Stillness Is Strength: Build Your CORE Through Self-Reflection

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14 Apr

Stillness is strength - build your CORE through self-reflection

Part 1 of a two-part series on what it means to lead from your CORE — Courage, Optimism, Resilience, and Empathy. This piece explores strengthening your emotional core through stillness, reflection, and inner clarity. Because before we can lead others with impact, we must lead ourselves with intention.

Hey there - yes, you. The one leading from the front, but still catching your breath between meetings, dinner plans, and self-doubt. You’re ambitious, capable, and doing your best to lead well. But leadership isn’t just about charging forward - it’s also about pausing, checking in, and aligning who you are with how you lead.

Jack Welch, the legendary GE CEO, used to block out what he called “thinking time” in his calendar. Why? Because the best leaders don’t just do - they reflect. In the words of John Maxwell, reflective thinking is the practice that transforms experience into insight.

At the pace of modern life, we no longer need to hustle. We need more honest stillness. That’s where your core strength is built - not in the doing, but in the becoming.

Why Reflection Matters Now More Than Ever

We live inside our heads. All of us. Even the most confident leaders battle self-doubt, harsh inner critics, and a fear of falling short. Years ago, a CEO mentor looked me straight in the eye and said:

“What are you worrying about? It does nothing but slow you down. Get over it.”

Then he added a quote I’ve never forgotten:

“Worry is like a rocking chair - it gives you something to do but doesn’t take you anywhere.”
– David Molapo

That conversation changed me. He helped me see that most of what I was dwelling on belonged in the Circle of Concern - the things I couldn’t control. But reflection helped me shift my focus to the Circle of Influence - what I could control: my mindset, choices, and growth.

That’s when I started making self-reflection a daily habit - not because it was easy, but because it was essential.

Start with a Simple Question

You don’t need a journal or a new app to start. You need a question - and the courage to answer it honestly.

Try this:

Did I show up today as the leader (and human) I want to be?
What pulled me off course—and what pulled me back on?
What am I grateful for right now?

Reflection distils fact from fiction, reveals patterns, strengthens one's emotional core, and helps one lead with authenticity, not anxiety.

Reflective Thinking: Your Leadership Force Multiplier

In Thinking for a Change, John Maxwell outlines 11 powerful thinking types. Number 7 is Reflective Thinking - the most critical for personal growth. It’s about:

Slowing down to process your experiences
Learning from your wins and your mistakes
Gaining clarity so your future is led by insight - not impulse

It’s how you turn “just another day” into personal development.

This isn’t indulgent - it’s productive. It’s a leadership practice as vital as strategy or communication.

How I Built the Habit (And You Can Too)

When I started, I had to force it. I literally set a calendar reminder: “Reflection Time.” It was just 10 minutes at the end of my workday. Some days, I wrote, and some days, I just sat and stared. But it became my emotional checkpoint - a place to breathe, sort, and reset.

Try these:

Record a voice memo while walking
Keep a sticky note with one question each day
Reflect during your wind-down routine at night

Find your rhythm. Start small. Be consistent. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up for yourself.

Reflection is Your Reset Button

In a world of noise, reflection is your quiet edge.

It gives you:

Emotional clarity when everything feels messy
Confidence from knowing you’re aligned with your values
A better night’s sleep (trust me)

So, take that moment. Pause. Ask the question. Write the thought. Start small - but start. This habit doesn’t just make you better - it helps you stay you.

Final Thoughts: Lead from Your CORE, Not Your Calendar

Here’s what I know: The best leaders aren’t the busiest. They’re the clearest. And clarity comes from reflection.

So, block the time, ask the questions, and build the habit. Every day is filled with emotional, mental, and spiritual data, and reflection is how you decode it.

Lead from your CORE, not your calendar.

The storm may be outside, but the strength. That’s built within.

In Part 2, we’ll move from reflection to action, exploring how your CORE becomes your anchor in chaotic, high-pressure environments.