Three key questions can be derived from systemic coaching for reflection in order to ensure more efficient work:
- Where do I come from?
This question deals with the past and helps you to understand your own development and how your current situation came about. What were the triggers for certain decisions and actions? What experiences have shaped me? - Where am I?
The focus here is on the present. Where am I right now? What are my current resources and challenges? What successes and setbacks have I experienced recently? - Where do I want to go?
This question focuses on the future. Where do I want to go? What goals am I pursuing? What next steps do I need to take?
There are certainly other questions for reflection, but these 3 round it off very well for me as a business and systemic coach.
How you benefit from reflecting
By reflecting on these three key questions, you can realize the following benefits for you and your company:
- Clarity and focus: You gain a clear overview of your situation and can concentrate on really important issues. Reflection sharpens your focus.
- More efficient decision-making: With an understanding of your starting position and your goals, you make informed decisions that lead you purposefully in the desired direction. Instead of acting impulsively, you will be able to take well-considered steps.
- Continuous improvement: You recognize patterns of behavior that you can adapt to improve your performance and that of your team. Through reflection, you can proactively work on improvements.
- Motivation and self-reflection: Regular (every 3-6 months) reflection keeps you awake, makes you think about your actions and inspires you to constantly develop yourself further. You create space for creativity and new ideas that benefit your team.
Reflecting for yourself is extremely valuable, but you shouldn't do it too much so as not to put yourself under too much pressure. Reflecting for yourself is one thing, reflecting in a team is another. This should not be forgotten. But what should you pay attention to?
Reflecting in the team
Reflecting in a team is about taking your employees or colleagues on board. A healthy interval between reflections, depending on the project or current process, is between 2-3 months and half a year, similar to individual reflection. The end of the year is just as good a time as just before the summer months, when many people are on their way to a well-deserved vacation. Picking people up before their break brings out the most unspoken issues, so it's a good time to reflect and develop further. At the end of the year, the following questions come to mind:
- What has (already) gone well in 2024?
- What can we do (even) better in 2025?
Reflection within the team is not about discussing everything that did not go well. Projects, processes and weak points should be addressed and defined. Reflection here is synonymous with identifying where there is potential for improvement and what steps we can take as a team to make a positive contribution to improvement. It is essential to look at projects and processes that have gone very well. You can thank your team and draw attention to positive results, thereby motivating your team for what lies ahead.
Output: Reflect on how to work more efficiently—for yourself and for your team.
As a manager, you are constantly required to react quickly and make decisions. This makes it all the more important to regularly take time out to reflect. Use these moments to gain clarity about your situation, review your priorities and focus on the essentials.
Only those who pause can be successful in the long term. So plan the reflection for yourself and your team just as carefully as other appointments. Your company, yourself and your team will benefit from it. By integrating the art of reflection into your leadership style, you not only create a positive working environment, but also encourage your employees to learn independently. In this way, reflection becomes a valuable tool for sustainable success.
If you have any questions on the subject of reflection for more efficient work, team leadership or employee development, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Kathrin Fuchs
Executive Coach
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