Improving The Odds Of Success
In the 1970s the U.S. Army implemented a strategy to improve the performance of its troops. They called it the After-Action Review (AAR).
What they devised was a straightforward process that helped teams of soldiers coming back from a mission identify what went well, what went poorly, and how they could have done better.
By finding the factors led to their success, or those things that held them back, they could vastly improve their odds of achieving their goals when faced with the next mission.
This approach proved so helpful that it continues to be used up to the present day. In fact, it was so effective at enhancing success that all other branches of the military adopted it as well.
Fortunately, the AAR is something that can easily be applied outside of a military setting. If you take the time (which is minimal) to adopt this same approach in your personal life, you too can experience greater success and happiness.
The key to using an AAR is realizing there is always something to learn. Succeed, fail, or some of both, there is always something to learn. You become your own coach by taking the time to go through this process.
Your awareness of otherwise unseen factors influencing important goals in your life increases. What was once invisible becomes seen and, as such, is harnessed under your control.
Such feedback is vital for pushing the odds of success in your favor.
This simple tactic is so powerful and so common-sensical that it is applied not only in the military but in business and sports.
The Secret Sauce: Ingredients of an After-Action Review
Keep in mind that an AAR is meant to be simple. As such, it involves answering just four questions, and the first two of these require almost no thought at all.
1. What did I set out to do?
2. What was the result?
3. What went well, what went wrong, and why?
4. What can I do to improve future outcomes given what I know from my answers to questions 1 through 3?
Admit it. I was right. It really is simple.
But most of us avoid taking the time to reflect in this way. We get busy; life seems to sweep us along with its current to the next challenge, and our focus changes.
Fight against this habit and instead take a few minutes to do an AAR for those things in life that are important (this might be a relationship that is struggling, your career, how you influence your child, and more).
Let’s end with an example of how this works in real life. Imagine you just had an argument with your girlfriend or boyfriend. It did not go well and after cooling off you decide to apply the AAR method in order to improve future disagreements (every romance has them).
Imagine you have a girlfriend that you are crazy about. You wanted to talk to her about a recent conflict that has not been resolved. Perhaps it is focused on her continuing to engage with her recent boyfriend on Instagram. You don’t understand why she is doing this if she is really over him (she claims he is a jerk who used her and that is why she broke up).
The following reflects how an AAR might be used and help you resolve the issue.
1. What did I set out to do?
I wanted to express my feelings about a recent disagreement in a way that strengthened our relationship. She continuing to have contact with this guy makes no sense if she is really done with him.
2. What actually happened?
I ended up raising my voice, often cut her off when she was giving an answer, and to be honest probably acted like an ass when did provide an explanation rather than ask more questions so I could better understand her perspective. My girlfriend felt attacked and shut down.
3. What went well/poorly and why?
On the positive side I made an effort to initiate the conversation instead of ignoring the issue. If this is not resolved, I don’t see how we grow closer. So this was a necessary but hard conversation we need to have. On the negative side I was so angry that I began to verbally attack her, not listen, and appeared judgmental rather than calm and interested in her perspective.
4. What can I improve, and how?
Next time, I will remind myself ahead of time to remain calm and not cut her off when she is responding. In fact I can rehearse my approach so my tone is not critical. I will also consider writing her a short note ahead of time telling her what I want to talk about, and why it is important to me. That way she will have time to think through her answers. Lastly, I will be prepared to put the discussion on hold if I get too upset, because when this happens, I start to act a little bit like a jerk. That’s not very helpful.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating After-Action Reviews into your personal life is a simple yet transformative practice. By pausing to reflect on your experiences, you can uncover valuable insights, avoid repeating mistakes.
Think of it, by avoiding repeating mistakes of the past you greatly increase the chance of success in the future. That’s a big deal.
Start small. Pick one area of your life to experiment with AARs. This may be your career, close relationships, or personal habits. Over time, you’ll find that this practice not only helps you succeed but also brings greater clarity and fulfillment to your life.
References
Di Stefano, G., Gino, F., Pisano, G. P., & Staats, B. R. (2016). Making experience count: The role of reflection in individual learning. Harvard Business School Working Paper Series, 14-093.
