Before you dive into goals, to-do lists, and fixing all the things, it’s worth hitting pause… and really listening.

The 4 L’s is a tool to help you and your team reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and where you want to go next. I borrowed the tool from Dom Price at Atlassian, and it’s become a go-to in our strategy sessions, team check-ins, and even solo reflections.

Check out the video below to see the 4 L’s in action!

 

 

what are the 4 L’s?

 

It’s not about KPIs or performance metrics… it’s about people.

It all comes down to asking these 4 questions that will help you uncover what’s really going on inside your business or with the individuals in your team.

Here’s what you ask:

  • Love: What have you loved lately? What’s working? What’s brought energy or joy?
  • Loathe: What’s dragging you down? What’s been frustrating or just plain annoying?
  • Learned: What have you learned recently? Wins, mistakes, lightbulb moments… they all count.
  • Long for: What do you wish was happening? What’s missing? What are you craving more of?

It works whether you’re reflecting on the business, your team or keeping it personal. Some of the best conversations often come from experiences beyond the day-to-day.

 

why it works

 

Let’s be honest, most planning sessions jump straight into what’s broken. But if you start there, you miss the full picture.

The 4 L’s creates space for people to share what they’ve enjoyed, what’s been hard, what they’ve picked up along the way, and where they want to head next. And that creates clarity, connection, and context… before you dive into the big stuff.

 

how to use the 4 L’s

 

You can run it live on a whiteboard or send out a worksheet beforehand so people come in prepped. Either way, it’s not just a fluffy icebreaker; it’s a practical tool to get your finger on the pulse of your people and your business.

 

want to give it a crack?

 

We’ve put together a worksheet to help you run the 4 L’s with your team, or just for yourself if you want a clear-headed check-in.

Use it to kick off your next planning session or leadership meeting, because sometimes, the best strategy starts by just listening.

Download the worksheet here.

 

we’re here to help

 

If you need a hand working through the 4 L’s with your team or your overall business strategy, I’m here to help. Reach out to me at j.knight@businessdepot.com.au or give us a buzz on 1300BDEPOT to chat it through!

 

Note: I want to acknowledge Dom Price of Atlassian who first made me aware of the 4 L’s tool

 

want more from us?

 

If you found this article helpful and want more business advisory insights, sign up to our mailing list below!