We often think of reflection as something very personal, very private. And of course it is, and for some of us even more so as we need that sense of 'for our eyes only' so we can get our thoughts from our head and heart out through our hands. That sense of the individual reflection is really important and valuable, but it is also not the only way we can reflect. There is also huge potential for, and power in a team approach to reflection. One that doesn't cancel out the individual process, but enriches it.
Without having to make every thought public, teams can be united in a reflection journey if they have a shared statement or subject to reflect upon.
A team with a journal each to document their reflection can use their journal both privately and collaboratively. It can be used for individual growth, with the owner of it doing their daily soaking in and simmering of the statements and the weekly deeper reflections to impact on what they serve up. AND it can be a powerful, energising tool for team growth and connection at the same time.
Without having to make every thought public, teams can be united as they journal and journey together. The statement of the day is in the air for the whole team - multiple heads and hearts pondering on the same thing, noticing it in the environment, working that into conversations. If their eyes are glancing the same message, their hearts are soaking in the same 'food', and then they can make their own interpretation and inspiration from it. It is collective nourishment, and feeds the individual, a shared direction, communal 'noticing' and rich dialogue.
A statement can also be shared periodically on a staff board and a 'graffiti style' anonymous response can be shared for a collaborative reflection. This is particularly great if it links to other evaluations or community projects that are taking place.
Sometimes as teams of beautiful individuals we can end up feeling a little like we lose our common ground. Diversity is wonderful, of course, but something that we can all 'buy into' and share in can create a really close team culture.
For all our welcome differences, reflecting together can be a 'WE thing'. There's always a joy in having a link, a sense of togetherness, isn't there? And the real beauty is it a togetherness but not a dull, 'have to' type of thing, but one that lifts us all, as ourselves and as the US who belongs firmly in the team.
PS: Pre-orders for our new 2020 REFLECTION JOURNAL HAVE NOW CLOSED, but you can still order your journal. We ordered a few spares, available until stock lasts. Get yours here.