And this is part five of the “12 weeks to accelerate your career” series . For those who missed the previous editions, find them all at the end of this post.
Today, we’re diving into an essential behavior: Self-Reflection and Learning.
Supporting our teams demands a lot. Excellence isn’t just about technical skills or external knowledge. It requires deep self-awareness and continuous learning.
A blind spot: I learn from experience
We think we learn from experience. That’s part of the equation. But true transformation doesn’t come from experience alone. It comes from reflecting ON that experience. A fundamental difference.
Too many leaders rush ahead. Meetings, projects, decisions follow one another. No pause. No stepping back. They take the “easy” way: accumulating flight hours, ignoring hidden lessons.
The result? Stagnation. Invisible ceilings. Wasted potential.
Without intentional, regular reflection, we miss the essential. We learn, but slowly. We react instead of anticipating.
The hidden cost of “always doing”
This lack of reflection is costly. Very costly. Missed growth opportunities. Repeated mistakes. Why? Because of our blind spots. Those shadowy areas in our behaviors, our decisions. Invisible to us, glaring to others.
These blind spots fuel toxic behaviors. Impatience. Micromanagement. Clumsy communication. How can we see them if we don’t stop to look?
The answer probably isn’t outside. It’s within you. Action is vital. But reflection clarifies why past actions didn’t work. It sets the right direction.
The solution: 4 tools to activate your learning engine
Self-reflection. Intentional learning. These are not nice-to-haves. They are the foundations of strong, sustainable leadership. They bring clarity, awareness and continuous improvement.
How to do it? No magic. Simple tools.
1. Journaling: your internal mirror
- The Why: Writing regularly builds self-awareness. Simple. Effective. Your thoughts, emotions and decisions become visible.
- Example: Dan Sullivan uses his “What I Want” journal to clarify his desires and plans. He has been doing this for over 25 years and describes it as the practice that took him from being broke to building a successful business.
- Action: Every day, 5 minutes. Write down “what’s on your mind”. No censorship. Observe.
2. Feedback: your external projector
- The Why: We all have blind spots. Feedback from others sheds light on them. It’s the quickest way to change behavior.
- Example: Marshall Goldsmith simply asks: “How can I improve?” to those around him. Radical. Effective.
- Action: Choose 3 trusted people. Ask them a targeted question about your behavior. Listen. Thank them. That’s it.
3. Reflective questioning: your personalized lesson
- The Why: Turn experience (good or bad) into a lesson. Brings clarity and perspective. Anchors learning.
- Example: AAR (After Action Review). Created for the army, it is often used in sport and leadership.
- Action: After a key event, ask yourself 4 questions:
- What were my objectives?
- What really happened?
- Why did this happen?
- What will I do differently next time?
4. Regular check-ups: your GPS for growth
- The Why: Provides a structure for assessing progress. Identify blockages. Plan what’s next. Essential to keep you on track.
- Example: James Clear produces an annual “Integrity Report” to align actions and values.
- Action: Every quarter, take 30 minutes. Answer: Where am I? My wins? What I wanted but didn’t get? Why? Priorities for next quarter?
Conclusion: your next step
These four practices are fundamental. Not optional. They bring clarity and impact. They distinguish leaders who make constant progress.
The hardest part? Starting. Breaking the inertia of “always doing.” My call to action: Choose just one tool. The simplest one for you. Experiment with it this week. Just once. Then a second time.
This is how you unlock hidden potential. This is how you gain your invisible advantage.
Ready to make reflection your ally?
In the same series :
- Part I: How to apply “Start with the End in Mind” to accelerate your career: A 12-week guide
- Part Two: Active listening: the key skill for accelerating your career advancement (and how to develop it)
- Part Three: How to develop your employees’ potential: the ultimate guide for leaders
- Part Four: How to accelerate your career by mastering uncertainty
Next week, we’ll tackle the sixth behavior: “Owning Your Mistakes.”
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PS: Whenever you’re ready, here are 2 more ways I can help you accelerate your career through coaching:
For future executives:
Accelerate your rise to leadership: I help you create your global vision and develop a plan to accelerate your journey. Contact me and let’s find out if we can work together.
For current executives: Increase your impact as a leader: You know that even small improvements at your level can generate significant organizational results and career acceleration. I’ll work with you on your project and guarantee the results. Contact me and let’s see if we can work together.
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