I really don't have time for that...

Last week, a client told me one of the secrets of my coaching successes: "Dear Ms Segschneider, I have to admit that I have 'cursed' your weekly 'Reflection Action Tasks' many times and I remember very well when I told you at the beginning that I could not fit regular reflection into my tight timetable - now, after a year of working with you, I know that reflection is a decisive key to my success. Thank you for the sometimes annoying follow-up.

Yes, I never tire of reminding my clients: take your time. Time to reflect on your actions. If you want to improve your leadership skills, you must regularly become aware of your strengths and weaknesses, your values and behaviours, and the way you lead and act. Becoming self-aware of behaviour - reflecting on it - strengthens self-confidence and thus leadership sovereignty.

Non-negotiable

I am convinced that 'reflection time' must be 'non-negotiable' in the calendar. Confucius already wrote:

By three methods, we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.

The practice is different: I have had countless conversations with corporate executives about the 'reflection-action cycle' over the past twenty years. The most common response at the beginning of the coaching journey: "Oh, no - I don't have time for that. Everyday life eats me up." On further enquiry, it usually turns out that they, for one, thought that any kind of reflection was time-consuming, a luxury - some even believe that if there is a 'Reflection-Time' slot in the calendar, it is seen by others as a waste of time or, at best, negotiable. I think this is a serious misconception. Successful and effective leaders reflect deeply and regularly. Deeply does not mean time-consuming. Quick reflection techniques also lead to success. I develop effective techniques for this in my coaching sessions. Reflection work is Prio 1.

A reflection action journal that is kept sustainably is a treasure of gold. Keeping at it is crucial. Even if it's only two minutes a day. After 30 days, there are already 30 sentences in the reflection action journal - after a year, you have built up a 'reflection action bank'. Which action was successful? Which one is less so?

Have the courage!

Reflection action means - making the reflection cycle a habit: Reflect on your (new) action - Action (= implement the reflection) - Reflect - Action - Reflect etc. Action x reflection equals learning. Just start. Reflect regularly: What makes my actions successful? What could I do differently/better? What is the next small step? Action is all you need to do to try a new behaviour—trying out behaviour that is familiar to you in a new situation or context—trying things in a new way. Experiment. Reflect. Before, during and after the action/inaction itself.

Success has two letters: DO

Before the action, reflect: Where is my opportunity? What exactly am I going to do? How much do I go out of my comfort zone? Doing something that is easy and familiar over and over again doesn't really help to learn. Then experimenting, getting to that edge where I'm not sure if this is going to work or not, I'm not sure what will happen here. That's where you're going to start finding new ways, getting comfortable with new methods and maximising your learning. So keep thinking about where am I going to try something new? And then reflect: How do I make sure I actually follow up on this with some reflection? Do I need to fine-tune? What works? What doesn't? And then afterwards, how did that go? What worked well? What do I want to keep next time? What do I want to work on? Get back into this cycle of action and reflection every day. Try something out. Try something, reflect. Accelerating this cycle increases your learning.

I am happy to accompany you in this process.

[Translate to English:] shutterstock.com | marekuliasz