Becoming Self-aware
Self-awareness is a critical trait for effectiveness in life in general. It is the ability to recognize and understand your own thoughts, feelings, and actions and their impact on yourself and others. Being self-aware can help you to better manage your emotions, build stronger relationships, and make sound decisions.
One technique for self-awareness learnt long ago on a Public Health Leadership Course (thankyou Andrea Thompson and Catapault Ltd) was to picture yourself on a balcony above the situation you’re currently in. Observe the players and the game and work out a means of best managing the situation. This has been enormously valuable to me both personally and professionally.
Leadership requires a great deal of self-awareness because it is not just about managing others, but also managing yourself. A leader who lacks self-awareness is likely to struggle with issues such as ego, micromanagement, and a lack of empathy for others. Therefore, self-awareness is essential for a leader's success.
If you wish to influence a team of people to become more self-aware you first must model it. Then use that as a tool, explain what you’re doing, getting up on the balcony and looking at the playing field. When you’re dealing with any challenges between members of your team encourage them to go and take time to do this and then reconvene with their reflections.
Self-awareness also gives us some respite from our often overactive thinking and tendency towards worrying about everything we do. It is helpful to remind ourselves of what we are and are not in control of. To be able to reflect and consider what we need to take responsibility for and what we must let go of, even if that does not happen immediately.
The critical step for self-awareness is reflection – find your balcony. Have a trusted few that you can discuss challenging matters with but do this after you’ve been on the balcony a while, as it will give you more insights to be able to discuss. Leadership Coaching can assist with this too. Give me a call if you wish to know more 022 672 7707.