02 Apr
In 2013, I was featured in Forbes.
The article was about asking hard questions in business. And the question I shared then is still one of the most powerful diagnostic I know:
“If someone else took over your business tomorrow, what’s the first thing they would change?”
It’s a gut punch. And that’s the point.
Usually the first response is “Everything,” followed by nervous laughter. But once that’s on the table, you can dig in.
This question forces you to look at your business from an outsider’s perspective. It cuts through the noise and surfaces the things you’ve been sweeping under the rug for months or even years.
I can promise you: as soon as you ask this question, you’re going to have a list of at least three to five items that are glaringly obvious. The things you already know need to change but haven’t addressed.
And if you have a team, take it a step further. Ask each of your leaders, managers, or team members:
“If someone else took over your job tomorrow, what’s the first thing they would change?”
That version is even harder. And even more valuable.
When I shared this in 2013, I had worked with around 100 companies. Now it’s over 200. The question still works every single time.
Why? Because we all have blind spots. We all have things we’ve normalized that an outsider would fix on day one. And unlike a SWOT analysis or internal review, this question only surfaces the most critical issues. The ones actually blocking your productivity, profitability, and growth.
The answers might be uncomfortable. But uncomfortable is where progress starts.
What would someone change if they took over your business tomorrow? You probably already know the answer.