Five Tools Leaders Use for Reflection

In October 2023, we conducted a non-scientific survey among our audience to learn about their reflection habits. Fifty-four people responded. Here’s what we discovered from their responses.

Two-thirds of the respondents reflect on their leadership at least monthly, and one-third keep a journal to help with reflection. Just over forty percent meet regularly with a mentor, coach, therapist, or spiritual director to help them reflect on their leadership. 

We asked respondents to tell us what sorts of tools they used to help them reflect on their leadership. Their responses demonstrated a beautiful variety. Still, five types of tools were most common among their responses:

• Relationships. Several respondents needed the help of others to reflect well. Some mentioned friends. Others meet with a spiritual director, mentor, or therapist. Several mentioned their supervisor as someone who helps them reflect on their leadership, particularly during annual reviews. 

• Self-study Resources. Many respondents turn to books, articles, podcasts, and online courses to help them reflect on their leadership. A couple of people mentioned that our Life for Leaders daily devotional helps them.

• Guidance. Some respondents appreciate guidance or structured reflection. They turn to good questions, reflection prompts, or guided practices like these. 

• Feedback. Honest feedback helps some respondents reflect on their leadership. 

• Intentional Time. Several participants said they had designated time and space for reflection. Some practice a quiet time. Others engage in periods of solitude or silence, and some take regular reflection retreats. 

We were also curious if those who managed or supervised teams led their direct reports in reflective practices. Of the thirty-three respondents who identified as managers or supervisors, over half said they do lead their employees in reflective practices.

For more on reflection as well as resources to help you in your reflective practice, check out the following from the De Pree Center:

• Chelsea Logan’s article “Positive Reflection Ideas for Your Team (And You)”
• Gustavo H. R. Santos’s article “The Map and the Territory: The Importance of Reflexivity” 
• Mark Roberts’s “How Will I Be Remembered?” article series
• Our Pain Points and Longings Exercise
• Our six-week cohorts: Road Ahead, Go the Distance, and Third Third Flourishing