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The Critical Leadership Skill of Reflection

A Harvard Business School study found:

Employees reflecting on their work for 15 minutes at the end of their working day for 10 days performed 22.8% better compared to those who didn’t – Harvard Business School.

Leadership today is less about having all the answers and more about asking the right questions - of others and of ourselves. In a world that prizes innovation, speed, agility, and emotional intelligence, what is equally important is the critical leadership skill of reflection. Yet, it’s often overlooked in the rush to take action.


Reflection is the often-neglected skill that sets great leaders apart.


By taking time to pause, think, and learn from both successes and setbacks, leaders gain the clarity and self-awareness needed to empower others and adapt to change. In this article, we’ll explore why reflection is essential for leadership development and share practical ways to make it part of your everyday routine.


Change happens when you stop, consider why you do what you do, and experiment with new ways of being.






Contents



What Is Reflective Practice?

 

Reflective practice, often simply called reflection, is an intentional process that encourages deeper self-awareness and personal growth. At its core, it involves thoughtfully examining your experiences, actions, and decisions. Rather than just moving from one task to the next, reflection invites you to pause and critically evaluate what happened, why it happened, and how you responded.

 

This process is rooted in a growth mindset – the belief that skills and abilities can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance. By regularly reflecting, you create opportunities to identify what strategies or behaviours were effective, and where there may be room for improvement. It’s not just about dwelling on mistakes or celebrating successes, but about understanding the factors that contributed to the outcome.

 

Ultimately, reflective practice is a tool for continuous learning, allowing you to extract valuable lessons from past experiences and apply them to future challenges. Making reflection a habit equips you to navigate uncertainty, adapt to change, and make more informed decisions – essential qualities for effective leadership development.


Woman in blue top writes in a notebook at a wooden table with a laptop displaying "kinkajou," colorful mug, books, and purple bottle nearby.

 

Why Reflection Is Important For Leadership Development

 

The Foundation of Leadership Development

 

Reflection acts as the foundation for all other soft skills – empathy, communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. By pausing to examine our thoughts, actions, and outcomes, we gain insights that drive better decision-making and personal and professional leadership growth.

 

Self-Awareness and Effectiveness

 

Research consistently shows that reflection is a defining trait of effective leaders. Leaders who engage in regular reflection develop a higher degree of self-awareness, which directly correlates with leadership effectiveness. According to Harvard Business Review, the habit of reflection is what separates extraordinary professionals from the mediocre. Leaders who practice regular self-reflection become more self-aware, authentic, and effective by gaining clarity on their values, behaviours, and goals, which accelerates their growth and emotional intelligence.


 

Building Authentic Relationships

 

Reflection helps leaders understand not just what they do, but why they do it. This clarity cultivates authenticity and trust – key ingredients for building strong, supportive relationships with team members.

 

Continuous Improvement

 

Reflective leaders are committed to learning and evolving. By regularly evaluating their actions and decisions, they model a growth mindset and encourage their teams to do the same. Reflection also enables leaders to give and receive feedback more effectively – helping them deliver meaningful feedback thoughtfully and receive input openly without defensiveness. This process transforms feedback into a powerful tool for growth, cultivating a workplace culture of continuous improvement that drives higher engagement and better results.

 

Emotional Intelligence and Resilience

 

Reflection helps leaders to process emotions without judgement, strengthening their emotional intelligence – critical for effective leadership. By regularly examining their emotional responses and triggers, leaders develop greater self-awareness, enabling them to manage stress, maintain composure, and respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. Reflection also cultivates resilience by helping leaders learn from setbacks, adapt to challenges, and sustain motivation.


 





Practical Ways to Embed the Critical Leadership Skill of reflection

 

Reflective practice isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are many ways to reflect - the best are the one(s) you’ll actually use! Here are practical ways to embed reflection into your leadership development:

 

  1. Journaling


    Journaling is a powerful way to clarify your thoughts and track your growth. By putting pen to paper, you slow down your thinking and make space for deeper insights. Schedule 10 minutes a day to do this as a routine - perhaps with your morning cup of coffee or on the way home from work.


    Try prompts like:

     

    • What went well today, and why?

    • What challenged me, and what can I learn from it?

    • How did I show up as a leader?

     

    Resource For Deeper Reflection

    📚 Book: Time to Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind by Nancy Kline explores how reflective thinking can unlock leadership potential.


  2. Going for a Walk


    Physical movement, especially walking, can free your mind and encourage creative, honest reflection. Research shows that walking – especially in nature – reduces distractions and allows thoughts to surface organically. Many leaders find that a regular "walk and think" session leads to breakthroughs they’d never have at their desk.

     

    💡 Tip: Leave your phone behind or set it to Do Not Disturb to minimise interruptions.


  3. Making Audio Notes


    If writing isn’t your thing, try recording short audio reflections. Speaking your thoughts out loud can help you process emotions and ideas in real time. Audio notes are easy to revisit and can reveal patterns in your thinking and leadership style.

     

    🤔 How-to: Use your phone's audio recorder to record a quick daily or weekly reflection.


  4. Drawing


    For visual thinkers, drawing or mind-mapping can be a powerful way to reflect. Sketching out ideas, challenges, or emotions can help you see connections and solutions that aren’t obvious in words. This method is especially helpful for processing complex or ambiguous situations.

     

    💭 Prompt: Try drawing a timeline of your week, highlighting key moments and how you felt at each point.


  5. Talking Out Loud


    Some leaders process best by talking things through – even if it’s just with themselves. Find a private space and verbalise your thoughts about a recent decision or interaction. You could use voice memos or talk with a trusted peer or coach for added perspective.

     

    Resource For Deeper Reflection 

    🎧 Podcast: “Coaching for Leaders with Dave Stachowiak often explores reflective leadership and practical self-reflection techniques.


  6. Peer Reflection


    Pair up with another leader or colleague for regular reflection sessions. Share experiences, ask each other questions, and offer feedback. This mutual accountability can deepen your insights and help you see blind spots.


  7. Structured Prompts


    Use specific, targeted questions to guide your reflection and avoid getting stuck in vague generalities.


    The Four Fs Model by Dr. Roger Greenaway offers a framework for reflective practice. It covers the key aspects to consider when reviewing an experience.


    The questions within each section are prompts - feel free to use what is useful.


Reflective Tool table by Dr. Roger Greenaway titled "The Four F's Model," with columns for Facts, Feelings, Findings, and Future.

  1. Mindfulness and Meditation


    Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or breathing, can create the mental space needed for reflection. Even a few minutes of focused breathing can help you step back, observe your thoughts, and gain perspective.


    Resource For Deeper Reflection 

    🎥 Video: Simon Sinek’s “How Reflection Informs Personal Growth” is a great introduction to mindful reflection in leadership.


    Simon Sinek: How Reflection Informs Personal Growth





Making Reflection a Habit

 

Reflection is powerful when it’s consistent. Here’s how to build it into your routine:

 

Set a regular time: Block out time daily or weekly – whether it’s a morning journal, a lunchtime walk, or a Friday voice note.

 

Start small: Begin with five minutes and build up as it becomes a habit. Aim to block out 30 minutes a week to have the space to think.

 

Use reminders: Set calendar alerts or keep a reflection journal on your desk as a visual cue.

 

Be honest, not harsh: Approach your reflections with curiosity and self-compassion, not criticism.

 

Track your growth: Periodically review past reflections to notice patterns, progress, and areas for continued improvement.


Take action: Design small experiments such as reframing assumptions, acting differently, and resourcing yourself with tools to help.

 





Resources for Deeper Reflection

 

We've collated our recommended resources for deeper reflection to help you along your leadership journey.


📚 Books



📄 Articles



🎧 Podcasts



🎥 Videos


 

Conclusion


Reflection isn’t about navel-gazing or overthinking – it’s about learning, growing, and leading with intention. Effective leaders make time to pause, ask themselves tough questions, and act on what they learn. Whether you journal, walk, draw, talk, or meditate, the key is to find a method that fits your style and stick with it.


By making reflection a regular practice, you’ll likely become a better leader and create ripples of growth in your team and organisation.

 

Ready to get started? Pick a method and try it out this week. Notice what you learn about yourself - and how that shapes your leadership development moving forward.


➡️ Need some extra support?

 

 

 

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