26. Stop Running Weekly Post Mortem's: Lead With Signals, Not Results

Stuck in weekly “postmortems” that explain what went wrong but don’t change what happens next? In this episode, Britt shows how to move from reactive leadership to proactive coaching by leading with signals*, not just outcomes. We unpack why teams slip into a “weekly postmortem” loop and how to break it. 👉🏼 The trap: spending more time “explaining performance than actually influencing” it. 👉🏼 Outcomes vs. behaviors: outcomes tell “how the story ends”; leaders need a “play by play.” 👉🏼 Why signals create direction: build conversations “around signals,” so reps know where to focus now. 👉🏼 A simple shift for your next 1:1: instead of “what happened?” ask “what’s happening?” TakeawayIf your meetings start with results, you’re leading from the past; switch to early indicators you can still shape.*SalesScreen can automate these signals with built‑in AI, but the mindset works with any stack.Best Moments(0:01) Topic intro: seeing signals too late and reactive management. (1:46) Numbers-first meetings = leadership after the fact; the “weekly postmortem.” (4:16) Symptom check: “explaining performance rather than actually influencing.” (6:07) Shift to signals: direction, not explanations. (8:06) Outcomes vs behaviors: “where you landed” vs “where you’re going.” (9:56) Try this: start meetings with “what’s happening?”