Chapter 26: The Process and Power of Reflection

Research suggests that reflection can translate learning into development, which leads to increased capacity for and self-efficacy to engage in leadership (Kodama & Dugan, 2013; Kolb & Kolb, 2005; Komives et al., 2006). Thus, reflection is not a single activity alongside others; rather, it is a continual process that is a part of many activities in a leadership learning and development experience.

This chapter provides an overview of reflective pedagogy and introduces three types of reflection for leader development—personal reflection, reflexivity, and critical reflection. Purposeful design using reflection is then discussed, introducing questions to consider, primary reflective methods, and stages of the reflective process. Research that supports the centrality of reflection to human and leader development processes is provided. The chapter concludes with resources for further exploring and incorporating reflection for leader development.