Self-reflection—servanthood

Mark Deterding

Self-reflection—servanthood

We are coming to the close of another year. I believe servant leaders are intentional about reflecting on the past year and envisioning what they want to accomplish in the upcoming year as a regular year-end practice.

  • As you reflect on the past year, here are good fill-in-the-blanks to consider:
  • I advanced my personal purpose by:
  • Things that I am grateful for in 2018 would include:
  • My major accomplishments would include:
  • My key learning  and areas for improvement would include”
  • Accomplishments I can celebrate:
  • People that helped me along the way: 
  • My personal development opportunities: 
  • My key goals for the upcoming year: 

Once you’ve taken time to reflect on this year and discern what the information tells you, a good next step is to envision the upcoming year. Build a picture one year out of what you want the upcoming “ideal year” to look like. 

High-performing servant leaders are always thinking about the future and what they want to create. 

Benefits of envisioning what an ideal 2019 looks like would include:

  • Refocus of your personal purpose
  • Priorities for the upcoming year
  • Basis for setting a 2019 goal program
  • A plan to draw people into accountability with you to insure that “ideal year”
  • A plan for personal development

What are your usual year-end practices to both reflect on the past, and envision a great future? 

Photo source: istock 


Mark Deterding is the founder and principal of Triune Leadership Services, LLC. In 2011 he formed Triune Leadership Services to follow his passion of working with leaders to help them develop core servant leadership capabilities that allow them to lead at a higher level and enable them to achieve their God-given potential. He is married to his wife Kim, and they have two sons, two lovely daughter-in-laws, and three wonderful grandchildren. This article was first published on triuneleadershipservices.com. Used with permission. Learn More »

More on Vision & Culture


Don't miss any of this great content! Sign up for our twice-weekly emails:

Free eBook

Leading With Eternity in Mind: The Tension of Now vs. Next

Do you need a perspective shift? In this helpful leadership book, Tim Tucker explores how holding a clear vision of the “next” changes how we live and lead in the “now.”

Download Now


Our Writers

Ryan Sanders serves as the Director of Content for BiblicalLeadership.com.

Echo VanderWal is the co-founder and executive director of The Luke Commission, which serves …

Jim Farrer is the founder of Vital Signs Church Consulting and a member of the …

Already a member? Sign in below.

  or register now

Forgot your password?

b'S1-NEW'