The importance of reflective practice

I recently spent time catching up on what people were posting on LinkedIn. I was inspired, informed, and found new connections. After some time, I wondered, should I not already know this stuff? I felt a little worried and experienced the fear of missing out (FOMO) rising in me. What seemed like hours later, I realized I was in a trance, scrolling through pages of information. I wondered: what will I do with all this information? Where would I find the time to reflect, try out, and integrate the information presented on these platforms? Or am I just saving this information for later? Is this yet another thing to do in the future?

Thankfully, I detached from scrolling (or doom scrolling) and began thinking about time and how quickly it flies past us. I asked myself: what do I want to do with my time, and how and who do I want to include in my continued journey? Time is a precious resource, and there are not enough places to pause and step off the fast train of modern life.

Most of us, I guess (like me), feel the pressure of endless to-do lists and keeping up with new theories and emerging ideas (like on LinkedIn). That’s not even counting the responsibilities of family, friendships, and colleagues. Managing complexity and uncertainty is now the norm, and I wonder about the spaces in life where we can be heard, tease out ideas, and be available for others in deeper and more impactful ways. We need to be deliberate about pausing to think... slowly, take a deep breath and without pressure so we can allow new possibilities to emerge from the mind, body, and spirit, and from trusted others.

In Brené Brown's book Dare to Lead she quotes @Harriet Lerner: “To listen with the same passion with which we want to be heard.” This quality of listening requires a commitment to the other person, an open heart and mind in service of the other. Brené talks about courageous conversations and a commitment to a type of dialogue that is not superficial or hurried—one that takes care to set up and fosters improved relationality and intention.

Coming back to the question of how we use our time, I reflected on spaces for people to gather, connect, and share stories and challenges that create community and connection—rather than leaving us alone, scrolling online for inspiration. It was a reminder and a shout-out for the use of reflective practice.

Reflective practice can be experienced in groups, such as group or peer supervision. It can take place in dyads, in supervision with a more experienced practitioner, or as an individual in activities like journaling. What is important is the deliberate pause—a time for self-reflection that disrupts us from merely collecting information or accumulating more hours of practice and learning. Reflective practice helps us use, discern, and notice what we have done: What went well? What went less well? What did we learn about ourselves? What could we do differently (or better) next time?

I have worked with clinical supervisors for many years, particularly during complex consulting engagements, and this has helped me build my capacity. Joining a reflective practice group in 2018 added to this experience—learning from colleagues with different experiences, being heard, and being held in community.

Organisational practitioners, consultants, leaders, and coaches often have to manage many complex needs of others and are regularly left holding these demands alone and in isolation. Professor Peter Hawkins explains that reflective practice (inc supervision) aims to deepen an individual’s capacity for personal self-awareness, reflective capacity, professional judgment, and ethical decision-making. It also provides essential collegiate support and builds awareness and dialogic skills, enabling professionals to meet challenges more authentically and confidently. I would argue that reflective practice is needed even more in our VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) organisational settings and in addressing climate change challenges.

A recent post by Professor Jonathan Passmore provided a timely reminder of the Henley8: eight reflective questions from Henley Business School—a guide to a self-reflection learning process for any form of reflective practice. I share them again here, with my thanks to Professor Passmore and Henley Business School.

1. What did I observe?

2. What was my response?

3. What does this tell me about me?

4. What does this tell me about myself as a professional?

5. What strength does this offer?

6. What are the potential pitfalls?

7. What did I learn?

8. What will I do differently next time?

?For me, reflective practice is one of the ways I slow down notice and bring awareness to our experience and work from an open mind and heart.? Hope this article has been a good use of your time!?

#WorkplaceWellbeing #EmployeeEngagement #Leadership #PsychologicalSafety #OrganisationalCulture #reflectivepractice #Supervision #Support #leadershipdevelopment

About Eva Deligiannis:

I provide professional services to organizations and individuals, bringing insight and learning into their lives. I support individuals in having open-hearted and courageous conversations to help them find their unique path. I specialise in providing individual supervision for organizational consultants and facilitating online reflective practice groups.

I have a reflective practice group starting online on Wednesday 26th February. Feel free to reach out for a chat about my services or if you are interested in joining a reflective practice group.

References:

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts - October 2018

Supervision in the Helping Professions Paperback June 2020? by Peter Hawkins (Author), Aisling McMahon (Author)

The Coaches' Handbook: The Complete Practitioner Guide for Professional Coaches Paperback – October 2020 ?- Chapter 35 pg 388-389

?

?