Reflection should be compulsory

Reflection is one of the most underused and undervalued tools we have. Reflection creates the opportunity for learning, for gratitude and for renewal. Which is why when I was asked to talk about The Future of Leadership with Sue Stephens, Amy Schultz, Manish Bahl, Jenny Andersson and Mara Tolja, I suggested that organisations should make reflection compulsory.

One of the many benefits of coaching is that busy people are forced to slow down and to consider their goals, actions, feelings and beliefs. It's not always comfortable, but it is always enlightening.

This belief in the power of reflection drove me to create five simple questions that I send out to current and former clients every Friday. I also include a mini blog post with personal reflections, or a link to a video or podcast that I think will help deepen that reflection.

This was last week's:

Today I’m 10 years old – how should I celebrate?

On the 18th May 2008 I officially started working for myself, under the banner of Mackie Consulting.  At that time, all my clients were in financial services and it seemed as if every day firms were failing or being bailed out:  Northern Rock and HBOS in the UK, Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the US.

This could have been a terrible time to start a business venture, but among the turmoil I focused on what I could control; my relationships with my clients, the quality of my services and the state of my emotions.  Building on relationships I already had, I narrowed my focus and worked with the entire Audit department of a global bank, helping them to strengthen their leadership and communication and tighten their processes.  I am still very proud of that work and those people; we weathered the storm together.

Now ten years later, I have a much more varied client base and I work with start ups and entrepreneurs as well as huge multi-nationals.  I’ve never stopped thinking about how I can help my clients do better and be better.  To that end, I’m going to be starting a leadership and personal development podcast and arrange in-person leadership breakfasts (there will be birthday cake!).

So how can I celebrate this milestone?  Do write and tell me – I read every mail.

In the meantime, keep focusing on what YOU can control.

I got dozens of lovely responses, ranging from recipes for chocolate cake and gin cocktails, to suggestions on buying a bike (that's what a lot of 10 year olds get) to getting some custom jewellery. I also got some fantastically helpful suggestions for podcast episodes as well as my first invitation to be a podcast guest.

If you would like to receive a weekly nudge to reflect (with my five key reflection questions) click here to sign up.

In the meantime, what do you think about making reflection compulsory?