The Power of Reflection: Why Leaders Make Time for It — and Why You Should Too

September 16, 2025

We live in a time of constant noise. Social media, workplace demands, and cultural "shoulds" tell us who we should be, how to act, and what to do next. Yet the most fulfilled and effective people don't simply react to this noise. They pause. They reflect. 

Reflection is how we slow things down and begin to develop our internal compass, our personal North Star, to guide us through change and choice. It aligns us with who we are becoming, not just what the world expects. 

What the Research Tells Us

Reflection isn't just a feel-good practice. Research shows it's a measurable driver of success and well-being:

• Few people actually practice deep reflection. When 95% of people believe they are self-aware, only 10-15% truly are to the level that brings meaningful alignment between self-perception and how others see them (Eurich, 2019). 

• CEOs use reflection strategically. A 2024 Boston Consulting Group report found that CEOs spend 5-15% of their weekly time on reflection, and many wish they could increase it to 20%. They credit reflection with clearer vision, more creativity, and sharper risk awareness. 

• Even short reflection changes outcomes. A 14-minute values-based reflection exercise at ETH Zurich helped unemployed participants secure more job offers by reconnecting them to their values. 

• Autonomy matters. Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report shows that employees with greater autonomy in how they use their time report lower burnout and higher engagement. 

Leaders Who Prioritize Reflection

Some of the most influential leaders carve out time to step back from the noise:

• Bill Gates takes "Think Weeks" twice a year, retreating to a cabin to read and reflect on the future.

• Warren Buffett protects hours of uninterrupted time for reading and thinking daily.

• Oprah Winfrey journals consistently, using writing to process her values and life direction. 

• Jeff Weiner, former LinkedIn CEO, blocked hours each week for uninterrupted thinking time. 

These aren't corporate off-sites or mandated activities. They are personal, self-chosen practices that anchor leaders in clarity and purpose. 

Why Personal Retreats Work

Reflection is most powerful when it's chosen. Motivation research (Deci & Ryan's Self-Determination Theory) shows that autonomy is essential for fulfillment. A "retreat" doesn't have to be organized by the employer or even be elaborate. 

It might look like:

• A weekend away from devices to reset.

• A long walk with only a journal and a pen.

• 30 minutes on Sunday evening reviewing the week: What did I learn? Where did I honor my values? Where do I need to realign?

What matters is creating an intentional pause, a step back from the external noise, to reconnect with your inner compass. 

What Organizations Should Do

If leaders at the top already protect time for reflection, shouldn't organizations empower everyone to do the same?

That does not mean mandating retreats. Instead, organizations can:

• Normalize reflection. Leaders should model their own reflective practices and talk openly about them.

• Create space. Protect no-meeting times or offer well-being hours employees can use for reflection.

• Provide resources, not mandates. Journals, reflection prompts, or stipends can be offered, but left to the individual's choice. 

• Respect boundaries. Employees should not feel guilty or behind for using time to step back. 

When organizations encourage personal reflection time, employees return with clarity, energy, and alignment, benefits that ripple into culture, innovation, and retention. 

Build Your Compass

If some of the world's most successful leaders carve out space for reflection, ask yourself: What might change if you gave yourself that same gift?

It doesn't take a week away in the cabin. Start small: 15 minutes this week. Close your laptop, set aside the noise, and ask yourself:

• What did I learn this week?

• Where did I align with my values?

• What noise do I need to release, and what truth do I need to hold onto?

Your personal North Star isn't "out there." It's already within you, waiting for you to slow down long enough to notice it. 

✨ Reflection isn’t a luxury. It’s a strategy. One worth practicing weekly — for yourself, your leadership, and your organization.