In today’s dynamic and often unpredictable business landscape, the ability to adapt and make informed decisions is more critical than ever. While technical skills remain essential, the true differentiator often lies in self-awareness—the ability to recognise and understand one’s own emotions, values, and behaviours.
However, self-awareness is not innate—it requires cultivation, a journey that can be powerfully facilitated through reflexivity or the conscious practice of self-examination. I found that reflexivity can deepen self-awareness and yield significant benefits for individuals and organisations alike.
For business leaders, fostering reflexivity can cultivate a more self-aware workforce, empowering employees to communicate effectively, make thoughtful decisions, and navigate challenges with resilience.
What is reflexivity and why should leaders care?
Reflexivity differs from simple reflection. While reflection often involves reviewing past actions, reflexivity delves deeper, examining how personal beliefs, experiences, and behaviours interact with the broader environment. This multi-dimensional approach is essential in the workplace, where complex relationships and decisions are influenced by both internal perspectives and external factors.
For business leaders, fostering reflexivity can cultivate a more self-aware workforce, empowering employees to communicate effectively, make thoughtful decisions, and navigate challenges with resilience. The ultimate goal? To drive both personal growth and organisational success in a sustainable manner.
How reflexivity can transform the workplace
- Implementing Reflexive Practices
- Encourage Daily Reflection: Simple practices, like maintaining a journal or setting aside a few minutes at the end of the day, can initiate reflexive thinking. Encourage team members to document challenges, personal insights, and moments of growth.
- Role of Leadership: Leaders can set the tone by modelling reflexive behaviours themselves. This can include sharing personal insights or openly discussing decision-making processes. Such transparency can encourage employees to engage in similar self-examination.
- Creating an Environment that Supports Reflexivity
- Provide Quiet Spaces for Reflection: A conducive environment—quiet spaces free from distractions—enhances reflexive thinking. Consider creating dedicated areas where employees can take a few moments to process their day or prepare for a challenging interaction.
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexibility in schedules or remote work can allow individuals to find a rhythm that supports both productivity and reflection. This is especially important for fostering long-term mental and emotional resilience.
- Integrating Reflexivity into Performance and Feedback Cycles
- Structured Self-Assessment: Introduce periodic self-assessment exercises as part of performance reviews. Encourage employees to assess not only their achievements but also their personal development, understanding how their self-awareness has evolved.
- Peer and Mentor Feedback: Regularly scheduled discussions with mentors or team leaders can provide external perspectives. When employees discuss their reflexive journeys with others, they often gain fresh insights and can refine their self-perception in ways they might not achieve alone.
Creating space for self-awareness in the workplace is not just a strategy; it’s an investment in human potential.
Overcoming common barriers
While the benefits of reflexivity are clear, challenges often arise when implementing it. There are several obstacles to reflexivity, including workload demands, personal insecurities, and insufficient support structures.
- Workload and Time Constraints: When employees feel overloaded, self-reflection becomes secondary. Address this by building in specific times for reflection, whether through shorter work breaks or end-of-day “cool down” routines.
- Emotional Discomfort: Reflexivity can bring up vulnerabilities, leading to self-doubt or anxiety. Leaders should offer support by normalising these feelings and promoting a safe environment where employees can share and learn from each other’s experiences.
- Lack of Awareness: Not all employees are naturally inclined to reflect. Introducing simple frameworks or structured questions can help guide those who may not yet see the value in self-reflection, making the process more approachable.
How reflexivity benefits organisations
A reflexive, self-aware workforce brings tangible organisational advantages. Teams characterised by high self-awareness are more adaptable, innovative, and collaborative. My research suggests that companies that actively foster self-awareness see higher levels of engagement, reduced turnover, and a greater capacity for navigating complex challenges.
By incorporating reflexivity, companies can drive a culture of continuous improvement, where learning and growth are embedded in daily operations. In a world marked by rapid change, this proactive adaptability becomes an invaluable asset.
Building a culture of reflexivity
Integrating reflexivity into the core of organisational culture requires commitment from leaders at all levels. But by doing so, they can cultivate self-aware employees who not only excel in their roles but contribute to a workplace that values growth, empathy, and innovation.
Creating space for self-awareness in the workplace is not just a strategy; it’s an investment in human potential. As we look to the future, fostering reflexivity within organisations will be key to empowering employees and building resilient, forward-thinking businesses.
This article is based on research by ESCP Business School Master in Management graduate Louise Van Oosterwyck in collaboration with the Reinventing Work Chair supported by BivwAk! BNP Paribas.
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