Reflect to Realize Business Growth

Margaret Wheatley can sum up this Blog with one quote, “Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.”

Our natural human tendencies guide us to focus our reflections on when business is struggling. Maybe sales are down, costs are skyrocketing, unexpected costs arise, or employee retention is declining. This type of reflection is more commonly known as damage control. These reflections generally require immediate action and do little to promote growth; rather it inspires stabilization of the business while rarely, if ever stimulating business progression.

Also when business is booming the natural tendency is to continue status quo. The assumption is that; if it ain’t broke…don’t fix it. When, in fact, business is performing productively that is when reflection impacts future business performance most effectively. The Dictionary.com definition that is most applicable is, “a thought occurring in consideration or meditation.” The definition should also include the thought that is considered is purposeful and based on experience. We should deliberate business processes when functioning in stages of growth and success, which in turn will inspire continued growth and business transformation.

The fact is that when a colleague, friend, spouse, or acquaintance asks, “How was your day?” our answer is a form of reflection. Deliberate thought over the activities of the day is taking place, the day’s experiences are being considered, and depending on the circumstances future action may or may not take place based on those reflections. However these reflections will die a natural death if we don’t take action.

A case study performed by the Harvard Business School determined the effectiveness of reflection. The study concluded that reflection in business when performed consistently increases employee performance at all levels. The conclusion was derived from comparing two work groups that performed comparatively similar job functions. One group was instructed to end their workday 15 minutes early each day to take time to reflect on the day’s performance while the second group continued to work the last 15 thereby completing more of the assigned work. The outcome was that over a brief time the group engaging in the deliberate reflection performed more effectively and efficiently as a result of the debriefing and insights gained from the daily reflection.

The process of reflection must encompass the following steps in order to be productive:

1. Reflection must be deliberate and itinerant – deliberate meaning that it is as important as a meeting with a top client, so schedule it in your daily calendar; itinerant meaning that it MUST be performed consistently and daily

2. Write down the reflection. - Ideally the reflection should be written on paper in the form of journaling as it utilizes even more sensory tools we have distanced ourselves from through the use of technology. Francesca Gino recites, "It's very easy to deceive yourself if you're just thinking about it," she adds, "but when you write things down on paper, it's easier to identify what's helpful."

3. Always conclude the reflection with an action plan for furthering business growth and achievement.

If you would like support in establishing a process for reflection and achieve the positive outcomes derived from reflecting in your business we are eager to team together with you to get the results you desire. Visit our website at www.themeritgroupindy.com or call 317-805-4896 today!

Look for more small steps that produce BIG results!