By Gideon Schulman
Leadership is fast. Decisions come thick and quick. But wisdom? That comes from slowing down—taking time to reflect, not just respond.
One of the simplest, most effective tools I’ve returned to time and again is this: a reflective journal. Not a diary. Not a performance tracker. But a space to think, feel, and grow.
Why a reflective journal matters
Reflection helps turn experience into insight. Without it, we repeat mistakes. With it, we refine our leadership.
And no model captures this better than Terry Borton’s ‘What? / So What? / Now What?’ framework—later expanded by John Driscoll.
The Reflective Model in Practice
1. What? — Description
What happened? Who was involved? What did I do?
This isn’t analysis—it’s recall. Describe the event without judgement.
Example: “I led a board meeting where two trustees clashed over the budget. I tried to mediate but felt my authority waver. The room went quiet.”
2. So What? — Interpretation
Why does this matter? What did I feel then, and what do I feel now? What did I learn?
This is the growth engine.
Here’s where insight surfaces:
- Why did I act the way I did?
- Were my feelings justified?
- What impact did my actions have?
- What do I now see differently?
It’s not about being right or wrong—it’s about understanding what this revealed about me, my values, my approach.
3. Now What? — Action
How will I apply this next time? What needs to change—about me, my team, our environment?
This is where reflection becomes transformation.
You ask:
- What support do I need?
- What behaviour should I model next time?
- What’s one change I can make now?
Without this step, reflection stays abstract. “Now what?” turns it into leadership in motion.
Why Reflective Journaling Works for Leaders
- It brings focus in a chaotic day
- It grounds decisions in values, not just urgency
- It fosters emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and calm under pressure
- It supports learning from mistakes without shame
- It makes tacit knowledge explicit—you see your growth over time
How to Start
- Set aside 10 minutes each week—first thing Friday, or last thing Sunday
- Use the model: What? So What? Now What?
- Don’t edit—this isn’t for style, it’s for substance
- Revisit past entries—you’ll see patterns, progress, and possibilities
Final Word
A reflective journal won’t make the noise stop. But it gives you a quiet place inside the noise—a compass when the path isn’t clear.
If leadership is about growth, then reflection is your training ground. And it starts with just three questions:
What? So What? Now What?
About the author
Gideon Schulman
Chief Strategy Officer
Former International HR Director, who has vast experience with HR policies and compliance. Specialises in making sure we follow all current and pending legislation and plan a strategic oversight of the organisation.
Leadership is fast. Decisions come thick and quick. But wisdom? That comes from slowing down—taking time to reflect, not just respond.
One of the simplest, most effective tools I’ve returned to time and again is this: a reflective journal. Not a diary. Not a performance tracker. But a space to think, feel, and grow.
Why a reflective journal matters
Reflection helps turn experience into insight. Without it, we repeat mistakes. With it, we refine our leadership.
And no model captures this better than Terry Borton’s ‘What? / So What? / Now What?’ framework—later expanded by John Driscoll.
The Reflective Model in Practice
1. What? — Description
What happened? Who was involved? What did I do?
This isn’t analysis—it’s recall. Describe the event without judgement.
Example: “I led a board meeting where two trustees clashed over the budget. I tried to mediate but felt my authority waver. The room went quiet.”
2. So What? — Interpretation
Why does this matter? What did I feel then, and what do I feel now? What did I learn?
This is the growth engine.
Here’s where insight surfaces:
- Why did I act the way I did?
- Were my feelings justified?
- What impact did my actions have?
- What do I now see differently?
It’s not about being right or wrong—it’s about understanding what this revealed about me, my values, my approach.
3. Now What? — Action
How will I apply this next time? What needs to change—about me, my team, our environment?
This is where reflection becomes transformation.
You ask:
- What support do I need?
- What behaviour should I model next time?
- What’s one change I can make now?
Without this step, reflection stays abstract. “Now what?” turns it into leadership in motion.
Why Reflective Journaling Works for Leaders
- It brings focus in a chaotic day
- It grounds decisions in values, not just urgency
- It fosters emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and calm under pressure
- It supports learning from mistakes without shame
- It makes tacit knowledge explicit—you see your growth over time
How to Start
- Set aside 10 minutes each week—first thing Friday, or last thing Sunday
- Use the model: What? So What? Now What?
- Don’t edit—this isn’t for style, it’s for substance
- Revisit past entries—you’ll see patterns, progress, and possibilities
Final Word
A reflective journal won’t make the noise stop. But it gives you a quiet place inside the noise—a compass when the path isn’t clear.
If leadership is about growth, then reflection is your training ground. And it starts with just three questions:
What? So What? Now What?
About the author
Gideon Schulman
Chief Strategy Officer
Former International HR Director, who has vast experience with HR policies and compliance. Specialises in making sure we follow all current and pending legislation and plan a strategic oversight of the organisation.
