Values and Leadership Newsletter

Food for Thought |November - December 2019

Leaders hold a lot of responsibility. To-do lists seem endless and calendars are filled. Finding time to reflect and breathe feels impossible, even though it is a critical element of effective leadership. There are many excuses for avoiding time for self-reflection. Deadlines, meetings, family commitments, and so on. However, if we do not find time for self-reflection it is easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of our purpose.

Introducing a regular practice of self-reflection helps us understand who we are and enables us to ensure our actions align with our values. To experience growth, we must put in the work. Amidst the busyness, I encourage you to find time for self-reflection. To ask yourself real questions and give yourself time to find meaningful answers. When we take the time to learn about ourselves, it better positions us to serve others. As they say, we need to put on our own oxygen mask before assisting others.

In the News

Five self-examination questions to prevent burnout

When we spend time in self-reflection, do we invite God into the conversation? To better understand ourselves, we must consider how our actions align with what we believe is important. Ask yourself, “how is God inviting me to trust Him more deeply?”

The  first principle  of values-based leadership: Self-reflection

It is easy to lose sight of our purpose when we get caught up in the fast pace of our day-to-day lives. In this short video, Harry Kraemer asks leaders to consider whether their actions align with what they say is important.

3 easy steps to building  self-awareness

“Encourage a culture of learning about self.” Building deeper self-awareness is crucial. It not only helps you become a more effective leader, but it helps strengthen your team too.

Self-leadership is the new self-care: Why this ritual is your secret to  success

“People don’t leave companies; they leave managers.” Managing a team requires understanding others. It also requires understanding yourself. Before you can effectively support your team, you must first identify where you need support.

Why you should make time for self-reflection (even if you hate doing  it)

With the right mindset, reflection can help us strengthen our abilities as leaders, and identify areas for growth. “From the quiet reflection, will come even more effective action.”

From our shelves …

In his book, The Mindful Leader, Bunting explores what it means to deepen our self-awareness while improving our leadership skills. Practicing mindful leadership, becoming self-aware and integrating self-reflection practices is easier said than done. However, this book offers practical advice and practices to help you along the way. Transforming your leadership style begins with connecting with your deepest self.