The more self-awareness you possess, the more positively you view your environment because you’re able to deal effectively with your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, which leads to beneficial beliefs.
Your leadership style reflects what you believe about the world: If you think change is undesirable, your workplace will reflect that perspective; if you believe that trying new things is advantageous, your workplace will move in that direction. Your level of self-awareness and the resulting beliefs impact how your organization functions and sends your employees distinct messages about their roles and importance. Let’s look at two leadership belief systems and the underlying messages they broadcast:
We’ve Always Done It this Way
- Don’t rock the boat.
- Do as you’re told.
- Change is scary.
- Keep things as they’ve always been.
- Flexibility is weakness.
- Don’t question.
- Follow the rules.
- Know your place.
- Keep your ideas to yourself.
- There’s only one way to solve a problem, my way.
- Self-awareness is discouraged.
Something New, Better or Different Is Possible
- Shake things up.
- Do things based on your own judgement.
- Welcome change.
- Be open to trying new things.
- Flexibility is agility.
- Question things.
- There are no rules.
- Design your own role.
- Share your ideas freely.
- There are many ways to solve a problem.
- Self-awareness is valued.
When I describe these two leadership approaches when I consult with organizations, someone who lacks self-awareness will inevitably say something like, “There has to be order and someone has to be in charge, you can’t just let everyone do what they want,” to which I answer, “Why not?”
Leaders can design any type of workplace they want. They can give their employees power by allowing them to think and act independently, develop new ideas and question current practices or they can keep making people toe the line and do what’s always been done. The only obstacle is what they believe is possible.
What will you do to develop self-awareness and use your beliefs to build a healthy workplace for everyone?
Cheers,
Guy