Learning how to be reflective

This chapter explains the pathway to learning and using critical reflection and use a case study to deconstruct the experience of introducing critical reflection to a group of executive level managers. Two participants spoke about their experiences and provided illustrative examples that demonstrated the value of critical reflection to the executive team meeting. Robert spoke about a community meeting that he had attended where he delivered a presentation about the focus of the organisation and the plans for the future. Vashti’s reflection was centred on her thoughts about reflexivity and how she found that it could be self-confirming, particularly when she was preparing to attend a meeting, training workshop, or even a party. Critical reflection is recognised as an advanced form of reflective practice that can be used to deepen understanding of a central issue, where participants explicitly pay attention to knowledge, power, and reflexivity.