REFLECTIVE.
- whatshesaid2020
- Oct 23, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 29, 2021
This week, I had the privilege of leading about 38 development professionals in our first in-person conference in two years. While the setting was beautiful at the Osthoff Resort in Elkart Lake, WI, and the food was delicious, it was the sense of community that made it so special.
Over the past two years we have met monthly on Zoom meetings, but there is nothing like a physical, visual, and relative way to meet than in-person. The Bible calls it "Koinonia" or Christian fellowship and communion. Even with a nasty sinus infection and cough, they weren't afraid to hug me and I LOVED it!
While our conference theme was "Reflection," because I thought of the beautiful lake that surrounded the resort in the Fall season, our leadership development was synonymous with that same tone. One of the greatest opportunities I have is to teach on personal leadership development. I have integrated these moments into each conference for the two years I have been in my leadership position at my current nonprofit organization. Every bi-yearly conference, we share best practices, successes, challenges, and stories, but nothing excites my heart more than teaching on personal leadership development.
For this conference it was on Reflective Leadership. I believe with every session there should be a resource available for each participant to build their personal leadership library. For this conference I chose, "Hanging the Mirror: The Discipline of Reflective Leadership" by Scheffer, Braun, & Scheffer (2017).
The first 9 chapters are on personal reflection. The greatest struggle an employee faces is whether they are a leader if they have a supervisor. All of us have supervisors either direct (boss) or indirect (board of directors). According to the website, chieflearningofficer.com,
"A leader is someone who can see how things can be improved and who rallies
people to move toward that better vision"
In Chapter one Hanging the Mirror outlines six crucial concepts when it comes to reflective leadership.
The impact of loyal customers - 5% increase in loyalty is a 25-85% increase in revenue
Quality isn't enough - customer service must be uniform and dependable.
The role of the employee - ownership based on pride of work and not requirement of task.
Culture: The invisible impact - shared norms, values, and expectations.
The wake of leadership - is a leader's words and their actions consistent with each other.
Responsibility of leaders - difference between authority for and authority over employees.
In summary, this book suggests that reflection is the surest means of development and growth, not only for leaders and managers but for human beings in any context. Only through reflection can we and those around us realize the potential that lies within. Only through reflection do we become everything we could be, but don't take my word for it purchase the book, read it, and reflect on what type of leadership style you reflect.
What She Said ~ Beverly
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