What are Reflective Practices?

Reflective practice is a process that helps turn experience into knowledge

(Gilbert and Trudel, 2001). 

As such, it is critical for a coach’s professional development. In practise, it can be challenging to determine the optimal way to do this, how it fits with coaching supervision, and, perhaps most importantly, how to find the time to do so. Nonetheless, because we ask our coaching clients to reflect, gain new insights, and experiment with new behaviours, we understand how critical and valuable it is to do so.

Reflective practise can manifest itself in a variety of ways. It can be conducted individually or in a peer-to-peer group setting; it can be conducted with a supervisor or as part of an action learning group.

Reflection can be focused on specific client work, client feedback, or patterns and themes that emerge across sessions or clients. It could also be on novel approaches and techniques that are being tested.

Reflection on training and other opportunities for learning all contribute to the Coach’s practical integration of new knowledge, ideas, and approaches into his or her coaching approach and ability to deal with unexpected and more complex coaching issues.

Within reflective learning and practise, the term ‘intentional process’ refers to a conversation that has a clear purpose for all parties. The purpose of this course is to develop and grow in three areas: reflective learning for improvement (i.e., improving our coaching practise); reflective learning for transformation (i.e., challenging assumptions and why we do what we do); and finally, learning about learning (i.e., improving our ability to reflect and use reflections to develop individual and organisational coaching practise.

According to Eric de Haan (2012), reflective learning and practise within supervision serve two purposes. To begin, reflection enhances a coach’s potential action and practise. The other advantage is that by reflecting on reflection, one can learn how to strengthen the processes of others. 

Reflective learning and practise are critical components of coaching, coach supervision, and mentoring: they involve an attempt to improve dialogue and to receive feedback and challenge regarding the client-coach, client-organization, and coach-supervisor relationships.

If you are not getting the most out of your work reflection or are having difficulty prioritising this activity, you are not alone! While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are a few things you can do to determine what makes taking time to reflect purposefully and effectively work for you. We have a special person to talk about at The Coaching Conclave 2021.

Get in touch with Dr. Alison at The Coaching Conclave 2021. Alison’s message is clear. 

“We are all currently living in an exceedingly demanding global circumstance. While coaching and mentoring can provide support, opportunity and development to leaders, how do we as coaches and mentors take care of ourselves?  Supervision and reflective practice is increasingly regarded as an essential factor to support the ongoing development and well-being of coaches and mentors.  It provides an opportunity for practitioners to come together to explore and reflect on what is happening with their client work and how they can support themselves to stay fresh, re-charge their batteries, learn new approaches and methods.”