Self enabling reflective process

 The self enabling reflective process outlined below presents the process found by the project team to be most effective in assisting institutions to engage in cycles of reflection associated with the action outcomes identified in the Action framework. This is in keeping with the notion that distributed leadership is a dynamic process that is most effective when accompanied by action reflection to scaffold action through cycles of change. In this process emergent issues are able to be discussed and adjustments made as a process of continuous change and improvement. This sets a basis upon which collective engagement in long-term change can be achieved. Institutions may vary the steps in process to suit particular situations.

 

Step

Reflection on practice

Reflective prompts

One

Identify where a distributed leadership approach is to be enabled

Is this an Institute wide focus, or does it affect a particular section, group of people, program or project?

Two

Identify the criterion (from the action framework above) for distributed leadership on which to focus

Which of the four criteria will provide the initial focus for this project?

Three

Identify the dimension and the associated values (from the action framework) for distributed leadership in relation to the chosen criteria

Which of the four dimensions will provide the initial focus for this project?

Four

Reflection on current action
(as identified in the intersecting cell of the action framework)

What is the extent to which the identified action item occurs currently?

Five

Reflection for further action

What action could be taken to identify existing opportunities that have not yet been taken advantage of?
What action could be taken to identify new opportunities?
What action could be taken to generate new opportunities?
What action should be taken to ensure these new opportunities are sustainable?

Six

Reflection to ensure integrated concerted, supportive action

 

How does the proposed action arising from these reflective prompts affect the other criteria and dimensions?
What change is needed in the other four criteria to ensure that the proposed action is implemented?

Seven

Identify a plan of activity to achieve the desired action outcome

Indicative questions:

What action needs to be taken?
Is there a preferred sequence?
Who needs to be involved in action?
What time period is involved?
Is there need for training/facilitation in reflective processes?
What finance is needed?

Eight

Reflect on the outcomes of the action taken in terms of the desired action outcomes

Indicative questions:
What worked well?
What needs improvement?
Who else should be involved?
What changes are needed in future actions?

Nine

Adjust the reflective process as needed to flexibly accommodate the specific institutional context and culture

Indicative questions:
What difficulties has the process of reflection encountered that is related to the specific institutional context?
Do these difficulties warrant a change to the process?