Create A Habit of Reflection for More Effective Leadership
The habit of reflecting can separate extraordinary leaders from average ones. Unfortunately, reflecting is something many only do when they get unfavourable results and they want to figure out who’s responsible. One of the most powerful ways to improve your leadership is developing the skill of self-reflection.
Self-Reflection is the ability to think about your own actions and the thoughts and feelings that create them. Being able to evaluate not only what has taken place but why it has taken place. It is a thoughtful and deliberate action that allows you to use your past to effectively engage your present and future.
When we don’t self-reflect, we often just keep on doing what we’ve been doing to keep up even if we’re not getting the desired results. And we end up feeling self-doubt, stuck, and overwhelmed.
Why Some Leaders Don’t Do It
It takes time
Requires discipline
It’s Hard to look deeply at yourself
The Benefits of Self-Reflection
The moments of frustration, become growth opportunities. In those moments, you have the opportunity to develop other skills like dynamic communication and problem-solving.
When leaders foster a culture of reflection within their teams, they create room for innovation discovery, growth, and improvement.
What Can Leaders Do to Develop the Habit?
Here are some things you can put into practice to develop your reflective leadership:
1. Make Time for Self-Reflection – set an intention and set aside some time to reflect consistently, and in a structured way. Some leaders use the time to write or record an audio of their thoughts so they can revisit them to measure growth.
2. Ask Your Team Reflective Questions -Instead of always giving advice or feedback to your team members, pose questions that can help them develop more awareness and take accountability for their deliverables. Questions like:
Why did you make that decision?
Why do you think you got this outcome?
How could you have done things differently?
This new awareness can help to increase productivity, improve mindfulness and get more consistent performance in the workplace.
I work with executives to help them remove self-doubt effectively and confidently lead their teams and take their leadership and organization to the next level.
Book a free Clarity Call with me, so we can:
Pinpoint your specific goals
Understand exactly why you aren’t there yet
Agree on what’s required to get there
Be clear about what to do in the next 30 days…
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I’m Nadine Seaga and I’m a Mindset & Leadership Coach, Founder & Chief Energy Officer (CEO) of People Development Consultants. I can help you to harness your full potential and the full potential of those you lead! Schedule your Clarity Call here.