“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”
– Confucius, ancient Chinese thinker and social philosopher
“… the most successful teams had leaders who actively managed the groups’ learning efforts. Teams that most successfully implemented the new technology shared three essential characteristics. They were designed for learning; their leaders framed the challenge so that team members were highly motivated to learn; and an environment of psychological safety fostered communication and innovation.”
– “Speeding Up Team Learning,” Amy Edmondson, Richard Bohmer, and Gary Pisano, Harvard Business Review
“They only babble who practice not reflection.”
– Edward Young, 17th Century English poet
“And time for reflection with colleagues is for me a lifesaver; it is not just a nice thing to do if you have the time. It is the only way you can survive….without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.”
– Meg Wheatley, organizational behavior author and consultant
“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.”
– Peter Drucker, writer, management consultant, and self-described “social ecologist”
“Time for reflection – All too many managers are judged by the sheer number of hours they work and the tasks they accomplish. When people are too busy or overstressed by deadlines and scheduling pressures, however, their ability to think analytically and creatively is compromised. They become less able to diagnose problems and learn from their experiences. Supportive learning environments allow time for a pause in the action and encourage thoughtful review of the organization’s processes.”
– “Is Yours a Learning Organization?” David A. Garvin, Amy C. Edmondson, and Francesca Gino, Harvard Business Review
Want to discuss this post? Contact us!