Leader Self-Awareness

Knowing What you Know

Have you ever worked with someone that just “doesn’t get it”? 

HELLO? 

Where is the leader self-awareness? Well what if YOU were the one that did not get it?  If you are researching this web site for ways to improve your leadership skills, perhaps you are more likely to be self-aware.  Hmm – yes I think so.

SO that presents the problem – you either get it or you do not.  And if you do not get it, me telling you to “get it” probably will not make a difference.

That’s okay.

Instead, focus on what you can do and hope that you are one of the getters.

Your first task, understand your emotional intelligence, then look at what you need from others as far as feedback and self-management.

Emotional Intelligence

The term Emotional Intelligence has been widely and variably defined. In the business community it generally reflects the ability to effectively understand others, relate well to people, understand one’s own behavior, and respond effectively to ones own surroundings and its spontaneous demands.
Test your sensitivity by listening to others.  Are you accused of being insensitive?  Are you unsuccessful when it comes to handling emotional issues?  Are people visibly uncomfortable talking about sensitive issues around you or not?

Without some specialized coaching from Dr. Holstead, I do not know how else I can help you in this arena. So consider coaching and then let’s move forward.

Feedback from Others

Easy to get.  Challenging to interpret.  Maybe.

If you work in an environment where feedback flows easily, I congratulate you, unless the only feedback you ever get is negative.  But know this: positive feedback is contagious.  Once you start giving it, it becomes more the norm and others are likely to contribute as well.  Good.

So make it a regular part of your day to pass along something positive. 

If you like that advice, see the excerpt of The To-Do List for Leaders: 249 Rules for Success

Self-Management

Hold.  Hold.  Hold.  And relax.
Do you have loooooong conversations with yourself in order to maintain control?  GOOD!  That means you have a degree of self-management.  You know how to self-talk.  And talking to yourself is a key technique in raising awareness and managing behavior.

Improved self-management for leaders also entails knowing situational leadership and knowing when to get coaching for improved work performance.

As you have probably guessed, though, effective self-management requires ongoing feedback as well as some implicit  emotional intelligence.  So all three of these factors in Self-Awareness are intertwined.

Go back to visit the other 2 aspects of exceptional leadership: Ability and Reinforcement.