I’m fascinated by the question of how leaders become self-aware because it seems like such a daunting challenge for so many of them. I was facilitating a leadership training a few years ago and it became apparent that several participants had no idea how they were viewed by their employees or what kind of workplace environment they were creating. I had staff members confide in me during breaks that the way these leaders were portraying themselves was very different from how other people perceived their actions.
Becoming self-aware is important because it allows you to make positive adjustments and become an even better leader. Here are some practical questions you can ask yourself to start developing your level of self-awareness:
- Think about your behavior. What works, what doesn’t, and what might you do differently?
- How well do you deal with your and others’ emotions?
- How does your thinking affect your workplace?
- What are the unresolved issues inside you that require healing?
- How do your employees really view you?
- What type of work environment does your leadership create?
- What situations keep coming up in your workplace and how does your leadership style affect them?
- What type of results do you get and at what cost?
- How open are you to learning new things and changing your leadership approach?
Think about questions like these and you’ll begin the process of becoming more self-aware. Leaders who take a look at themselves are able to grow and adapt because they’re open to examining their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. They have the ability to welcome change and improve their skills. They also get to be happier because they can let go of the things that don’t work and focus on approaches that do.
Becoming more self-aware doesn’t mean tearing yourself down or feeling like you’re a failure, it’s a process you embark on to become stronger and more proactive. What would you add to this list?
Cheers,
Guy