Leading from Within: How Reflective Practice Shapes Effective Leadership

In today’s fast-paced educational and organizational environments, leaders are often expected to have the answers, solve the problems, and chart the course. Yet the most impactful leadership does not start with action; it starts with reflection.

The concept of Reflective Practice, as described by Osterman and Kottkamp, is not just an academic theory; it is a necessary mindset for leaders navigating complex systems. At its core, reflective practice encourages leaders to engage in continuous cycles of observation, analysis, and adjustment. It is not about perfection; it is about intentional growth.

The Power of Reflective Practice in Leadership

Reflective Practice is the cornerstone of adaptive leadership. As leaders, we often default to solving problems within existing frameworks. This is what Argyris and Schön referred to as single-loop learning, which is adjusting our actions without examining the underlying assumptions or values. Double-loop learning, however, pushes us to question those assumptions. It invites us to reframe challenges, reconsider our roles, and evolve with our systems.

When school leaders engage in reflective practice, they create the opportunity to:

Surface limiting beliefs that may be driving decisions.
Identify hidden biases in policies and procedures.
Adjust approaches to professional development and instructional leadership.
Build stronger, more empathetic relationships with staff and students.

Reflection, therefore, is not passive. It is one of the most active and courageous acts a leader can commit to.

5 Things School Leaders Can Journal About (and Why)

Emotional Responses to Conflict - Understanding your emotions in tense moments can uncover patterns of reactivity. Journaling these instances helps you become more emotionally intelligent and proactive.
Leadership Wins and Mistakes- Celebrate your wins, no matter how small, and unpack your mistakes without judgment. This builds resilience and fosters a culture of learning.
Staff and Student Interactions - Documenting moments of connection or disconnection can help clarify the relational dynamics at play in your building.
Decision-Making Processes - Writing through your reasoning for tough calls can help you clarify your values and recognize systemic implications.
Personal Triggers and Growth Edges - Self-awareness is key. Journal about what irritates or inspires you, and connect those emotions to your deeper leadership goals.

Developing a Reflective Learning Network

True reflective leaders do not grow in isolation. In my book, Connected Leadership: It's a Click Away, I emphasize the power of a personal and professional learning network (PLN). By engaging with thought leaders, fellow educators, and even social media communities, leaders expand their lens and challenge their thinking.

Through my blog and podcast, I have explored how PLN interactions can spark deeper insights, particularly when combined with reflective tools such as journaling and mentoring. One does not replace the other. Instead, they complement each other: your private reflections become richer through public dialogue, and your public learning becomes more grounded through personal introspection.

Emotional Intelligence and the Inner Work of Leadership

Daniel Goleman’s framework on Emotional Intelligence aligns seamlessly with Reflective Practice. Leaders with high Emotional Intelligence understand their emotions, manage impulses, and empathize with others. But Emotional Intelligence is not a static trait; it must be cultivated. Reflection is one of its most powerful tools.

Journaling is a practice that bridges the gap between emotion and action. Whether you are processing a difficult conversation, charting long-term goals, or simply noticing your mood across the week, the act of writing builds inner clarity. And with clarity comes confidence.

From Performance to Presence

Too often, leadership becomes a performance or something we do for others to see. Reflective Practice reminds us that the best leadership begins quietly, in the pauses. In the moments when we admit a mistake, question an assumption, or commit to a new way forward. It is here, in the stillness, that transformation begins.

Suggested Readings to Deepen Reflective Leadership

Reflective Practice for Educators by Osterman and Kottkamp
The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge
Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman
Connected Leadership by Spike C. Cook
Leadership and the New Science by Margaret Wheatley

Whether you are a school Principal, a district leader, or an aspiring administrator, making space for Reflective Practice will transform not only your leadership but also your school community. As Osterman and Kottkamp remind us, reflection is not an add-on; it is the work.

References

Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1978). Organizational learning: A theory of action perspective. Addison-Wesley.

Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam Books.

LePera, N. (2021). How to do the work: Recognize your patterns, heal from your past, and create your self. Harper Wave.

Osterman, K. F., & Kottkamp, R. B. (2004). Reflective practice for educators: Professional development to improve student learning (2nd ed.). Corwin Press.