Tool: Individual Reflection

To match the increasing complexity of everyday life and work, there is a great need for constant exploration and true collaboration between diverse groups of people to overcome the challenges we face. We believe that reflection empowers us and our ability to continuously learn as both individuals and organisations, unlocking our ability to drive transformation over time.

THE PRACTICE OF REFLECTION

Individual reflection helps to pick apart complex experiences, so that the successes of the experience can be repeated and the failures can be avoided in the future.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CYCLE

Knowledge is continuously gained through both personal and environmental experiences.

In order to gain genuine knowledge from an experience, certain abilities are required:

You as the learner is willing to be actively involved in the experience,
You as the learner is able to reflect on the experience,
You as the learner have and use analytical skills to conceptualize the experience; and
You as the learner has and uses decision-making and problem solving skills in order to use the new ideas gained from the experience.

This leads us to form a model for the learning process composed out of four elements, sometimes illustrated in the `Learning spiral’ below

Reference: David Kolb

DO (Tangible Experience)

A new experience of situation is encountered, or a reinterpretation of existing experience

REFLECT (Observation Reflection)

Reflection upon the new experience; of particular importance are any inconsistencies between experience and understanding.

GENERALIZE (Abstract Conceptualization)

Reflection gives rise to a new idea, or a modification of an existing abstract concept.

APPLY (Active Experimentation)

The learner applies them to the world around them to see what results.

TIME & SPACE FOR REFLECTION

Reflection can be done in many different ways, but finding the time can be tricky. Sometimes you just have to create it. For example, while waiting for the bus can be the perfect time! We suggest you write down your reflections in a format that works for you, just as long as you can return back to it later.

ANYTIME-ANYWHERE REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Different situations will invite different reflection questions. Throughout this program, we will provide you with a new set of reflection questions each week, based on the focus and themes. For general use, however, this is an effective set of reflection questions for use individually or with a team.

What happened and how did it affect me?
What did I feel / do I feel about it?
What did I learn? What insights can I take away?
How can I apply these insights going forward?
How will I challenge myself going forward?

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