Importance of Reflection in Developing Leadership Skills

Leadership in business
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Understanding of reflection
Reflection is determined to be a powerful tool that is helpful for a leader to enhance their
performance. It is a process which helps a leader to identify its strengths and weaknesses along
with the areas that need improvement. It guides a leader of how to develop and grow in the
coming weeks, months, and years. Reflection provides several benefits to the leaders and is
considered to be an enjoyable and easier process (Redmond & Dolan, 2016). It can be said that
the individuals who create plans to execute their work efficiently and effectively by applying
various approaches are regarded as more productive. I come to know that reflection is all about
asking questions to yourself about what are the areas that need improvement by being aware of
making rationalizations and justifications. Moreover, reflection enables an individual to focus on
the different areas along with the significant characteristics. Reflection must be practiced
regularly by the leaders to strengthen their self-awareness and help them to make better
decisions. The leaders who are more focused towards reflection possess high potential for
success, vitality, and creativity (Rigg, 2018). I believe that being honest to ourselves help in
making appropriate decisions and enhance our communication skills and become an effective
leader. Practicing reflection leads to a positive outcome that is helpful and useful in various
ways.
Moreover, it can be seen that the reflective leaders possess an ability to improve their
performance, engagement, and employee well-being. Reflective leadership leads to improved
performance of the organization, whereas reflective leaders are considered to be more effective
managers. It also helps a leader to innovate a solution, solve problems, and develop new
competency and skills (O'Neill, 2015). Thus, it is determined to be an effective and useful
approach to solving problems and learning various skills. I gathered knowledge that reflective
practice requires the ability to take others perspectives, ability to evaluate oneself, critical
thinking, and self-observation. It also requires a willingness to look back and step into new ways,
a non-judgmental stance, and an open mind. The leaders who practice reflective practice in
developing communications and relationships with employees helps in developing new
competencies and skills (Sousa & van Dierendonck, 2017). I gained knowledge that reflection
helps an individual to make efficient use of value open conversation, build confidence and self-
esteem, challenge assumptions and belief, create an environment that enhances trust, respect

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diversity and help others to achieve organizational goals. However, it is significant for a leader to
understand different leadership situations to gain the ability to overcome with such
circumstances,
In order to lead any group, the significant success factor is the ability as well as the willingness
to involve in reflection. It helps the leader to courageously and honestly ask questions to
themselves of how much they are contributing to a particular situation. It is helpful for a leader to
enhance its growth and progress to facilitate differently in different circumstances (Edwards &
Meliou, 2015). Doing hard work based on reflection, courage to look within, open mindset, and
growth-focused creates a various opportunity for an effective leader. Furthermore, I
acknowledged that reflection could be linked to mindfulness and the internal level of positivity
that influences the external and internal world. When an individual possesses a higher level of
thoughtfulness and awareness, it directly impacts on its behaviors. Reflection plays a significant
role in constantly improving the abilities and mindset of leadership that puts an impact on their
success and results (Despeisse, 2018). For a leader, it is significant to realize that the ability to
reflect helps in acknowledging the results and significance of reflection. Reflection enables a
leader to assist in identifying the attributes and strengths that put an impact on their work. It can
positively and significantly impact on the outcomes of changes that take place in the workplace
and provide an opportunity to resolve the issues (Seele, 2018). I got to know that reflection helps
in developing integrity in leadership to deal with the unfavorable condition.
Practicing reflection helps a leader to remain self-motivated in various ways. Effective
leadership and management begin with the help of practicing reflection. It made me recognize
that I need to strive hard to improve my strengths and weaknesses and build a culture of respect
for others and yourself. Reflection helps an individual to contribute to the outcomes such as
purpose, growth, and profitability (Scott & Scott, 2016). The leaders inwardly reflect upon the
organizational matters to understand the changing face of the organization. Reflection must be
made a regular part in the self-development process that builds confidence, competence, and
improves performance. Self-awareness is determined to be a significant key to becoming an
effective leader. The first step towards reflection is personal understanding values. It is
significant as the personal values of a leader is determined to be the major determinants that help
a leader to constrain or exercise leadership (Swanson & Frederick, 2016).