The “Hot Shot Rule” To Help You Become a Better Leader | Kat Cole | TED

Summary

In this powerful speech, the speaker emphasizes that confidence is built through consistent action rather than waiting for it to emerge. Drawing on personal experiences, including lessons from their mother’s resilience, the speaker introduces the 'hot shot rule'—a technique for self-coaching by imagining someone you admire in your role and acting on what they would do differently. This practice helps break complacency, fosters growth, and encourages regular reflection and action. Ultimately, the message is about taking bold actions, both big and small, to continuously improve and build confidence in every aspect of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Confidence is built through action, not just by thinking positively or being bold. Regular action helps develop confidence over time.
• 😀 The process of building confidence is about overcoming complacency and continuously pushing yourself to take action, even in good times.
• 😀 Sometimes, taking action in tough times is easier because options are limited, but the real challenge lies in taking action when things are comfortable.
• 😀 Personal growth comes from self-coaching and recognizing when complacency sets in, driving yourself to do more and better regularly.
• 😀 The speaker learned the importance of action from their mother, who acted decisively to leave an unhealthy situation and build a better life for her family.
• 😀 Self-coaching techniques, such as imagining someone you admire in your role, can help inspire and motivate you to act and improve.
• 😀 The 'Hot Shot Rule' is a practice where you regularly envision someone you admire in your role and ask yourself how they would act differently to improve the situation.
• 😀 The Hot Shot Rule involves taking action within 24 hours of identifying something that can be improved and then communicating the changes made to the relevant team members.
• 😀 By practicing the Hot Shot Rule consistently, the speaker improved their leadership effectiveness and personal growth through actions like holding people accountable or apologizing when needed.
• 😀 The Hot Shot Rule is most effective when practiced regularly—weekly, for instance—and helps you build a reputation for vulnerability, accountability, and quick action.

Q & A

What is the definition of confidence as described in the script?

Confidence is the reliance or assurance in someone's abilities or qualities, which is shown through actions.

How can confidence be developed according to the speaker?

Confidence is developed through action. It’s about consistently taking action, learning from it, and improving over time.

What does the speaker say about the relationship between action and confidence?

The speaker believes that action precedes confidence, not the other way around. By taking action regularly, confidence is built over time.

Why does the speaker think it’s easier to take bold action during tough times?

In tough times, there are fewer options, so people often act out of necessity. However, the real challenge is taking action when things are going well, as complacency can set in.

What life lesson did the speaker learn from their mother?

The speaker learned the power of action from their mother, who took decisive steps to leave their father despite the challenges. This taught them the importance of action in personal growth and improvement.

What is the 'hot shot rule' mentioned in the script?

The 'hot shot rule' involves envisioning someone you admire in your role, asking what they would do differently, acting on it within 24 hours, and then telling others about the actions taken.

How does the speaker apply the hot shot rule in their personal and professional life?

The speaker applies the hot shot rule by reflecting on their role as a mother, daughter, and CEO, imagining someone they admire in their position, and then taking proactive actions based on that reflection.

What is the importance of proactively practicing the hot shot rule?

Proactively practicing the hot shot rule helps to maintain a bias for action, break through complacency, and drive continuous growth, leading to improvements and enhanced leadership.

How has practicing the hot shot rule impacted the speaker’s leadership?

Practicing the hot shot rule has helped the speaker make more decisive actions, foster a reputation for vulnerability and accountability, and encourage their team to take initiative as well.

What does the speaker suggest is the key to cutting through complacency?

The key to cutting through complacency is reflection, intentional action, and regularly challenging yourself to break past patterns in order to drive growth and confidence.