Reflecting on Your Leadership Practice

Abstract

Many recently retired nurse leaders tell me that one of the joys of retirement has been the gift of time to reflect on their leadership practice and lessons learned during their leadership career. Too often while working, leaders either make or have little time to reflect on their leadership practices. When confronted with challenges, nurse leaders often stay in motion and keep putting out fires, especially during this time of constant change. Yet, this is not the path to wisdom. Experience is only as valuable as how we choose to use it. Confucius observed that we learn wisdom by 3 methods: “First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”1Confucius. Confucius quotes. Brainy Quote website.Available at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/confucius_131984Date accessed: June 6, 2018Google Scholar Until we reflect on situations looking at our own behaviors and actions, we may not develop the new insights needed that might lead us to act differently in the future. Instead of constant acceleration, we need to at times just stop and think. It is important to examine events and ask ourselves how they have shaped the way we see the world, others, and ourselves. Jennifer Ross2Ross J Why you should make time for self-reflection (even if you hate it).Harv Bus Rev. March 21, 2017; Available at: https://hbr.org/2017/03/why-you-should-make-time-for-self-reflection-even-if-you-hate-doing-itDate accessed: June 8, 2018Google Scholar notes that reflection requires leaders to do a number of things they typically don't like to do such as slowing down and not acting, becoming more curious about their own effectiveness, and taking personal responsibility. The act of reflection can help build our resiliency. It offers us the opportunity to go back and think through what we would do differently the next time instead of ruminating about the outcomes of our actions. It is proactive versus reactive thinking. Leaders are sometimes reluctant to do this because it is a tough process. It makes us take an honest look at ourselves, our strengths, our weakness, and where we need to improve. Reflection is needed to become a truly authentic leader. It requires a level of self-awareness that can only be achieved by a conscious commitment to learning about ourselves. You need to take the time to recognize your own emotions, and how they affect your thoughts and behavior. Knowing yourself is a process that can only take place internally. You can begin the self-reflection process by asking yourself deliberate questions that are designed to give insights into how you work. An exercise that many executive coaches give to their leader clients is to ask them to write a letter to themselves addressed to their younger self, just starting on a leadership path including advice based on what they know today. It is important to understand what experiences and people have influenced the way we lead. Self-reflection always provides an opportunity to explore our growth and how we may have changed our viewpoints over time. Some leaders, especially in the early stages of a new role, have found reflective journaling to be helpful. The act of writing down your ideas can help to clarify thinking. The Center for Creative Leadership in North Carolina offers some valuable advice on how to do this.3Center for Creative Leadership How journaling can improve your resiliency.Available at: https://www.ccl.org/multimedia/podcast/reflection-for-resilience-2/Date accessed: June 8, 2018Google Scholar They recommend using the following format to evaluate experiences that may be shaking your equilibrium. •The event or experience—What happened? Describe it as objectively as possible, sticking to the facts. Who was involved? Where did it happen? When did it happen?•Your reaction—What was your reaction? Describe it as factually and objectively as possible. What did you do? What were your thoughts? What were your feelings?•The lessons—What did you learn from both the event and from your reaction to it? Did the event suggest a development need that you should address? Do you see a pattern in your reactions? Nurse executives can help their younger leaders become more reflective by asking these questions when coaching them through challenging situations. Increasingly, we now see reflection being added to leadership competency models. Your leadership experiences are only as valuable as what you do with them, and this requires reflection. It is a skill that you will also want to recommend to the staff that you coach. Peter Drucker, considered the father of modern American management, is often quoted as saying, “Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From quiet reflection will come more effective action.”4Drucker Institute High time for think time.Available at: http://www.druckerinstitute.com/2011/02/high-time-for-think-time/Date: February 16, 2011Date accessed: June 8, 2018Google Scholar