EDLD 5399 Week 4

REFLECTION

Leadership often requires complex decision-making during difficult situations.  I have often referred to thoughtful decision-making as an asset necessary for effective leadership.  The need for decisiveness would seem to preclude thoughtful decision-making in some situations.  But, an effective leader who practices meaningful reflection will often equip himself/herself with thought processes necessary for quick and thoughtful decisions.  Reflection enhances professional growth reinforcing the information gained from an experience by recreating the experience mentally and, when used effectively, applying higher level thought processing to analyze and evaluate the experience and the response to the experience.  Further reflection may even allow the leader to synthesize other possible responses and possible outcomes based on perceived contributors to the initial experience.  Such reflection creates new pathways in the brain for the effective thought processing of future problems and experiences.  Leaders engaging in this type of continuous, in-depth reflection develop the “cognitive processes” necessary to be “experts” in their field as described in School Leader Internship, 2^nd edition (Martin, 2005).

During our coursework, cohort members have been asked to continuously reflect on every assignment through the use of written reflections as assignments, blogs, intern activity summaries, and discussion pages.  The toughest reflection for me was providing evidence that I do what I ask others to do (31E).  I thought that this would be fairly simple but as I reflected on what my actions are I also began to reflect on my value system and how it has developed as a result of my past experiences in education.  I found this activity to be very revealing and meaningful.

Other valuable experiences included reflections from serving as a mediator for two employees (35A) and developing resolution for an issue with a consensus group (5C).  When reflecting on the perceptions and opinions of a diverse group of stakeholders I felt that I was able to grow in my ability to maintain objectiveness while addressing the concerns of differing opinions.

Throughout the program I have been able to meet with my superintendent to discuss assignments and complete intern activities. The reflections written from these meetings provided the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the thought process involved in high-stakes decision-making required at that level of leadership.

In the future I plan to continue the consistent application of reflection to enhance professional growth.  I believe that every experience, positive or negative, provides an opportunity for professional and personal growth.  I must make the time for meaningful reflection to fully process the experience and create those new pathways for future problem solving.