The Gibbs Reflective Cycle
How to Use Gibbs Reflective Cycle for Reflective Practice
Have you ever been in a tough situation and later wished you'd managed it differently? This is a universal human experience.
An awkward moment at work, a fight with a friend, or a presentation that didn't go well can leave us puzzled and uncertain about how to respond.
It's tempting to just forget about it and move on. But taking time to reflect on experiences systematically can help us learn and improve for the next time. That's where the Gibbs reflective cycle comes in handy.
Let us walk you through this model of reflection.
What is the Gibbs Reflective Cycle?
Psychologist Graham Gibbs created the Gibbs reflective cycle in the 1980s. It gives structure to the reflective process by walking you through six key steps:
Description - What happened? Just the facts.
Feelings - What emotions came up?
Evaluation - What went well or didn't?
Analysis - Why did things happen this way?
Conclusion - What's the major thing you learned?
Action plan - What will you do differently next time?
Let's explore each stage so you can start using this approach to reflection.
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1. Describe What Happened
The first step is to objectively describe what happened without judging or analyzing it. Imagine you're telling someone who wasn't there about the basic play-by-play. Stick to just the facts about who, what, when, and where.
For example: "Yesterday, I had a team meeting with the five members of my group. When I brought up reassigning tasks for our current project, two members got upset and said they were already overwhelmed."
2. Examine Your Feelings
Now that you've explained what happened, be honest about how the experience made you feel, both in the moment and looking back later. Did your feelings change over time? Don't sugarcoat it - being honest is key.
For example: "I felt surprised and frustrated when they pushed back on the reassignment. I thought they were avoiding extra work. Now I feel concerned that I misread their workload."
3. Evaluate What Went Well or Badly
Time to make some judgements based on the situation. What parts of the experience were beneficial or positive? What didn't go so great and needs work? Consider it from multiple angles.
For example: "The team got to share their concerns openly, which was good. But I didn't respond sensitively and just told them the tasks had to be reassigned. I dismissed their feedback."
4. Analyze Why It Happened This Way
Now, dig into why things played out the way they did. Were there influencing factors or assumptions you or others made that led to the outcome? There are always multiple perspectives to consider.
For example: "I assumed that because they had fewer tasks assigned than others, they should take on more. But I didn't take the time to understand their workload fully or get their input on the plan."
5. Summarize Key Lessons Learned
What major takeaway or lesson emerged for you from this experience? How have your views changed based on reflecting on what happened?
For example: "The main thing I realised is that I need to spend more time listening to team member's concerns rather than bulldozing ahead with my own agenda."
6. Make an Action Plan
This final stage is crucial. Figure out what you will do differently next time to apply what you learned. Come up with practical goals or steps so your insight becomes action.
For example: "In the next team meeting, I will start by asking each member how they are managing their workload. I will involve the whole team in establishing reassignment priorities rather than handing decisions down."
So that's the basic rundown of this reflective cycle. You move from just describing the objective facts to exploring subjective reactions and evaluations, to making meaning from it all and planning how to adjust going forward.
When Should You Use the Gibbs Cycle?
Reflecting is useful when you've been through a complex or emotional experience and feel you have something substantial to learn from it.
Some examples:
After a conflict at work
When you get critical feedback from your boss
After bombing a presentation
When you fight with a friend or partner
When important work projects don't go as planned
Tips for Getting the Most from Reflecting
Here are some tips to make your reflections really count:
Take time - Make sure you don't rush through the stages.
Write it down - Putting your reflections in writing solidifies your thinking.
Follow the stages - Don't skip ahead; otherwise, you'll miss key insights.
Be honest - This is for your eyes only, so leave self-judgement behind.
Consider other perspectives - How might others see the situation? What assumptions do you have?
Apply your learning ASAP - Make your action plan concrete so you actually change.
Why Bother with Reflection Anyway?
Who has time for reflection, right? But investing time in thinking systematically about experiences has many benefits:
It helps you make sense of challenging situations.
You develop self-awareness by examining your own psychological processes.
You learn faster from both good and bad experiences.
It allows you to foster a growth mindset.
Structured reflection is one of the most effective teaching methods. So, by taking time to reflect using the Gibbs model, you learn from living rather than just living. Experiences become teachers rather than just things that happen to you.
When you make reflection a regular habit, you create a path where you are continuously evolving, developing emotional intelligence, and showing up wiser than the day before.
Summary
Here are the key things to remember about using the Gibbs reflective cycle:
It has six steps - describe, feelings, evaluate, analyse, conclusion, action plan
It structures reflections by moving from facts to analysis and meaning-making
Reflect soon after complex or emotional experiences
Take all the time you need a quiet space
Follow each stage fully for rich insight
Be honest with yourself
Wrap up with specific actions based on your new understanding
Do it regularly to embed reflective skills
Apply lessons immediately to similar situations as they arise
So next time you think "I could have handled that better!" about an experience, take some time to walk through the Gibbs cycle. You'll gain valuable wisdom to take with you into the future.
Gibbs Cycle FAQs
How does the Gibbs Reflective Cycle compare to other models of reflection?
The Gibbs Reflective Cycle offers a structured approach for reflection, distinguishing itself by emphasising emotion alongside analytical thought, which may not be as pronounced in other models like Kolb's Learning Cycle.
Can the Gibbs Reflective Cycle be used in personal life situations outside of professional contexts?
Its flexibility allows application beyond professional contexts, including personal growth and daily life situations, encouraging a holistic view of experiences.
What are the challenges or limitations of using the Gibbs Reflective Cycle?
Implementing the cycle might present challenges, such as the potential for overly subjective reflections or difficulty in detaching from emotional responses to evaluate actions and outcomes critically.
We are Coaching & Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience helping people to develop reflective skills and conquer performance and wellbeing issues. Read more about our work, watch practical skills videos or browse other articles. Get in touch anytime.
