Encouraging Self-Aware Managers
Your managers are the backbone of your business, the people who make sure operations run smoothly, employees are happy and sales are growing. When you have self-aware managers, you exponentially increase your chances of success in all areas of your business. A self-aware manager understands themself as well as how team members see them, and that knowledge is a powerful tool to help improve performance all around. Self-awareness is the foundation for better understanding and motivating others.
Businesses can encourage self-aware managers by providing them with tools that help them practice self-reflection. With this, they can understand their own attitudes, behaviors and beliefs. Emphasizing the need for self-aware, empathetic leadership throughout your organization will help create an atmosphere of appreciation and improvement. Employees and management thrive in a supportive environment like this, and the business benefits from an engaged workforce.
Promote External Self-Awareness
Self-awareness can be either internal or external. While internal self-awareness focuses on an individual’s characteristics, external self-awareness centers around understanding how others react to you. In some cases, a manager’s impression of themselves may be at odds with how individuals on their team see them. Misunderstandings can easily arise in this situation. Organizations can help managers develop external self-awareness by encouraging them to observe other people’s reactions, creating methods to offer constructive feedback and promoting a culture that values empathy.
Offer Tools for Continuing Self-Awareness
To truly yield results, self-awareness is a process that should be ongoing. Companies can help their managers continue the process with resources, such as books, seminars or coaching services. Implementing 360-degree feedback may be helpful. Self-assessments also may provide a helpful metric to guide managers in developing self-awareness. Perhaps the most important tool is leading by example—if your managers can see that the company appreciates self-awareness, they’ll value it as well.
Crosworks can help individuals and organizations who want to improve, succeed and advance. We provide career coaching, executive coaching and a host of customized resources designed to assist people and businesses to find clarity and fulfillment. Contact us today to learn more about our services.