The Center For Work Life

Reflection is defined technically as the “articulation and codification of experience accumulated in the past.” Put more simply, reflection is careful thought about our behaviors and beliefs. It involves assessing our assumptions and reactions to an event, or pondering the meaning and implications of an experience, carefully and persistently. With reflection, we act and move forward in a more meaningful and thoughtful way.
Reflection is an important part of the human experience that differentiates us from other living beings. It is fundamental to our growth and development, especially in developing higher mental functions such as problem solving and decision-making skills.

Why reflection in the workplace?

In the workplace, employees typically learn and practice new skills through activities such as hands-on trainings or simulations in classroom settings—with no periods of reflection. Without the opportunity to reflect, programs are far less effective at effecting real change, with employees often returning to the status quo.
Here’s why: Once a person has accumulated a certain amount of experience with a task, the benefit of more experience is actually inferior to the benefit derived by devoting time to reflecting upon the experiences they’ve already had. Simply put, there is a point of diminishing returns on experience. We can’t learn more simply by doing more. We must also reflect upon what we’ve done in order to change and grow.
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