How Self-Awareness Can Unleash Your Team's Potential
How do we see ourselves as we truly are and not as we wish we were?
It’s a buzzword – self-awareness! But how do we know if we don’t know? It can be super hard to really see ourselves clearly, fully, and analytically.
Those who have very little of it bluster through life and react badly if you point this out to them. And we know how destructive these people in leadership positions can be. This is not about them.
We likely also know some who are overly self-aware. They can end up in loops of over-sensitivity, people-pleasing and anxiety. Not a great option either.
How do we find a good middle ground AND why would we want to?
Well, the why is easy:
We want to be respected.
We want to be trusted.
We need to understand and know ourselves better if we are going to lead well.
As leaders, these things are vital for our teams to work with and not against us. As leaders, we want to be removing our team’s blocks and easing frustrations, not adding to them. Self-awareness helps us do that.
The self-aware leader is inspirational vs the unaware bad boss who creates chaos, resistance, and unease wherever they go.
But, and here’s the rub, self-awareness is tricky. Using the self to understand the self, when the self is limited or flawed is complicated.
So, here are some surefire ways to work on this ability. You won’t get it 100% right. Nobody does. But you will find it makes a huge difference in how you develop as a leader and how your team works with you.
To be more self-aware:
Reflect, daily!
At the end of each think about what you got right and what you could have done better, and how.
Look to your emotions.
They are super messengers telling you where problems lie. The guilt, anger, fear, or other reaction you felt today, that’s saying, “Please look here.” Use it as a flag marking an area in which you need extra help and support.
Find yourself a neutral and observant mentor or two.
Not somebody above or below you in pecking order, just someone who is around often enough to notice you and how you are being. Spend time reflecting with them on how things are going, and on your behavior and its impact on others. Listen!
Get feedback from your team as often as possible.
Be open to hearing things that create an emotional reaction. Learn to delay that reaction and reflect. As questions such as: How could I have helped you more? What do you need me to do for you? How would you like to handle this?
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it creates space for you to grow and learn. And we all have room for that.
By understanding and managing your own behaviors and emotions, you instantly become a better, more effective leader. It’s that simple!
How often do you self-reflect? How do you do it best?
My book CERTAINTY: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation contains more great insights and never-seen-before leadership tools. Buy from Amazon now.
Until next time.
Mike
