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Insights

Leadership Insights

“To add value to others, one must first value others.”
— John Maxwell
 

Leader Insights

Information and resources that equip leaders to take their leadership practice and results to the next level by utilizing proven methods of development and change.

Leader Self-awareness and Its Implications

Leader introspection can foster greater self-awareness and enable leaders to make informed decisions, build trust with their teams, and navigate complex situations effectively.  A leader must know what may help and hinder their performance and team dynamics.  In addition, a leader must know how they are perceived by others — their reputation.  Armed with self-awareness calibrated with feedback about one’s reputation, a leader may be better positioned to recognize the need for and potentially adapt behavior for increased effectiveness.

Some practical considerations to increase self-awareness and to calibrate:

  • Emotional intelligence: Recognizing and managing your own emotions, as well as understanding the emotions of others, allows you to create a positive and productive environment. (Goleman, D., 1998. Working with emotional intelligence.)

  • Self-reflection: Regularly and critically evaluating your thoughts, actions, and motivations helps you identify blind spots and areas for improvement. (Drath, R. H., & McCauley, C. D., 2005. The adaptive leader: Leading through change and uncertainty. Jossey-Bass.)

  • Feedback seeking: Actively seeking constructive feedback from diverse perspectives provides valuable insights into how you are perceived and areas where you can grow. (Lencioni, P. M. 2006. Feedback: The art of receiving and giving helpful advice.)

  • Humility: Recognizing your limitations and acknowledging mistakes allows you to learn from experience and be open to new ideas. (Kouzes, B. Z., & Posner, B. J., 2017. The leadership challenge: Five essential practices for exemplary leaders. John Wiley & Sons.)

A leader who lacks self-awareness can have a detrimental impact on their teams, leading to cover-ups of mistakes and inefficient decision-making. To address this, organizations must support individuals in developing self-awareness. Valid and reliable personality assessments offer insights aiding individuals in understanding their strengths, potential derailers, and unconscious values.

Cultivating self-awareness and behavior adaptation is an ongoing process, requiring feedback and support from managers, colleagues, and coaches.  A professional coach can provide objective perspectives, debrief assessment results, and help leaders connect insights to their professional contexts. In addition, a coach can emphasize the importance of accountability and actionable steps in setting and achieving development goals.

References

Day, D. V. (2001). Leadership development through self-awareness and reflection. Human Resource Development Review, 10(3), 279-290.

Avolio, B. J., & Goleman, D. (2007). Emotional intelligence in leadership: Succeeding from the inside out. John Wiley & Sons.

Manz, C. C. (2012). Self-leadership theory: Theory, research, and application. SAGE Publications.

Daniel Burns