Recently, I took my two grandchildren on vacation with me. It was to celebrate my granddaughter's 16th birthday extravaganza, so we flew to Florida and spent a day at Universal Studios (masked, of course) with her 10-year old brother.
Now it wouldn't have been my chosen vacation. My idea of fun is sitting by the ocean, reading a good book and watching the sunset in Florida, but when you give an experience as a gift you let them chose. So we rode rides, sweat the heat, ate junk food, and drank butter beer (Harry Potter).
In the midst of a very busy week, the most precious moments were early in the car and late at night getting ready for bed. Those were the moments that they talked to Grammy, asked me questions, and sought my wisdom. It was the snuggle time where we reflected on the day and the things we most enjoyed.
The true blessing of the day!
After we spent a tiresome, exhilarating week together I decided to offer a different experience to my 16 and 10 year old grandchildren, and while it was a joke, I sent this photo to my granddaughter. It was funny as to her reaction of the photo for it wasn't fear of the dark or anxiety over a ghost story, but the thought of NO WI-FI that scared her the most.
When I think about vacation, I'm reminded that the same practices should be happening every day in my life. As a leadership tool, reflection is a necessary practice and powerful leadership tool. Reflection is a powerful self-care initiative that can reverse emotional and physical exhaustion.
As a leadership style, "Reflective leadership is a way of approaching the work of being a leader by leading one’s life with presence and personal mastery. Learning to be present, to be aware and attentive to our experience with people throughout the day is the focus of reflective leadership” (Sara Horton-Deutsch, 2013).
Reflective leadership is the result of a society that focuses less on hierarchical structures and more on equality. Reflective leaders understand that all of their employees have just as much inherent value as they do. They strive to reflect inward on their leadership style, the impact it has on their employees, and how their employees feel on a daily basis. The author breaks it down into observation, humility, and self-awareness. I highly recommend reading the entire article from Maryville University at https://online.maryville.edu/blog/active-vs-reflective-leadership/
So as you spend time this summer reflecting on time away from work, preparing your children to go back to school, doing home projects and yes, vacationing, I hope you spend time on you. Not reflecting on the scary or impossible, but on the possibilities that await you.
For you see, vacation isn't for the weak, but the reflective!
What She Said ~ Beverly
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