What Does a Self-Aware Leader Look Like?
Self-awareness gives people insight into their characteristics, skills and abilities. For those in leadership positions, developing self-awareness is one of the most important steps toward becoming a more effective leader.
A self-aware leader:
Strives to make better decisions for themselves, their team members and their business Has greater chances of improving their company’s financial position Contributes at a higher level and adds value to their industry Establishes realistic, attainable goals Earns the respect of their team members by being honest and accessible
A self-aware leader has in-depth understanding of their own triggers, strong points, motivation and priorities. Additionally, self-aware leaders consider the needs of their team members and the overall goals of the company. Only with self-awareness can you truly learn to appreciate, motivate and engage others.
Did you know that 95% of people think they are self-aware but 10-15% actually are?
Leadership Qualities of the Self-Aware
When we think about self-awareness, we’re often thinking of internal self-awareness, which relates to an individual’s familiarity with their own beliefs, attitudes and personality. Another type of self-awareness is external, which involves a person’s understanding of how others perceive them. It’s essential for leaders to develop both kinds of self-awareness. Characteristics of a self-aware leader include:
- Self-control and the ability to effectively manage emotions
- Reflection on their actions and how they affect others
- Empathy and compassion
- Understanding of differences and how others respond to them
- Demonstrating good judgment and decision making
- Flexibility and adaptability
Improving Leaders’ Self-Awareness
Improving a leader’s self-awareness requires providing the support and tools they need to truly examine their strengths and weaknesses. Businesses can help increase their leaders’ self-awareness by encouraging them to look closely at how others react to them, providing actionable feedback and promoting greater empathy and communication in the workplace. Increasing your leaders’ self-awareness is an investment that will pay off with better employee engagement, fewer complaints and increased productivity. At
Crosworks, our executive coaching services are tailored to the needs of the individual and the organization. Contact us today to discuss how we can work together to achieve your goals.