The Strength Hidden in Frequent Reflection

Navigating the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) and BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible) world requires individuals to possess adaptability, decision-making skills, unconventional thinking, and the ability to cope with uncertainty. These skills are particularly important in a professional context. Reflection is a key element of personal and professional development in today’s rapidly changing world, and coaching can be an effective tool for facilitating this process. Contemporary coaching approaches, like the changing reality itself, are also undergoing modifications. The emphasis is now on envisioning a desired future state and working toward that vision while being prepared to respond to changing environmental conditions, rather than on setting clear, well-defined goals and strategies for achieving them, as was the case in the “pre-pandemic” world. Defining a vision for the future requires deep reflection on the part of the individual. The importance of reflection, including self-reflection, has been recognized since ancient times. Socrates proclaimed that it is not worth living a mindless life and advocated for “know thyself.” Aristotle believed that “wise thinking” and “coming to know” are the two most essential characteristics of a human being. The importance of reflection is even more invaluable in the fluid world of postmodernity, where the metaphors of people as nomads and rationality as a rhizome have emerged. The entangled paths, contingency, and lack of roots that are typical of the postmodern era do not necessarily mean failure. However, in this state of affairs, understanding and achieving success requires taking well-considered actions.