{"id":4523,"date":"2018-02-15T13:05:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-15T21:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/confucius-has-a-message-for-business-leaders-who-want-to-succeed-reflect\/"},"modified":"2025-03-30T21:07:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T04:07:03","slug":"confucius-has-a-message-for-business-leaders-who-want-to-succeed-reflect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/confucius-has-a-message-for-business-leaders-who-want-to-succeed-reflect\/","title":{"rendered":"Confucius has a message for business leaders who want to succeed: reflect"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n    \n            \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-hero \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-hero\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/04\/story-2749-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/04\/story-2749-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  alt=\"Confucius has a message for business leaders who want to succeed: reflect\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"image-caption\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  Confucius deemed reflection the best way to wisdom. (CC BY-NC-ND)\n\n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n  <div class=\"text-wrapper\">\n          <nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n        <ul>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\">News<\/a><\/li>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\/?category=faculty\">Faculty<\/a><\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/nav>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title\">\n\n    \n  <h1>Confucius has a message for business leaders who want to succeed: reflect<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n          <div class=\"subtitle\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  The ability to reflect is a critical, but under appreciated trait of successful leaders.\n\n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n           <strong class=\"author-field\"><span >By<\/span><a href=\"mailto:communication@dornsife.usc.edu\">Khatera Sahibzada<\/a><\/strong>\n    \n          <span class=\"post-date-field\">February 15, 2018<\/span>\n      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xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m8.14285714 9.42857143c-.17142857 0-.34285714 0-.51428571.08571428l7.28571427 6.34285719c.3428572.2571428.6857143.2571428.9428572 0l7.2857142-6.34285719c-.0857142-.08571428-.2571428-.08571428-.4285714-.08571428zm-1.28571428 1.11428567v.1714286 8.5714286c0 .6857143.6 1.2857143 1.28571428 1.2857143h14.57142856c.6857143 0 1.2857143-.6 1.2857143-1.2857143v-8.5714286c0-.0857143 0-.0857143 0-.1714286l-7.2 6.3428572c-.7714286.6857143-1.8857143.6857143-2.6571429 0z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" transform=\"translate(-6 -9)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Email<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                  <\/span>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n \n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>One of the most admirable and arguably underrated qualities of leadership is the capacity for reflection. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brainyquote.com\/quotes\/confucius_131984\">Confucius called<\/a> it the most noble way to learn wisdom.<\/p>\n<p>But when we talk about what makes someone a successful leader, we typically describe attributes like the ability to innovate, make strategic decisions or manage uncertainty. We rarely mention reflection among the core traits of a great leader.<\/p>\n<p>Yet their capacity to reflect on decisions, behaviors and learning certainly helped guide them toward success. Media mogul <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2017\/06\/07\/self-made-millionaire-arianna-huffington-shares-the-no-1-thing-you-need-to-do-to-be-successful.html\">Arianna Huffington<\/a>, for example, recommends reflection as a way to connect with one\u2019s own wisdom and creativity. Billionaire investor <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.bwater.com\/publications\/principles_excerpt\">Ray Dalio<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/bridgewater-ceo-ray-dalio-learning-from-mistakes-pain-reflection-progress-2017-5\">credits reflecting on painful experiences<\/a> with helping him build Bridgewater, the world\u2019s largest hedge fund.<\/p>\n<p>Reflection is different than critical thinking, which is more focused on problem solving and an end goal. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcg.com\/publications\/2017\/leadership-talent-people-organization-rewards-ceo-reflection.aspx\">Reflective thinking<\/a> helps us understand our underlying beliefs and assumptions and how they influence our decisions, guide us in problem-solving and drive behavior.<\/p>\n<p>In my consulting work, I help organizations select top talent and rising stars who can achieve superior levels of performance. Companies tell me they want leaders who can make the \u201cright\u201d decisions quickly and decisively, often while balancing competing interests.<\/p>\n<p>Given the fast-paced nature of the world we inhabit, it may seem counterintuitive for them and others to include the ability to reflect as among the most important traits that will determine a leader\u2019s success. Yet there is growing evidence showing precisely that.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 414px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205597\/original\/file-20180208-180816-1j388x3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"Photo of Arianna Huffington.\" width=\"414\" height=\"273\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Media mogul Arianna Huffington calls reflection essential to being a successful entrepreneur. Dennis Van Tine\/STAR MAX\/IPx<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Power of reflection<\/h2>\n<p>Physicians understand this intuitively because they must make lightning-quick life and death decisions, requiring ways to help them navigate uncertain situations.<\/p>\n<p>A 2015 paper on the role of reflection in bioethics education describes the ability to reflect as \u201ccrucial\u201d to future physicians and helps them develop their \u201cethical and professional acumen and sensitivity,\u201d according to researchers at <a href=\"http:\/\/muse.jhu.edu\/article\/581562\/pdf\">Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine<\/a>, which integrates the topic into its formal curriculum.<\/p>\n<p>As such, the school\u2019s medical students participate in small group sessions and reflection-themed assignments that require them to examine their experiences in classes with questions like \u201cWhat inspired you?\u201d and \u201cDo you feel you are becoming the physician you want to be?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The majority of students who have participated in these programs said they found it helpful for their personal and professional growth.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, a year-long study by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/10810730.2015.1018647?journalCode=uhcm20\">researchers<\/a> at Tufts University School of Medicine and Boston College examined the role of reflection on physician-patient interactions. They found that physicians who reflected on the tone they used with patients \u2013 and how it affected the latter\u2019s willingness to disclose information \u2013 led to improved communication and a greater emphasis on the patient\u2019s actual experiences rather than their own perceptions.<\/p>\n<p>Besides the potential for sharpened awareness and attentiveness in communication, reflection also boosts confidence in one\u2019s ability to complete a task and also improves the understanding of the task, according to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hbs.edu\/faculty\/Publication%20Files\/14-093_defe8327-eeb6-40c3-aafe-26194181cfd2.pdf\">researchers at Harvard Business School<\/a>. Perhaps surprisingly, they found that taking the time to reflect after finishing a job enhances performance more than additional experience doing it.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 381px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205598\/original\/file-20180208-180821-1qpbx76.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"Photo of Zarna Patel\" width=\"381\" height=\"260\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zarna Patel is in her third year at Loyola University Chicago\u2019s medical school, which integrates reflection into its curriculum. (A\/P Photo\/Charles Rex Arbogast.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>\u00a015 minutes a day<\/h2>\n<p>Although there is emerging evidence showing the benefits of reflection, why aren\u2019t more leaders engaging in this activity?<\/p>\n<p>There may be a host of reasons, the obvious answers being a lack of desire and time. According to <a href=\"http:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/345\/6192\/75\">behavioral scientists<\/a>, most people prefer to engage in external activities rather than be alone with their thoughts.<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nber.org\/papers\/w23248\">study<\/a> of 1,114 chief executive officers in Brazil, France, Germany, India, the United Kingdom and the United States examined how they spend their workday. They found that on average CEOs spend about 70 percent of their time interacting with others either in-person or virtually. The rest is primarily spent on activities supporting these interactions such as travel and preparing for meetings.<\/p>\n<p>This doesn\u2019t leave a lot of time for focused reflection. Still, some leaders recognize the benefit of setting aside time to do just that.<\/p>\n<p>For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu\/article\/how-self-reflection-can-make-you-a-better-leader\">Harry Kraemer<\/a>, the former CEO of Baxter International, schedules a nightly ritual of reflection during which he asks self-examining questions such as, \u201cIf I lived today over again, what would have I done differently?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kraemer doesn\u2019t advocate a specific approach to self-reflection since he believes it to be a personal matter. But he strongly recommends that leaders make the time for it, even as little as 15 minutes a day. Interestingly, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hbs.edu\/faculty\/Publication%20Files\/14-093_defe8327-eeb6-40c3-aafe-26194181cfd2.pdf\">researchers<\/a> have found that 15 minutes of self-reflection at the end of the day can in fact boost performance.<\/p>\n<p>Spanx founder and billionaire <a href=\"http:\/\/www.marieclaire.com\/politics\/news\/a11508\/sara-blakely-interview\/\">Sara Blakely<\/a> uses journaling as a means of reflection. In an interview, Blakely said she has filled about 20 notebooks with all the \u201cterrible things\u201d that have happened to her.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery terrible thing that happens to you always has a hidden gift and is leading you to something greater,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>The idea that the best learning happens in moments of quiet reflection is a sentiment backed by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/111\/44\/15845.full.pdf\">research<\/a> from the University of Texas at Austin. Researchers examined whether reflection enhances future learning. Participants were assigned memorization tasks and given time between them to think about anything. Participants, who used that in-between time to reflect on what they learned, became better able to connect new information to related ideas they already knew.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 754px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205599\/original\/file-20180208-180829-cn0124.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"Photo of &quot;The Thinker&quot; statue, a man sitting down and holding his chin in his hand.\" width=\"754\" height=\"503\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">He may be \u2018The Thinker,\u2019 but he\u2019s probably reflecting. tkachuk\/Shutterstock.com<span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>How to make it your own<\/h2>\n<p>So how can we all take advantage of the power of reflection?<\/p>\n<p>The key, according to organizational psychologist <a href=\"https:\/\/ideas.ted.com\/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way\/\">Tasha Eurich<\/a>, is to ask \u201cwhat\u201d rather than \u201cwhy.\u201d For example, instead of asking, \u201cWhy did this happen?\u201d ask, \u201cWhat could I have done differently to stop it from happening again?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Asking \u201cwhat\u201d questions help us to escape the loop of rumination, maintain objectivity and stay focused on the future. When individuals take a \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.buffalo.edu\/news\/releases\/2017\/07\/037.html\">distanced perspective<\/a>,\u201d seeing things as an observer, they report higher levels of confidence and are able to better respond to sources of stress.<\/p>\n<p>There is no unique universal approach to reflective inquiry. Investigate a practice that resonates most with you and apply it daily, beginning with minor challenges or even relatively benign situations.<\/p>\n<p>There is no need to expect to get it \u201cright and now.\u201d The ultimate aim is to place yourself simultaneously as an active participant and observer of your life and experiences.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/khatera-sahibzada-307720\">Khatera Sahibzada<\/a>, Adjunct Lecturer of Leadership, <em><a href=\"http:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/university-of-southern-california-dornsife-college-of-letters-arts-and-sciences-2669\">University of Southern California \u2013 Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>This article was originally published on <a href=\"http:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a>. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/confucius-has-a-message-for-business-leaders-who-want-to-succeed-reflect-90365\">original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n        \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-related-stories \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-related-stories\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n    \n                  <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/history-alumnus-fitness-entrepreneur-former-navy-seal-invents-trx-trainer\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >From US Navy SEAL to successful fitness entrepreneur<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/food-business-in-los-angeles-gets-boost-from-open-access-la\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >USC Dornsife Food Equity Institute, local experts launch web resource for L.A. food entrepreneurs<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/independence-days\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >Independence Days<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The ability to reflect is a critical, but underappreciated trait of successful leaders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":4526,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[869,870,868],"class_list":["post-4523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faculty","tag-business","tag-khatera-sahibzada","tag-leadership"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Confucius has a message for business leaders who want to succeed: reflect<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The ability to reflect is a critical, but under appreciated trait of successful leaders.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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