If a leader sees a team performance gap, what should they primarily reflect on first?

• A. Look at yourself
• B. Increase punitive measures
• C. Outsource leadership
• D. Ignore it and hope for improvement

Answer: (A)

When a team shows a performance gap, the first step is to own the outcome and start with self-reflection. Leaders set the tone and influence the environment, so looking inward helps you identify what you may have control over—clarity of goals, prioritization, coaching, feedback frequency, resources, or removing obstacles. By examining your own actions and decisions, you can adjust leadership approach, communication, and support to better align the team’s efforts with the targets. This shift demonstrates responsibility, builds trust, and creates a culture where problems are addressed systemically rather than blamed on others, making it more likely to close the gap.

Punitive measures can undermine morale and fail to address root causes. Outsourcing leadership dodges accountability and won’t fix underlying issues. Ignoring the gap and hoping for improvement is a passive stance that rarely yields results.