Do you want to know the best way to talk about someone’s ability to reflect on themselves?
Maybe you’re worried that “self-reflection” isn’t the best term to use here.
That’s okay! We’re here to help you explore your options.
This article has gathered a list of synonyms to show you what to say instead of “self-reflection.”
Other Ways to Say “Self-Reflection”
- Personal assessment
- Introspection
- Self-examination
- Self-contemplation
- Soul-searching
- Self-analysis
- Self-scrutiny
- Inner exploration
- Self-awareness
- Self-evaluation
- Self-review
- Self-observation
- Self-discovery
- Self-inspection
- Self-consideration
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Self-reflection” is correct and is a great way to show that someone is always happy to critique themselves.
- “Personal assessment” works well as a formal synonym if that’s more fitting to your context.
- “Introspection” works well as a more informal alternative if that suits your tone better.
So, keep reading to learn how to say “self-reflection” professionally and informally. We’ve touched on the best two alternatives in both contexts to give you a better idea of how they work.
Also, you can skip to the final section to learn whether it’s correct to say “self-reflection.” It’s always worth skipping ahead if you think the answer to that will be beneficial to you!
Personal Assessment (Formal)
Let’s start with “personal assessment,” which is another way to say “self-reflection.”
This phrase often works really well in business contexts. After all, it suggests that you’re trying to evaluate or assess yourself (or someone else).
It’s respectful and professional.
Therefore, it goes a long way when you include this in an email. It suggests that you’d like to see what someone thinks of themselves before you evaluate them.
This is a common tactic when emailing employees. It allows them to give a more honest opinion of themselves directly before you meet with them to discuss their performance.
You may also check out this email example to learn more about how it works:
Dear Howard,
I would appreciate it if you could provide me with a personal assessment of yourself.
Then, I’ll meet with you to discuss your performance review.
Yours,
Joanna Beets
It’s not only effective in emails, though!
You can also use this phrase when writing a cover letter. It’s a good opportunity to let employers know that you have thought about your actions and learned some positive things from it.
So, you may want to review this resume example to learn more about how you can use this:
I appreciate the chance I get to have a personal assessment. I learn a lot from reflecting on my past mistakes.
Introspection (Informal)
If you’re looking for another word for “self-reflection,” try “introspection.”
Generally, this one-word option is a bit more informal. So, you can use it when you want to talk about someone you already have a good relationship with.
For instance, it might work well when contacting a coworker.
If you’re working through the same team project, this could be a good way to encourage them to reflect.
It’s an effective choice that keeps things polite and respectful when you’d like someone to think about their actions.
You can also check out this example to learn more about how it works:
Hi Martin,
I think you should take some time to go through introspection regarding this.
I don’t blame you for the error, but you could have done some things differently.
All the best,
Charlotte Grease
Also, it might be smart to use this phrase in a resume.
You can use something like this to show that you’re mature and willing to learn from your errors.
This level of personal growth goes a long way in the workplace. Recruiters will see something like this and be thoroughly impressed that you’re always trying to better yourself.
So, you can review the following CV example to learn more about how it works:
I enjoy introspection in the workplace, especially after I make a small error. It helps me to learn more about what’s expected of me.
Is It Correct to Say “Self-Reflection”?
It is correct to say “self-reflection.”
It’s a professional word that suggests someone is happy to critique themselves or reflect on their choices.
Usually, “self-reflection” relates to positive personal growth. So, if someone exhibits it, it’s a good trait to have.
Feel free to review this resume sample to learn how to use “self-reflection” in a sentence:
I went through a lot of self-reflection to get where I am today. I’m so proud of the work I put into getting here.
Of course, you might have noticed by now that the word contains a hyphen. This is required when writing it. Any other format is incorrect.
Here’s a helpful reminder to show you that you must always include the hyphen:
- Correct: He is good at self-reflection.
- Incorrect: My self reflection often leads me back here.
You should also bookmark this page before you leave us! Then, you can return here when you need help remembering the best synonyms for “self-reflection.”