How do we improve our own reflection capabilities?

"In our rapidly changing and confused age of unreason, which often places far more emphasis on hasty and unconsidered action than reflective learning, we are in grave danger of confusing leadership with expertise." McGill and Beaty (1995) explain that trainers must adapt their methods to accommodate the increasing need for student-centered learning, transferable skills, and closer links with industry. The authors explain, "In times of crisis or radical change, reflection becomes more important and also more difficult; it is at these times that we make powerful decisions about the future" (p. 21).

Schon (1983) emphasizes the need for today's leaders and managers to be more reflective in order to learn from their experiences, especially in today's increasing rate of change.

Beckhard and Pritchard (1992, p. 9) note, "Probably the most important single process involved in effective change in the process of learning while doing [italics is theirs]." McCaffrey (1994) found that while most students see themselves as reflective thinkers, traditional development methods provide few opportunities to think reflectively.