Pioneering family mediator Michael Lang just released the second edition of his book, The Guide to Reflective Practice in Conflict Resolution. He provided an account of his development as a mediator as one of the Ten Real Mediation Systems. He is the co-director of the Reflective Practice Institute International.
Michael’s book builds on Donald Schön’s classic work, The Reflective Practitioner. Michael writes that reflective practice is more than a set of methods and processes. It also is a “distinct mindset of being curious about and attentive to unexpected events and being open to new explanations and interpretations.” The book is valuable for practitioners at every stage of one’s career, from novice to seasoned practitioner.
He identifies the following attributes of a reflective practitioner:
- Exercise curiosity – maintain a boundless and childlike sense of wonder.
- Be resilient – remain calm and confident in the face of doubt.
- Nurture simplicity – avoid unnecessary complexity; seek the core.
- Value ambiguity – do not be bound by limiting assumptions.
- Pay attention to detail – exercise the power of noticing what may be new.
- Learn ceaselessly – be willing to explore the unknown, even at the risk of failure.
- Resist certainty – remain open to new perspectives.
- Balance commitment and flexibility – be thoughtful and confident while remaining humble.
- Embrace failure as your mentor – actively seek to learn from experience.
- Practice humility – acknowledge our uncertainties and welcome opportunities to learn from them.
The methods of reflective practice include reflection-before-action (preparing for an engagement), reflection-in-action (considering what is happening in the moment of an engagement), and reflection-on-action (analyzing an engagement that occurred).
The book includes chapters on theory, research, reflective debrief ®, reflective practice in training and education, and reflective practice groups as well as 13 very practical appendices.
It is full of anecdotes, illustrations of reflective practice conversations, and exercises for readers.
It includes a particularly valuable chapter on reflective practice groups. These are important because many people don’t have the discipline for self-reflection but may blossom in reflective practice groups. It also includes a chapter on reflective practice in training and education to help practitioners develop good reflective habits from the outset of their careers.
The book can be helpful for faculty. Courses often include debriefing of simulated and actual practice experiences. Faculty may learn improved techniques for debriefing and encourage students to regularly use reflective techniques when they are in practice.
Take a look.
