LEADERSHIP Series: The Reflective Leader

Reflective understanding and thinking are activities that happen in rest and stillness.

Yes, activities. Not some empty-minded mediation; but quiet, reflecting thinking about purpose, mission, and strategy. It is the prudent leader who takes time to think, to reflect and to meditate and think through possible actions and their effect on the team, the customer and stakeholders.

Have you thought about your culture and developed a simple purpose statement? This document articulates your vision (what the future looks like - where you want to go), your mission (what you going to do and to whom [the customer]), and your strategies (the choices you are going to make i.e., just how you do it).

This takes reflection, resources (internal debate, discussion and decisions) and resolve (the willingness to execute). Purpose statements are essential for leaders to focus their thinking, help them understand where the enterprise is going and how it is going about getting there and the what values are in play in that process. This statement also helps followers understand the purpose, the plans and the processes.

These behaviors of reflection, response and reordering do not happen in a vacuum - they are shaped by the values of the leader. Yes, they value collaboration, and believing leaders also value their Creator's insights, and follow His guidelines. They consult Him in prayer and meditation, asking for wisdom and discernment to be acutely aware of what is coming (understanding the times) not only in the business environment in which they operate, but also, more importantly, in the shaping of their lives to be more like Christ.

Proverbs 14: 8 (NLT) The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

Reflection or deception – that seems to be the choice in this verse.

Are you a prudent, reflective leader?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell