Self-Reflection as a Leader
Self-reflection is the practice of observing one’s own behavior and evaluating the effectiveness of one’s actions for self-development and improvement (Marques, 2017; Spurgeon, 2009). Kellogg Insight (2016) noted that leaders need to reduce the noise in the environment and use solitude to consider values, personal example, priorities and preparation to prevent unwelcome surprises. The argument was made that leaders must practice self-reflection, which enhances self-leadership, to be able to lead others (Kellogg Insight, 2016). Polizzi and Frick (2012) stated that self-reflection allows one to learn from past experiences, which may challenge prior conceptualizations, and result in increased emotional awareness.
Self-Reflection
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Various authors have proposed approaches to self-reflection (Kellogg Insight, 2016; Saperstein, Lilje, & Seibert, 2015; Stein, 2009). In beginning courses, medical students were asked to identify reactions to patients to consider the impact attitudes can have on clinical practice (Saperstein et al., 2015). Saperstein et al. (2015) noted that self-reflection was further enhanced for students through panels, prompted reflective writing, and discussion of the exercises in small groups.
Stein (2009) proposed a reflection typology tool for coaches which would allow classification of the coach role from the client session transcripts. For example, the coach may act as the problem solver, narrative listener, action facilitator, expert, guide or supporter at any point in the session (Stein, 2009). As the coach identifies the role, it may lead to positive adjustments in future coaching sessions (Stein, 2009).
Asking oneself specific daily questions about leadership, sources of pride, accomplishments and challenges was proposed by Kellogg Insight (2016). The answers to these questions can then be used to enrich leadership attributes. Marque (2016) also proposed asking specific daily questions to make sense of one’s actions, increase actions leading to improvement, and prevent harm to
This reflection is sought about through the use of reflective cycles, for example Gibbs (1988). Reflection enables the student to develop his or her own theories behind why an event occurred, this is also achieved by linking theory to practice in order to gain a deeper understanding (Levett C. 2010, Stonehouse D. 2011). For this practice placement portfolio the reflective cycle that I have chosen is The Reflective Cycle by Gibbs (See appendix one) (Gibbs 1988). Although it wasn’t made predominantly for reflection through nursing scenarios, as it was developed for educational purposes, it does give the student a cycle which can be used easily to analyse their event in a linear fashion. Although Gibbs reflective cycle is one which is mainly focused on the event itself, rather than the knowledge that can be sought from delving further into the reasoning behind an event, it does create a cycle which allows the individual to focus on their actions and the reasoning behind what they did.
“Pausing for reflection allows the space to separate logic and emotions; it allows us to understand all of the contributing factors and dynamics and to separate the personal from the systemic” (Young, Boulton, & Liddell, 2016, p.42). As a reflective leader, I can challenge my assumptions, asks relevant questions and endeavor to make sense of my experiences. Being an effective leader is of paramount importance to me. As an effective leader, I can reflect to improve, effect change for the betterment of an organization, and hold integrity as the mantra of my leadership style. The use of structured reflection is central to sustain and enhance professional and personal effectiveness.
For the purpose of this assignment I have chosen to reflect on not knowing how to treat a confused patient with dementia. During this experience I felt like I was of no help to the patient and as a result I was useless to the staff. I felt like this because I didn’t know how to talk to this lady. I didn’t understand how to act or what to say to fix the situation.
The Process of Reflection The process of reflection is central to clinical supervision. Launer (2003) describes external and internal factors in supervision whereby clinical practice and sharing skills are external and reflection is an ‘internal conversation.’ Brunero & Stein-Parbury (2008) discussed the effects of clinical supervision in nursing staff and argued that self-reflection generates a sense of self-awareness and knowledge to the individual. Supervisees or students may be asked what happened during a clinical event, how they felt, the implications of their actions and what they would do differently if faced with the same situation.
CULTIVATING REFLECTION-IN-ACTION & REFLECTION-ON-ACTION Reflection is loosely defined as the way we learn from an experience in order to understand and develop practice. Reflection is a means of processing thoughts and feelings about an incident, and gives us a chance to come to terms with our thoughts and feelings about it. For example, if something did not go the way you wanted it, we would tend to reflect on it by asking ourselves questions such as why did it go wrong and how did it go wrong. John Dewey’s theory of Reflective Practice John Dewey (1933) was among the first to identify reflection as a specialised form of thinking.
What is reflection? Reflection is described as the process individuals use for self-development in their future career. The process of reflection has been used for many years in professional health fields such as midwifery and nursing (Lillyman. S & Merrix. P, 2012). Florence nightingale pioneered the practice known as reflection-on-practice, this is a tool that is needed in developing improvement and knowledge to enable an individual to grow in their nursing profession.
By taking the time to review my experiences, I can identify what went well and areas where I can improve. Self-reflection helps me recognize patterns, understand the impact of my actions on patients and the healthcare team, and gain insight
Reflection is like looking in a mirror and describing what you see. It’s about thinking back to an experience and questioning what I did, and emotions that I felt during the experience, and then reflecting on a better and more sufficient way of doing it in the future (UNISON, 2016). Gibbs Reflective Cycle is the model that I have chosen to use while reflecting back on the module “Learning from service users and carers”, Gibbs believes that this module is useful for helping people learn from what that they experienced. He calls this “Learning by Doing” (Mind Tools, 2016). When finding out that a module I would cover on the social work degree was learning from service users and carers, my initial thought was care homes and carers within them.
“…the way that we learn from an experience in order to Understand and develop practice” (Jasper 2003) Reflection is a way of going through thoughts and feelings about an incident, or a challenging day and gives us a chance
Self-leadership in its simplest term is the leadership of oneself. However, how one leads themselves and if they do so effectively determines whether their leadership journey will become a transformational one or not (Neck, Manz, & Houghton, 2017). This transformational journey of self-leadership must begin by discovering one’s vocation, mastering mindfulness, and feeding one’s curiosity as these three tools lay the foundation from upon which to build. Self-Leadership Self-leadership, grounded in behavioral and cognitive strategies, “addresses not only how but also what and why” to aid in positivity and productivity (Neck et al., 2017). By focusing one’s attention on behavioral and cognitive strategies, you are shaping and reshaping yourself.
Description Reflection is a necessary component in learning to regulate opinion, feelings, and actions. Reflection links experience and knowledge by providing an opportunity to explore areas of concern in a critical way and to make adjustments based on these reflections (Knowles Z., Tyler G., 2006). I will be using the Gibbs G (1988) Learning by Doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods (Davies S., 2012).
1.2 Overview of Self-Awareness When self-awareness is used, it means to what extent people are aware of their thinking pattern, traits, feelings and behavior (Brown, 2012). Fletcher and Bailey (2003) state that it is possible to preview at our own self-assessment and assessment made by other people in relation to self-awareness for instance, the scope of which we can exactly recognise how others observe us. In the same way, Yammarino and Atwater (1997) identify self-awareness as an adeptness of an individual to view own performance related to a specific criteria and then, evaluate others assessment of the individual and monitor precisely linking the two consequences. Fletcher and Bailey (2003) states the relationship between self-awareness and performance is significant when assessing self-awareness and further presents
Individual Reflective Paper Introduction Leadership, a controversial concept, has been studied for centuries. Scholars who study leadership have argued with the insight of leadership for many decades and finally promote a wide range of understandings of it. This course “values and leadership” introduces the basic principles and concepts about leadership, and provides us with some conceptual knowledge and practical approaches to be an outstanding leaders. I chose to take this course because I am interested in the topic about leadership.
Through self-reflection and academic readings, I have discovered that I identify with three different leadership theories. During the first meeting in a Strength Based Leadership class, we were asked to write our leadership history. The class then began an ongoing exploration of various leadership theories. Upon reviewing my leadership history from the first class and synthesizing the information from the theories that were examined, I discovered that I most resonate with the Trait Leadership Theory, the Skills Leadership Theory, and the Path-Goal Leadership theory. These theories are leader focused, describing the process and techniques a leader uses to accomplish goals.
People who self-reflect look at what motivates them; where they are coming from and why they are coming from there. When there is equality between their actions and the integrity of their intent then they make a good leader. Daenerys Targaryen, in Game of Thrones is one such leader. Daenerys earned her designation of leader from the people she led. When we are self-aware, we judge ourselves by our intentions but other people judge us by our actions.