MCHnow: Advancing MCH Leadership Skills
MCH Leadership Competency 2: SELF-REFLECTION

Introduction
Turning Inward: Enhancing Leadership Through Self-Awareness...
Self-Reflection is an essential competency that encourages MCH leaders to examine their thoughts, actions, and impact, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness in the field. This skill forms the foundation for personal growth, improved decision-making, and more authentic leadership in maternal and child health.
In Self-Reflection, we strive to look beyond surface-level behaviors and delve into the underlying motivations and values that shape our leadership. We lead with curiosity about ourselves and our impact on others. Where possible, we connect our personal insights to improved outcomes for MCH populations.
MCHnow provides a jump start to Self-Reflection through a Ready-Set-Go approach. Use the following resources to start your learning, dig deeper, and move from knowledge to practice.
READY: Understand the Importance of Self-Reflection
Watch this short video to gain an introduction to the competency.
Read more. The Self-Reflection competency emphasizes the importance of examining one's own thoughts, feelings, and actions to gain insight and improve leadership effectiveness. This foundational skill supports your ability to make informed decisions, develop effective strategies, and ultimately improve MCH outcomes.
For MCH leaders, self-reflection is essential for:
- Developing a deeper understanding of personal biases
- Identifying personal strengths and areas for growth
- Exploring leadership styles and their impact on teams
- Maintaining professional boundaries and work-life balance
As MCH leaders, practicing self-reflection allows us to:
- Improve communication and interpersonal skills
- Make more informed and ethical decisions
- Adapt leadership styles to different situations
Core knowledge areas include:
- Impact of self-assessment on leadership style
- Characteristics and applications of different leadership styles
- Sources of personal fulfillment, resilience, and stress management
SET: Expand your Knowledge with Trainings and Resources
Deepen your understanding of Self-Reflection with these trainings and resources:
GO: Apply Your Knowledge with Practical Tools
Use these tools to incorporate self-reflection into your MCH leadership practice:
- MCH Navigator Self-Assessment Tool: Evaluate your MCH leadership competencies and identify areas for growth.
- Leadership Style Self-Assessment: Identify your primary leadership style and understand its impact on MCH challenges and team management.
- Personal SWOT Analysis Worksheet: Identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as a leader in the MCH field
- Team Dynamics Quiz: Complete a quick two-minute assessment to evaluate your team's effectiveness, communication, goal clarity, conflict resolution, and morale. Gain insights and tips to enhance team performance in your MCH leadership role.
- Leadership Self-Reflection Guide: Access a structured approach to self-reflection, including pre-meeting focus, post-interaction analysis, and ongoing mindset evaluation to enhance your effectiveness as an MCH leader.