The Power of Introspection for Executive Development

Abstract

This article advocates that psychologists help coach senior executives through introducing the appreciation of introspection. Introspection is not a topic that is in vogue, but has a 100 year history in psychology. Helping executives understand and capture the power of introspection is based upon a cornerstone of leadership development … objective, accurate self-awareness leads to emotional maturity. Maturity is an essential characteristic of “C” suite executives. With introspection, the majority of the effort is done solely by the executive him/herself with guided instruction from the psychologist/coach. This makes the process low cost and convenient. Mature judgment is most called for when a decision is “51–49.” If the executive is aware of his/her unconscious biases it can positively tip the scales in favor of making the right call. Through asking and reflecting on critical personal leadership questions, understanding the nature of positive introspection, and removing the bias of the ego, executives can grow in their own time and place.