Don’t Tell Me What Went Wrong. Tell Me What We Do Now.

I’m not the kind of leader who needs a detailed report on whose fault it was. That’s not how you move a team forward. When something breaks, I want to know what we’re doing to fix it—and how we make sure it doesn’t happen again.

I’ve worked in high-growth environments, launched new markets, and stepped into roles mid-crisis. The same pattern always shows up: when pressure hits, teams either freeze, deflect, or move. My job is to help them move.

Focus Is a Choice

There’s a time and place for a post-mortem. But in the moment, I care more about what’s actionable than what’s already behind us. Energy is a finite resource in any team. I want to spend it solving—not circling.

It’s not about ignoring the past. It’s about not getting stuck in it.

Why This Works

People thrive when they feel seen, trusted, and directed. If your first response to a mistake is blame, you create fear. If your response is clarity, action, and ownership—you create momentum.

I’ve led teams through product launches that were behind schedule, solar projects that hit bureaucratic walls, and sales teams that couldn’t hit pipeline targets. In every case, the fastest way forward wasn’t to run an audit. It was to realign, act fast, and learn while doing.

What I Look for Instead

• What’s the real blocker here?
• What’s within our control today?
• Who can lead the next step?
• How do we make sure this doesn’t repeat?

This mindset also builds trust. People know I won’t throw them under the bus. But they also know I expect forward movement—always.

Leadership Is Action, Not Analysis

There’s a reason I prefer rolling up my sleeves over writing long post-mortem slides. It’s because leadership is about where you direct your team’s attention. I choose the road ahead.

If you’re navigating a tough moment or growing through change, I’d love to connect. I write about real-world leadership, growth, and team culture here and on X @rlivain and LinkedIn.