Stop, Start, Shift, Continue: The Best Questions to Ask Before Year-End
Lead the Standard with ATOL
<p>When you think about quality leadership, what comes to mind first? Systems? Standards? Spreadsheets? What if it were something a little more human?This week, we’re reflecting on what leadership in quality looks like right now—and how a global conference full of passionate professionals offered more than just ideas. It offered a glimpse into the future of our profession.In this episode of Lead the Standard, hosts Kelly Taylor and Jackie Stapleton explore how the end of the year presents a unique opportunity for strategic reflection and leadership beyond mere reporting. They introduce an 'Action Grid' model that includes four key quadrants—stop doing, start doing, do differently, and continue to do—as a tool for making impactful end-of-year adjustments. The episode underscores the importance of intentional, data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and celebrating existing strengths to enhance team morale and efficacy. Listeners are encouraged to map their key activities onto the Action Grid and engage in honest reflection to set themselves up for success in the upcoming year. The episode also teases their next topic: effective planning and execution of remote, onsite, and hybrid audits under the new ISO 19011 guidelines.Notable timestamps:• 00:00 Year-End Reflections: A New Approach• 00:31 Welcome Back: Reconnecting with Our Audience• 01:51 Strategic Reflection: Preparing for the Year-End• 02:13 Introducing the Action Grid: A Tool for Smart Adjustments• 09:48 Deep Dive: The Four Quadrants of the Action Grid• 12:43 Stop Doing: Eliminating Low-Value Activities• 23:13 Start Doing: Seizing New Opportunities• 30:33 Identifying Areas for Improvement• 30:48 Recognizing High Value but Poor Execution• 33:50 Learning from Feedback and Lessons• 39:02 Acknowledging Strengths and Effective Practices• 45:08 Applying the Action Grid for Continuous Improvement• 49:58 Summary and Final ThoughtsThe usual links:• Read the LTS Article: https://blog.auditortrainingonline.com/lead-the-standard/2025-21• ATOL: https://auditortrainingonline.com/ • Connect with Jackie:o https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiestapleton/o https://jackiestapleton.com/ • Connect with Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellytaylor-au/Other links we promised:• Jackies Book is coming register for pre-sale now…. https://jackiestapleton.myflodesk.com/leadthestandardbook Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Auditor Training Online (ATOL) or its affiliated entities.While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information shared, including references to ISO standards and related clauses, this content should not be considered definitive legal, regulatory, or professional advice. Listeners should always consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to their specific business context or compliance obligations.Unless otherwise stated, all information relating to ISO standards, including clause references and revision details, is based on the version of the standard current at the time of recording and publication. As standards are periodically reviewed and updated, we encourage listeners to confirm the latest version applicable to their needs.© Auditor Training Online Pty Ltd 2025. All Rights Reserved | www.auditortrainingonline.com</p>