Discussion: Self-Reflection: Journaling Your Leadership Path

Instructions for the post Journaling to self-reflect has a positive and significant impact on leaders. Journaling promotes introspection and mindfulness. Leaders who self-reflect by journaling improve their integrity, professionalism, and spirituality. Effective leaders evolve for the betterment of themselves and others. Review the module readings and presentations about the importance of journaling. Consider its impact on reflective practice as leaders. Develop an original response to the following question: How do leaders set aside time for journaling? How can this self-reflection help them become more influential leaders? Focus on specific areas leaders would use in practice. Write one paragraph each responding to each post. Post 1 Leaders and Journaling Journaling is essential for leaders. Journaling allows for introspection, honesty and reflection of actions (Nanwani, 2021). Obviously, each leader is different in how they set aside time for journaling. However, leaders set time aside each day for what they truly value (McGown, 2023). McGown (2023) explains her practice of journaling as a Friday wrap-up the last hour of her workday. She says she writes lessons she learned over the week and questions she has about the future then she writes gratitude cards for those that deserve them. Although each person's ritual to journal may be different as a leader it is your job to find what works best for you. The Creation of Influential Leaders McGown (2023) writes reflection cards as part of her journaling process. She believes it is important to let those who did well know. This is a wonderful way to make a person apart of your team feel accepted and praised. Although some leaders may not adopt this practice because it is time consuming it does open the space for recognition when it is deserved. Additionally, investing time in yourself as a leader allows you time to truly ponder what you are valuing, how you are leading, how you can grow, and how to improve practices (McGown, 2023). References McGown, J. (2023, June 6). Leaders: Carve out time for what matters most. The Holdsworth Center. https://holdsworthcenter(dot)org/blog/carve-out-time-for-what-matters-most/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAq4KuBhA6EiwArMAw1KyEOVUDYdJHVFffXUaEwbwEGwJMD3205Ld6p2XuwOh1yrFx7fILChoCqK4QAvD_BwELinks to an external site. Nanwani, S. (2021). Organization and education development: Reflecting and transforming in a self-discovery journey. Routledge. Post 2 Journaling Time Journaling is an excellent way to methodically self-reflect. Throughout the busy day, the mind is running wild without a pause. As a school administrator, there are very few moments that are calm. From parent meetings, classroom visits, district reports, or student discipline issues, many day to day decisions at times, within minutes. Not every decision is made with clarity in thought or with all of the information needed to make the best informed decision. Self-reflection through journaling is a great method to use to purposefully evaluate the "why" a person reacts in a certain way, make a particular decision, feel the way they do, or how they view relationships. Nanwani states that the journaling is conducted at a time when a person has time to reflect on not just the negative interactions, but also the positive ones as well (2021). To benefit from the journaling experience, it needs to be part of a scheduled routine. Whether it is in the morning, at a particular time of the day or at night, that is a personal choice for the individual, journaling should occur at their most opportune time. Impact Leaders who self-reflect become self-aware of their attitudes, behavior, words and their actions. Journaling provides leaders to utilize metacognition to gain a deeper understanding of their own leadership style. When a leaders take the time away from distractions can look within and analyze their areas of improvement and growth. The opportunity to clearly think and reflect allows a leader to make decisions that are not charged with emotions or without having all the necessary and required information. In addition, leaders who self-reflect may become more empathetic and develop their emotional intelligence. When a purposeful approach to self-reflection through journaling may build stronger and a more positive relationship with the members of the organization. As a school leader, it is easier to make a quick emotional decision, however, when given an opportunity to think with the mind and heart, a completely different decision may emerge. References: Suresh Nanwani. (2021). Organization and Education Development : Reflecting and Transforming in a Self-Discovery Journey. Routledge.