Most people end their day by checking email. Great leaders end their day by checking themselves.
Here’s a proven 5-minute end-of-day leadership loop/debrief that keeps your mind mission-ready and your leadership aligned.
R.A.I.D.
R – Recognize: What challenges/opportunities surfaced today?
A – Analyze: What stage of the process were they in? (Explore. Clarify. Act. Evaluate.)
I – Integrate: Which leadership skills did I use (or neglect)?
D – Decide: What’s the next small, ethical, and strategic step forward?
No, this isn’t journaling fluff but a precise mental after-action review. A way to clear the cognitive clutter and recalibrate before tomorrow’s mission.
What leadership has taught me:
Reflection isn’t about the past but an opportunity to redefine the next round.
Performance is never left to chance.
Stay flexible.
Stay system-aware.
Leaders who R.A.I.D. evolve, not react to the day.