Reflexivity in Action: the Capacity That Sets Senior Leaders Apart in Turbulent Times

Most senior leaders are practised at reflection. They review decisions, learn from feedback, and adjust over time.

Far fewer have developed reflexivity: the capacity to notice themselves in the act, while still
in the moment—and adjust accordingly.

This capacity is not purely cognitive. It requires staying connected to one’s embodied experience,
using the felt sense of the body as a real-time source of information about what is happening within and between people.

Drawing on their recently published research in Action Research journal, Jacqueline and
Bruno will share:

• three observable shifts that mark this capacity,
• three practices that build it, and
• three challenges they’ve experienced with
  bringing it into the broader world

Senior leaders will leave with a clearer sense of the difference between reflection and reflexivity, and three practices they can immediately put to use to develop their own reflexivity capability.

Insights shared in this webinar are drawn from the following paper:

Van Paassen, J., & Pešec, B. (2026). Embodied Collaborative 
Developmental Action Inquiry to Become More Reflexive 
Research-Practitioners in Action. Action Research, 24(1), 33–48.v

Link to full research paper.

This session is designed for senior leaders, organisational change professionals, and reflective practitioners working in complex, fast-changing environments.

It will be especially relevant for:

• Senior leaders and executives leading transformation and culture change
• Organisational development and change practitioners
• Leadership, coaching, and people development professionals
• Consultants and facilitators working with complexity and systems change
• Leaders seeking to deepen their capacity for awareness, judgement, and adaptability in the moment
• Professionals interested in advanced practice and doctoral-level thinking in organisational change and leadership

Whether you're leading change directly or supporting others through it, this webinar offers practical insight into the reflexive capacities increasingly needed in turbulent times.