19 September2022to analyse and assimilate, you get the benefit of not acting in haste and repenting later, and most importantly it helps you grow wiser. Reflecting from a leadership standpoint is very powerful, as it helps one gain a deeper understanding of their own values, skills, strengths, knowledge, and shortcomings. It gives people an opportunity to learn from their experiences and evolve as better individuals, and also respond better to challenges. Freshwater (2008) described that Gibbs's (1988) and Kolb's (1984) non-linear, circular nature of reflection illustrated the ongoing development of the practitioner and then, by synthesizing some of the former authors' work, identified three stages of the reflective process: (i) awareness of uncomfortable feelings and thoughts; (ii) critical analysis of the situation; and (iii) development of a new perspective. The authors of the study identified six components as essential for reflection: (i) Emotional reaction; (ii) Description; (iii) Internal examination; (iv) Critical analysis; (v) Evaluation; and (vi) Planning new actionA Forbes article points out "Self-reflection in leadership means devoting time to think about you as a leader and is critical for your leadership development. It involves contemplating your current level of skills, strengths, weaknesses, behavioral patterns and how you seek to influence others. It is also about exploring and getting clarity on your values, goals and ambitions". Simon Sinek explains this simplistically in this short video; Simon Sinek on How Reflection Informs Personal Growth - YouTube. Reflection therefore has assumed significance as a must-do activity for leaders to thrive and survive.AdaptThe need and ability to adapt is as old as the origins of human beings on this earth, in my view. As humans we have adapted to a zillion changes in the world we live in, our habits, our thoughts, our actions and our behaviours have continued to adapt to changing external factors and circumstances, which actually means, it is quite easy for us to adapt when the environment around us changes. Is that always true? Perhaps not, mainly because we sometimes lack the will to adapt, though we may have the ability to adapt. The success hinges upon the outcome of a contest between the mind and the heart. If the heart accepts the need to adapt, the mind will allow you to go through the process effectively. Leadership roles increase in complexity as one progresses in his or her career, calling for influencing and persuading skills. And, as a leader's seniority increases, he/she needs to learn to empower, delegate, form alliances, let go of some of the skills that enabled them to perform effectively in earlier leadership roles, step out of comfort zone and take calculated risks. When a leader is under a high level of pressure, he or she can become `rigid' in their reactions and respond to challenges in ways that have become ingrained or habitual. Those habitual responses may no longer be Geetha Ramamoorthi, Managing Director
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