How To Build Leadership Self Awareness

A tricky and introspective, self-awareness-type question to see what we’re dealing with:

To what extent do you have a well-developed capacity for honest self-introspection and self-evaluation, and to what extent do you possess a high degree of leadership self-awareness?

Mark yourself from 1-10:

1 = Self-awareness, what’s that?

10 = I consistently and intentionally work on developing my self-awareness skill.

I follow a daily program of introspection and incorporate reflective as well as reflexive practice into my daily leadership journal.

I ask for feedback and critique often.

I am not afraid to ask for help recognizing that leadership courage is defined by the extent that I am prepared to exhibit vulnerability and consistently try to stretch my comfort zone(s) and eliminate my leadership blind spots.

Since you’re not a ‘10’, because almost nobody is (yet), you likely self-rated as a 5, or a 6, perhaps. Maybe even a 7…on a good day.

Here’s the big catch, though —almost everyone who has low self-awareness is entirely convinced that they have a very well-developed sense of themselves. And almost everyone who possesses a very well-developed self-awareness skill knows that they do not. Ouch!

Ask most people and they will say that they’re an above average driver. Think about the math of that, it’s impossible. Most leaders feel that they are amongst the smartest in the room – and the most driven, and the most experienced, and the most result-oriented, etc etc.

The most successful leaders know that they are not the finished article. They know that they should intentionally have a self-development plan and work it. They know that they should hire to their own gaps and weaknesses. They know that wisdom comes from evaluated experience NOT time served. The most successful leaders (in fact, the most successful anything) journal every day. Their leadership journal, amongst many things, vastly increases leadership skill, leadership self-awareness, and leadership insight.

NEWSFLASH
Leaders who have a well-developed sense of self-awareness typically do very well at developing their leadership skills, capabilities, and competencies; those who don’t, invariably don’t.

There are countless studies that demonstrate that leaders with high Emotional Intelligence (EQ) far outstrip the achievement of those who have high IQ. Technical skills will not get you as far as self-awareness will.

Self-awareness is at the heart of Emotional Intelligence, and it allows leaders to futureproof themselves and, in turn, their people and, in turn, their business. Futureproofing yourself, your people, and your business is the number one objective of great leadership, after all.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” – Rumi.

If you want to build leadership self-awareness, start journaling. If you’re not sure what to write, when to write, how much to write or why, click the link below.