Looking Back, Moving Forward

In this lecture, we delve into the crucial practice of conducting a crisis retrospective, or "crisis retro," a structured conversation that families can engage in following a challenging experience or emergency situation. The session opens with reflections on the collective emotions that surface when returning home after a crisis—a mixture of relief, exhaustion, frustration, and even regret. By facing these feelings, the importance of evaluating the experience becomes apparent, as families recount their stories and assess what aspects were successful or problematic. The crisis retrospective is framed as a method for reflection that builds resilience. The lecture emphasizes that addressing these questions—what worked, what didn’t, and what can be improved—should be viewed as an opportunity for growth rather than as a sign of failure. The approach encourages participants to shift focus from blame to constructive learning; identifying problems without pointing fingers helps maintain team unity and promotes a culture of resilience. Instead of assigning fault, the session advocates for examining the systems and actions taken during the crisis to derive meaningful insights. A key takeaway from the lecture is the notion that every disruption acts as a rehearsal for future challenges. Through this lens, families are encouraged to recognize that preparedness is a process of continual improvement rather than a one-time achievement. By framing frustrations as building blocks rather than setbacks, families can turn stress into strength, enhancing their ability to cope with future emergencies. An actionable step is presented toward the end of the lecture: families are invited to allocate 15 minutes to engage in this retrospective process collectively. This simple yet powerful exercise requires each family member to contribute their thoughts on three questions: what went well, what did not, and what actions will be taken moving forward. The importance of documenting these answers is highlighted, as capturing insights helps create a tangible plan for improvement. The session also encourages families to select at least one specific action to implement in the coming week, reinforcing the idea that every family member can contribute to resilience-building practices. The discussion wraps up with a preview of next week's topic, which will focus on the strategies for sheltering in place when evacuation is not the safest option. The lecture reinforces the broader message that preparedness encompasses both leaving a situation and holding one's ground when necessary, embodying a holistic approach to safety and resilience-building.

Episode Transcript

(03:14):
The family gathers around the kitchen table the day after returning home.
There's relief. I mean, let's face it, it's good to be home,
safe, and back in familiar surroundings.
But alongside that relief sits exhaustion, some frustration,
and maybe even a little regret.
As coffee cups are refilled and stories from the week are shared,

(03:35):
the same questions hang in the air.
What worked? What didn't work? What do we do differently next time?
These questions aren't signs of failure. They're signs of growth.
This is the moment where you choose whether the experience just drains you or
whether it makes you stronger.
At Amcon, we call this practice a crisis retrospective or crisis retro for short.

(04:00):
It's a short, structured conversation designed to capture lessons while they're
still fresh. The goal is simple.
Look, it's reflection builds resilience. By looking back with clear eyes,
you can gain insights that make the next challenge easier.
But here's the key. Blame divides.

(04:20):
Learning unites. If the retro turns into finger pointing, you'll fraction the
very team you're trying to strengthen.
Instead, focus on systems, actions, and outcomes. Ask what happened, not who messed up.
Every disruption is also a rehearsal. Every time you evacuate,
shelter, or face a setback, you're building capacity.

(04:43):
Preparedness isn't about being perfect the first time. It's about getting better every time.
When you frame it that way, even the frustrations of the week become building blocks of resilience.
So here's today's action step. I want you to set aside 15 minutes today with
your family, the whole family, even the kids. Everybody has an opinion.

(05:07):
And I want you to walk through three simple questions.
What went well? What did not go well? What will we do differently next time?
And write the answers down. Don't just talk about them, capture them.
Then choose one action you will take this week to improve your system.
Bonus points if everybody walks away with an action.

(05:29):
It could be buying a second gas can, updating your communications plan,
or stocking more shelf-stable meals. The point is not to relieve the stress,
to relive the stress rather, but to turn stress into strength.
Next week, we shift from the road back to home, exploring how to shelter in

(05:50):
place when staying put is the safer call.
Because preparedness isn't just about leaving, sometimes it's about holding your ground.
Thanks as always for listening to the AMCON Daily Brief. If you are already
a member, thank you, we appreciate it.
Make sure you check out the resources available only to our members on our members
platform or on the ACID app.

(06:11):
And if you're not a member yet, you can take advantage of the same resources
available to members just by heading over to AmericanContingency.com and joining
the network that helps you start building real resilience today.
My name's Tom Rigsby. Stay alert, stay ready, and I'll talk to you again tomorrow.