Self-aware leaders are effective leaders

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Self-awareness is foundational to effective leadership. Leaders who are in tune with their own behaviors, emotions, and impact on others are better equipped to lead with empathy, make informed decisions, and foster a positive work environment. I want to talk about why self-awareness is so important for leaders and offer some practical ways to develop your self-awareness.

Why is self-awareness important?

More productive relationships

Leaders with high self-awareness are acutely aware of how their actions and decisions affect their team. They recognize how their behavior changes in different contexts – dealing with superiors, peers, or direct reports. This awareness helps them adjust their approach to maintain positive and productive relationships across all levels.

Improved team performance and engagement

A leader’s ability to tailor their interactions based on the audience ensures more effective communication, fosters trust, and minimizes misunderstandings. When leaders understand the impact of their behavior, they can create an environment where team members feel valued and understood; this improves team performance and employee engagement.

Manage stress responses

Self-aware leaders can identify how they react under stress or when they aren’t effectively self-monitoring. Recognizing these patterns allows them to manage their stress responses and avoid negative behaviors that could undermine their leadership and the team’s morale.

When leaders are aware of their own emotional triggers, they can manage their emotions more effectively; this helps them maintain composure under pressure, build trust, communicate more effectively, be more effective with conflict resolution, and be a better decision maker.

Set a positive example

Leaders who are aware of their strengths and limitations are more open to feedback and are committed to continuous improvement. This not only benefits their own growth, but also sets a positive example for their team.

How leaders can gain self-awareness

Work with a coach

Engaging with a leadership coach provides a structured and supportive environment for developing self-awareness. A coach acts as a mirror for the leader, reflecting back their behaviors and patterns in an objective manner. This helps leaders see themselves more clearly. Leaders tend to be more open to feedback from a neutral party, allowing them to receive constructive criticism without feeling defensive. Coaches also help identify blind spots and help leaders continuously reflect on their behavior.

Take a Hogan assessment

The Hogan Leadership Insight Assessment is known as the gold standard for measuring personality traits, derailing behaviors, and drivers that impact leadership effectiveness. This assessment is particularly useful for identifying patterns that may not be immediately apparent and offers a data-driven approach to development. Hogan is the gold standard because the assessment results tell us how you are likely perceived by others in the workplace, which is helpful to predict job performance and fit. You can learn more here: www.awcoach.co/hogan-assessments

Solicit feedback

Solicit your own feedback regularly. Remember that vague questions will likely lead to vague, unhelpful feedback.

Consider these questions to solicit feedback:

▪️ What do you think I might have done differently that would have been more impactful?

▪️ What specific suggestions do you have on how I can better prioritize tasks and ensure timely completion?

▪️ Can you share any instances during the team meeting where I could have communicated more effectively?

Reflective practices

Incorporating consistent reflective practices into daily routines can help leaders pause and consider their actions, behaviors, and decisions. This introspection fosters a deeper understanding of their motivations and reactions, which enhances self-awareness over time.

Consider these reflection prompts to get started:

▪️ How did my behavior and decisions today impact my team? Were there any moments where I noticed a shift in their engagement or morale?

▪️ In what situations did I feel most stressed or challenged today? How did I respond and what can I learn from these reactions to improve my future responses?

▪️ What feedback have I received recently? How am I continuing to incorporate it?

▪️ What went well in that meeting? What might I improve next time?

Reflect on your own level of self-awareness. Where do you think you can improve or grow? What are you willing to commit to do to get there? By enhancing your self-awareness, you can improve your decision-making, strengthen your relationships, advance your career, and lead more effectively.

In today’s fast-paced, rapidly evolving business landscape, effective leadership development is non-negotiable. Clients consistently report that their work with Amber results in elevated leadership skills, increased productivity, reduced turnover, and enhanced interpersonal effectiveness. Clients have built and led high-performing teams, fostered self-accountability, and seen less resistance to change initiatives. Many have attained promotions, boosted their confidence, and taken control of their time and energy.

Self-aware leaders are effective leaders

Why is self-awareness important?

More productive relationships

Improved team performance and engagement

Manage stress responses

Set a positive example

How leaders can gain self-awareness

Work with a coach

Take a Hogan assessment

Solicit feedback

Reflective practices

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