadership, growth, and the long work of becoming—through real stories, practical frameworks, and reflective insight.

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