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Dear Beloved Readers,
Reflect to Excel: Harnessing the Power of Reflection in High-Performance Teams
I trust this newsletter finds you all well and warm.
In South Africa, we are in the middle of our winter, which for me is a wonderful time for reflection. It is the mid-point of the year, and a useful time to stop, pause, and reflect.
In this edition I will share the benefits of taking time out to reflect and also provide an update on the activities of MM&A.
Reflect to Excel.
In the relentless rhythm of deliverables and deadlines, reflection can feel like a luxury. But high-performance teams know it’s the key to growth, agility, and trust. Strategic reflection isn't just about reviewing the past—it's about amplifying what works, correcting what doesn't, and unlocking deeper collaboration.
Recent research from Saville Assessment shows that reflection improves decision-making, accelerates learning, and strengthens team cohesion. In short: teams that reflect outperform those that don’t.
Real-World Spotlight: From Burnout to Breakthrough
At a global consulting firm, a high-performing team delivered outstanding client work—but the pace came at a cost. After one especially grueling project, leadership piloted a simple weekly “Lessons Learned Circle.” Just 20 minutes every Friday with one prompt:
“What did we learn this week that could help us (and others) do better next time?”
At first, answers were surface-level. But by week three, powerful insights emerged—issues with time zones, decision fatigue, and missed feedback loops. Armed with these reflections, the team:
📌 Cut project overruns by 25%
📌 Boosted team satisfaction scores by 40%
📌 Shared practices firmwide, raising the bar globally.
Why Pause to Reflect?
As one leader put it: “Before, we were just delivering projects. Now, we’re building capability.”
Reflection in Practice: Tools You Can Use:
📌Stop/Start/Keep: What should we stop doing? Start doing? Keep doing?
📌Pluses and Deltas: What worked well? What needs improvement?
📌Silent Write-Down: Three quiet minutes to jot down insights—then share.
📌Reflection Buddy System: Peer-to-peer reflection chats build accountability and connection.
Remember: if it’s not scheduled, it won’t stick. Add reflection to your team rhythms like any other performance habit.
The Leader’s Role
Great leaders model reflection themselves. They protect time, ask powerful questions, and create space for vulnerability. As Adriane Krahe notes, “Teams that prioritize reflection don’t just improve incrementally—they set themselves up for sustainable success.”
Final Thought
As we close this quarter, I encourage you and your team to press pause—just for a moment. Reflect on the wins, the lessons, and the people behind them. Because when reflection becomes a habit, excellence follows.
Until next time, keep growing with purpose.
Warm regards, yours in coaching
Marichen M. Mortimer
MM&A update:
Thank you to each and everyone one of you who supported the launch of my book: Building High Performance Teams for Success. The launch was a tremendous success, and I am grateful to many who have contributed to this success as I am now a bestselling author.
If you have not got your copy of the book, feel free to order from my website:
www.marichenmortimer.com.
