“Self-reflection is the school of wisdom.” In this episode, learn how Abraham Lincoln’s deliberate pauses teach us the power of reflection in leadership. Explore practical ways to integrate self-reflection into your daily routine and lead with greater clarity and intention.
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Welcome to the Leadership Quotient. I’m Dusty Holcomb. And each day, I’ll share a meaningful quote and explore how it applies to leadership and personal growth. Together, we’ll unpack lessons that help you lead yourself and others with purpose and clarity. Let’s get started.
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Self reflection is the school of wisdom. Baltasar Gracian. When was the last time you allowed yourself to pause and reflect instead of reacting? In leadership, self reflection is often treated as an afterthought with so many tasks to manage and decisions to make. It feels more natural to act than to pause.
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But what if pausing is the very thing that allows us to grow, to make better decisions and to lead more effectively? Abraham Lincoln understood this. After the Battle of Gettysburg, he was deeply frustrated with general George Meade for not pursuing the retreating Confederate forces. Lincoln drafted a letter to Meade, a letter filled with disappointment and criticism. But here’s the remarkable thing.
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Lincoln never sent it. He paused, reflected, and realized that sending the letter wouldn’t fix the problem. It might even harm morale. That decision wasn’t about avoiding action. It was about ensuring the right action.
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Lincoln’s ability to reflect turned a moment of frustration into a lesson in wisdom and restraint. So how can we as leaders embrace self reflection in our own lives? Here are 3 ways to integrate it into your leadership practice. 1st, a daily check-in. At the end of each day, take 5 minutes to review a decision or an interaction.
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Ask yourself, what did I learn from this? 2nd, pause in moments of frustration. When emotions run high, resist the urge to react. Instead, step back and ask, what’s the best outcome, and how can I lead toward it? 3rd, monthly reviews.
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Dedicate a day each month to reflect on your leadership journey. Look at what’s working, what’s not, and where you can grow. Self reflection isn’t about stepping away from leadership. It’s about stepping into it with clarity and intention. In the pause, we find the space to process, to learn, and to lead more effectively.
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This week, take one moment to pause and reflect on a recent challenger decision. Ask yourself what it taught you, and let that wisdom shape your next step. Thanks for joining me on the Leadership Quotient. I hope today’s quote gave you something to think about and apply in your leadership journey. If you found value in this episode, I’d love for you to share it, subscribe, or leave a review.
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Leadership is a journey. Keep moving forward, and I’ll see you next time.
