How to become a more self-aware leader when you're on top
Senior experience and a position of power can lead to a false sense of confidence in one’s own leadership ability. A recent study revealed that even though most people believe they are self-aware, only 10-15% of people actually are. Evidently the majority of leaders are unaware of a problem. So how do we become a more self-aware leader in the first place?
Conscious Leadership Training
I have been exploring, coaching and teaching conscious leadership for over 5 years now. Conscious leadership is the skilful art of being able to stop, reflect and act. This skill enables business leaders to make conscious decisions. By delving into this topic, my clients have been able to free themselves from ongoing, unresourceful frustration and disappointment at work and all areas of their lives.
Testimonial
‘Thank you for providing us with an engaging, reflective and insightful learning session. I think I speak for all attendees when I say it was equal parts confronting and inspiring. The gift of knowledge is a treasure, and the highest treasure is self-knowledge. I now feel that I have the tools and know-how to become a more self-aware leader. ’
STEVEN M. Managing founder of a boutique consultancy specialising in tech, agility and innovation.Now is the time
It’s the perfect time to leverage the gap between science and the practical application of self-awareness.
Research suggests that a high degree of internal and external self-awareness is key to:
- becoming more confident,
- being more creative,
- making sounder decisions,
- building stronger relationships,
- communicating more effectively &
- being promoted more frequently.
What kind of Leader are you?
An examination of internal and external self-awareness led to the identification of four archetypes:
- Seeker
- Pleaser
- Introspective
- Aware
Self-awareness as the underutilised leadership skill
Leaders who focus on building both internal and external self-awareness can learn to see themselves more clearly and reap the rewards. The most exciting news for all life-long learners is that no matter how much progress we make and how much we learn about ourselves and others, there’s always more to learn.
Asking the right questions is the answer
There are many ways of increasing internal and external self-awareness. Asking the right questions is essential. Executive coaching is questioning the client to come to long-lasting insight. It is, therefore, one effective way to take advantage of the many benefits of being an aware leader.
Testimonial
‘I simply didn’t like where I was. Under the guidance of Susanne, I was able to turn things around and have now tripled my income.
SHIRIN D, Executive Agile Coach
References
Inspired by the Harvard Business Review article ‘What Self-Awareness Really Is (and How to Cultivate It)’https://hbr.org/2018/01/what-self-awareness-really-is-and-how-to-cultivate-it by Dr. Tasha Eurich;
Photo by mentatdgt via Pexels.com;
By Susanne Rauer, GAIA Coaching , Executive Coaching Sydney, February 2019.
Meet the author: Susanne Rauer.
☎️ Ask a Specific Question
Please feel free to send me a LinkedIn message with your feedback or book in a 15 min call for any specific questions you may have. I am looking forward to continued meaningful connections.
Meet the author
Susanne Rauer, Executive Master Coach at GAIA Coaching – Executive Coaching Sydney, April 2019.
An Executive Coaching Point of View (ExCoVi)
As an Executive Master Coach and Trainer, I am very fortunate to work with various talented, high-achieving and wonderful people. Every time I coach, I learn something new about my client, our society and myself. The summary of thoughts is based on emerging themes across all kinds of interactions I have; be it one-on-one executive coaching, group coaching or coaching training. ExCoVis are meant to invite people to think differently based on scientifically or statistically proven understanding and lateral thinking. None of the content is meant to offend anyone in any way and is rather an invitation to discuss different executive points of view with respect and integrity. The content is shared to raise awareness and to inspire people to integrate their conscious and unconscious mind and therefore transform unconscious behaviour into conscious behaviour.
GAIA Coaching – Your boutique executive coaching partner – Sydney, Australia.
