those times when your choices weren’t the best. New strategies and
tactics can later be deduced from these writings.
Journaling is an important part of reflection, especially in adult
learning. Adults learn best and have better retention when they
consciously take time to reflect on their learning. A journal can help to
trace changes in one’s thinking over time. Journaling can also be
guided, with questions provided from an outside source.Step 2: Have participants practice journaling by explaining the basics.
Distribute the paper or individual spiral notebooks that will serve as
their leadership journals.
Give participants 10 minutes to identify three things they learned
about leadership that day and to how these will help them change a
current practice. These thoughts should be recorded in their journal
immediately. Ask the group to think of "prompts" that can get the members
started writing in their journals—things that will make the process
comfortable and meaningful. For example, How are you doing
emotionally?or What aha! moment did I have during this session?are
good prompts that can be written in the front of their journals.Step 3: Review the following journaling basics:
It is best to write the journal entry immediately, without worrying
about every detail.
Set up a regular time to write in your journal. Your experiences and your thoughts will help you understand your
own behavior.
If you get “stuck” during your regular journal time, just write whatever
comes to mind. Then, later on, re-read what you wrote and reflect on
why you are stuck at this particular time.Step 4: There will be points during this leadership program when we will ask you
to add thoughts to this journal, so be sure to bring it to every session.
Also, use the journal at work to jot down more observations about
leadership—yours and others.
LAY THE GROUNDWORK, ENERGIZE PARTICIPANTS, AND THEN CLOSE^33