Munich, March 23, 2024

The Importance of Self-Reflection for Good Leadership:
A Guide for CEOs and HR Managers

"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."
Confucius

Scientific studies prove that self-reflection significantly improves leadership quality and offers measurable productivity advantages. For example, a study by Harvard Business School shows that employees who reflect regularly can significantly increase their performance.
Sources: How Self-Reflection is Critical for Good Leadership - Ray Williams
Learning By Thinking: How Reflection Improves Performance (HBS Working Knowledge).

Why Self-Reflection is Particularly Important for Leaders

1. Self-Awareness and Self-Improvement
Self-reflection fosters a deep understanding of one's own values, strengths, and weaknesses. This enables leaders to make informed decisions and continuously work on their development. According to Harry Kraemer, professor at the Kellogg School of Management, self-reflection is crucial for understanding and improving oneself.
Source: How Self-Reflection Can Make You a Better Leader (northwestern.edu)

2. Improved Decision-Making
Through regular self-reflection, leaders can question their decisions and adapt their strategies, leading to better and more consistent decisions. This practice helps to better overcome unforeseen challenges and react more quickly to changes.
Source: The Importance of Reflective Leadership in Business (hbs.edu)

3. Stronger Team Leadership
Leaders who self-reflect can better understand their teams and appear more authentic. This creates a trusting environment where team members can develop. Self-reflecting leaders promote an open and cooperative work climate.
Source: How Self-Reflection is Critical for Good Leadership - Ray Williams

4. Minimizing Surprises and Better Crisis Management
Self-reflecting leaders are better prepared for unforeseen events and can react more quickly and effectively. This reduces uncertainty and increases the team's resilience.
Source: How Self-Reflection Can Make You a Better Leader (northwestern.edu)

Impact on Everyday Leadership

Self-reflecting leaders are characterized in daily life by greater adaptability and better team dynamics. They create an environment of trust and openness that allows employees to perform at their best. In contrast, leaders who are unable to self-reflect tend to act reactively rather than proactively, which often leads to ineffective decisions and a tense work environment.

Five Tips for Increasing Self-Reflection

  1. Schedule Regular Reflection Time
    Reserve 15 minutes daily for reflection on your own actions and decisions, ideally at a fixed time, such as during commute or over a cup of coffee.

  2. Use Reflection Questions
    Questions like "What did I do well today?", "What could I do better?" or "How did I support my team?" help to structure reflection.

  3. Seek Feedback
    Regularly seek feedback from colleagues and employees to gain external perspectives on your own behavior.

  4. Keep a Journal
    Keep a reflection journal to record thoughts and experiences and to recognize patterns and progress over time.

  5. Integrate Mindfulness Practices
    Mindfulness exercises and meditation can help to clear the mind and sharpen self-awareness.

With the online training Principles of Good Leadership we promote intensive self-reflection on one's own leadership attitude and the associated behavior of a leader.
These insights and approaches to self-reflection can help leaders improve their skills and lead their teams more effectively.

Studies on the Impact of Self-Reflection on Leadership Competence

How Self-Reflection Can Make You a Better Leader
This study shows that self-reflection helps leaders better understand their values and goals, thereby making informed decisions and improving their leadership qualities.
Link to study: Kellogg Insight

Why Self-Reflection Is Key in Great Leadership
This study highlights that self-reflection helps leaders recognize their strengths and weaknesses, increase their adaptability, and make more effective decisions.
Link to study: Walden University

Developing Character-Based Leadership Through Guided Self-Reflection
This research emphasizes the importance of guided self-reflection for the development of character-based leaders and its impact on leadership skills.
Link to study: ScienceDirect

The Positive Effects of Online Leadership Training: A Look at the Study Situation

In today's digital working world, the ability to self-reflect is becoming increasingly important for leaders. Our online leadership training aims to foster self-awareness and self-reflection, sow inspiration, and develop a personal leadership vision. But how effective is such training? Here are some scientific studies that prove the positive effect of online leadership training.

Study on the Effectiveness of Online Leadership Training

Effectiveness of Online Self-Leadership Training (OSLT) on Leaders' Self-Leadership Skills and Recovery Experiences
This study shows significant interaction effects of time and group, which demonstrate an increase in self-leadership skills (cognitive and natural reward strategies) and recovery experiences (detachment and relaxation) in the OSLT group. The results indicate a significant improvement in self-leadership skills and the exchange between leader and team members.
Link to study: EMERALD

About the Author:

Tom Senninger
Tom Senninger		 Tom Senninger is a human resources and organizational development expert, and has been conducting leadership development programs for 25 years.

With his leadership blog, he aims to contribute to improving leadership quality in companies: less management - more leadership!

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