Self-Reflection and You

(Photo Credit: Leadership Freak)

Author: Pam McDonald, BLM Wildland Fire Training and Workforce Development

If you are a member of the wildland fire service, you are aware of after action reviews. Good leaders conduct them after every operation, but do you conduct personal reflections? Practicing the art of self-reflection on a regular/daily basis is a valuable exercise. I

 

Why is self-reflection important to personal growth? 

In "Self-Reflection: How To Make The Most From Every Experience," Adam Sicinski shares the following benefits:

• Learn from your failures, mistakes, and experiences.
• Clarify your values, priorities, and strengths.
• Release emotional attachment to people, things, and events.
• Make better choices, independent decisions, and new associations.
• Remove inner roadblocks that hold you back from achieving your goals.
• Examine your habitual behavior patterns and intuitive feelings.
• Uncover hidden dreams and aspirations as well as undiscovered potential.
• Gain deeper insights into your thoughts and a vast array of experiences.
• Expand your perspective and understanding of people and situations.
• Better spot potential problems and opportunities in advance.
• Respond calmly and appropriately to challenges that may have otherwise hindered your progress.

A Personal Experience

In 2016, I had the unique opportunity to attend the Faith and Leadership Week at Kellogg School of Management on the campus of Northwestern University. Leaders from all over the world come to Kellogg for personal development from some of the world's best leadership development instructors. The session with Harry Kraemer was my favorite. Harry had released his book From Values to Action a few years earlier. I got to personally hear Harry discuss his four principles of values-based leadership: self-reflection, balance, true self-confidence, and genuine humility.

In his book and in the session, Harry asks the following questions:

• If you are not self-reflective, how can you truly know yourself?
• If you do not know yourself, how can you lead yourself?
• And if you cannot lead yourself, how can you possibly lead others?

Make Personal AARs a Regular Practice

We are never too busy to take time for ourselves. We must take care of ourselves so we can take care of others. Consider personal AARs a little PPE for the soul.

How you reflect is a personal preference. Whether you journal, blog, meditate, talk to yourself or someone else, make it a deliberate and regular practice. You will be better for practicing this art.

Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge - Digging a Little Deeper

• Read Dan Rockwell's Leadership Freak blog "5 Ways to Rest and Rejuvenate."
• Read From Values to Action or watch Harry Kraemer's keynote below.

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About the Author: Pam McDonald is a writer/editor for BLM Wildland Fire Training and Workforce Development. The expressions are those of the author.