Why I Always Reflect at the End of a Quarter (and Why You Might Want To, Too)

Quarter-end can feel like a whirlwind. 😵‍💫

Wrap-up reports, strategy planning, team check-ins - it’s a lot. And in the middle of all that, reflection can easily fall to the bottom of the list.

It’s easy to tell ourselves, “I’ll pause and process later.” But here’s the thing: later rarely happens. And when we skip intentional reflection, we miss one of the most powerful tools we have as leaders. 

Reflection Isn’t a Luxury – It’s a Leadership Practice

Slowing down to reflect at the end of a quarter doesn’t mean losing momentum. That intentional pause brings clarity: what worked, what didn’t, and where there’s room to grow.

It’s also a chance to check in, not just on progress, but on presence. How did we show up as leaders? How did we lead others and ourselves?

What Reflection Looks Like for Me

Every quarter, I make space to sit with a set of reflective questions. Not surface-level stuff, but deeper prompts that challenge me to think about how strengths were used, how my team was supported, and how aligned we stayed to our vision.

Some of the answers are encouraging. Others are a bit uncomfortable (that’s where the growth is). But they always point to something meaningful and give direction for what’s next.

Want to Give It a Try?

If that sounds helpful, I’d love to share the exact questions I use. These are my go-to prompts every quarter to pause, assess, and grow as a leader. 

❓💭You can download them here: Reflective Quarter-End Assessment Questions

Use them on your own or with your team as part of your quarter-end wrap-up. Either way, they’ll help you lead with more clarity, purpose, and intention in the months ahead.