“Let’s reflect on it.”
“Let’s take a moment to think about it.”
“Let it sit and we can look at it during the next meeting.”
We’ve all heard that before and more.
What does reflecting on something really mean and how can we do it better?
I think it depends on the context.
If you are about to make a decision, for example, then reflecting on it means making sure that you have all the information and perspectives necessary to make an informed decision.
If you are talking about something in particular, then “reflect” may mean thinking about how it fits into a larger picture or whether there are other factors that should be considered.
I think the key is to always be thinking about how your actions will affect other people, whether they are customers, employees or partners.
If you do that, then you can reflect on what you are doing and make sure it’s the right thing to do before acting.