The art of self-awareness is absolutely key to being a successful leader. Why? Because we always judge ourselves on our intentions. And others judge us on our behaviour.
We might think we are being focused, empowering, direct, authoritative, in control and motivational but we might actually be being seen as too controlling, too direct, too over the top or even coming across as a bully. Leaders, you need to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses and then build a team around you to make sure that if you have a particular weakness that you employ someone with strengths in this area. As a leader you must work with your hand-picked dream team so that you’ve got the whole picture of your business covered – by the right people.
For you as a leader, self awareness is particularly key ingredient in the recipe for success. There is increasing talk now about personal branding – you have one whether you realise it or not and it is the collection of perceptions of what people think about you. How do you want the people you work with to perceive you? You should be bothered.
When you leave the office what do you think people say about you? It’s important to identify your Blind Spots (the areas through feedback that you should know about) and work on improving them. You must understand your core values because your staff will also know what is important to you and you make decisions based on your values every single day.
Leaders are judged on their behaviour. How congruent are your personal values with your work-based values?
Do you know what’s really important to you? Do you know what you stand for? Do you know how you come across to others?
Perhaps it’s time you took some time out to determine who you really are on the inside between your ears. People are making decisions about each other all of the time. In a leadership role it is vital that you are a congruent and authentic leader in order to be successful at attracting followers. I’m not talking here ‘followers’ like in social media. A leader cannot be a leader without followers and followers (your staff) want to be led, and led well. It is important that everyone who works for you feels proud to do so.
So who do you think you are?