At Iverson Software, we know that even the best systems need regular reviews to prevent technical debt. Critical Reflection is the human equivalent of a system audit. It is the conscious process of analyzing our experiences, beliefs, and actions to uncover the underlying assumptions that shape our reality. By practicing reflection, we move from being “reactive users” to “intentional architects” of our own lives.
1. Reflection vs. Thinking: What’s the Difference?
It is easy to confuse “thinking about something” with “reflecting on something.”
-
Thinking (The Processing Layer): Aimed at solving a specific problem or reaching a goal (e.g., “How do I fix this bug?”).
-
Critical Reflection (The Meta-Layer): Aimed at understanding the process (e.g., “Why did I assume the bug was in the front-end? What biases led me to overlook the database?”).
2. The Gibbs Reflective Cycle
To make reflection a repeatable process rather than a random thought, philosophers and educators often use the Gibbs Reflective Cycle. This provides a structured “CLI” (Command Line Interface) for your thoughts:
-
-
Description: What happened? (The raw log data).
-
Feelings: What was I thinking and feeling? (The internal state).
-
Evaluation: What was good and bad about the experience? (The performance review).
-
Analysis: What sense can I make of the situation? (The root cause analysis).
-
Conclusion: What else could I have done? (Alternative logic paths).
-
Action Plan: If it rose again, what would I do? (The system update).
-
3. Identifying the “Implicit Code” (Assumptions)
The core of critical reflection is uncovering Assumptions. These are the “default settings” of our mind that we often take for granted.
-
Paradigmatic Assumptions: Deep-seated beliefs we view as “objective facts” (e.g., “Hard work always leads to success”).
-
Prescriptive Assumptions: Beliefs about how things should happen (e.g., “A manager should always have the answer”).
-
Causal Assumptions: Beliefs about how things work (e.g., “If I provide data, people will change their minds”). Reflection helps us test if these “if-then” statements are actually true.
4. The Benefits of “Downtime”
In a high-speed digital world, reflection requires intentional “latency.”
-
The Reflection-in-Action: Checking your assumptions while you are doing a task (Real-time monitoring).
-
The Reflection-on-Action: Looking back after the task is finished (Post-mortem analysis). Taking this time allows for Double-Loop Learning—where you don’t just fix a problem, but you change the underlying rules that allowed the problem to occur in the first place.
Why Critical Reflection Matters to Our Readers
-
Professional Growth: By reflecting on your projects, you turn “years of experience” into “years of wisdom,” avoiding the trap of repeating the same mistakes annually.
-
Improved Leadership: Leaders who reflect are more aware of their biases, leading to fairer decision-making and better team morale.
-
Agility: Critical reflection is the engine of adaptability. When the “environment” changes (new tech, shifting markets), reflective individuals can quickly update their mental models to stay relevant.
