Have the Courage to Be Self-Aware

To me, self-awareness is all about perspective and shifting the way we see and act in the world. It requires the courage to not just look “at yourself, but for yourself.” Today’s leaders are expected to deal with organizational complexity and uncertainty with the added challenge of time and resource constraints. They are not only challenged to do more but also be more. Effective, self-aware leaders start by examining their own values, belief systems, and assumptions, and, as a result, can bring their whole, intact selves into the workplace.

Self-awareness is the cornerstone of the emotional intelligence frameworks developed by scholars Goleman, Salovey, and Mayer. The process of self-observation increases the courses of action as well as enables deeper, more effective professional relationships. Self-awareness provides the deep sense of knowing that is described in this Brené Brown quote, “Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and clarity of our purpose…Daring Greatly is being all in. It is showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”