First, personal experience is crucial. Beyond experience lies interactive learning through dialogue, the exchange and development of ideas between two or more people. Dialogue engages the conscious learning process. Incorporated throughout this process of learning is reflection. Reflection involves recalling personal experiences and observations, and mentally connecting them with various thoughts and ideas.
Reflection allows individuals to examine and modify personal perspectives.
Observation learning cannot be ignored, however. Leadership through example is powerful. Student affairs professionals must remember that personal values and ethics are reflected through actions. Students' willingness to engage in active learning with practitioners will be influenced by perceptions based upon observed behaviors. This is the question that guides our work, our behaviors, and our lives.