Written by: Nicole Lucas, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Self-aware leaders know who they are and what they’re working towards. How do we assess our self-awareness and how do we develop it? In this article, we’ll dive into three areas that are key to assessing and becoming a self-aware leader.
Identity is a critical component of life, for it is by identifying someone or something that we can respond accordingly. For example, when you pick up an iPhone, one instantly identifies that it is an Apple product and is able, if they are familiar with it, to navigate the device accordingly. The same goes for an Android device. Identity determines function. Additionally, when you work on a team of people and hold the title of Graphic Designer, then the identification of your role as a graphic designer will determine your primary function on your team. Identity determines function. The same goes for who you are as a person in life and at work. Know who you are. Your identity determines your function. According to the American Psychological Association Dictionary of Psychology, identity is defined as: an individual’s sense of self-defined by (a) a set of physical, psychological, and interpersonal characteristics that is not wholly shared with any other person and (b) a range of affiliations (e.g., ethnicity) and social roles. The work of knowing who you are and identifying what makes you uniquely you, has to do with self-awareness. So how do you become a self-aware leader?
By creating a list of values, characteristics, and goals that you want to be known for. Let’s dive into the different facets of this list.
Values
Values direct our behavior. They are a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life. Here are some important questions to ask yourself:
What principles or standards of behavior come to mind when you think about yourself?
What would others say – your family, coworkers, friends – about the principles or standards of behavior that direct your daily life?
How do you feel about the current principles that are coming to mind?
Are there any that you would want to change? If so, why?
What values would you want to replace them with and why?
If people were to ask you what your values are, would you be able to answer them?
Characteristics
Qualities are the distinctive attributes or characteristics that a person possesses. They’re part of who we are that makes us uniquely us. Think about a loved one or a close friend. What adjectives would you use to describe them to someone who doesn’t know them? You could say they’re compassionate, funny, sassy, kind, determined, hardworking, creative, hilarious, joyful, quiet, loud, outgoing, or reserved. You get the idea. Take the same set of questions from above and apply them here:
What characteristics come to mind when you think about yourself?
What would others say – your family, coworkers, friends – about the characteristics that make you uniquely you?
How do you feel about the current characteristics that are coming to mind?
Are there any that you would want to change? If so, why?
What characteristics would you want to replace them with and why?
If people were to ask you to describe yourself, would you be able to answer them?
Goals
Goals are the object of a person’s ambition or effort, an aim or desired result. They’re the things that we strive to achieve in our life and work. Think about three previous accomplishments in your life or work. Do you have them in mind? Great. Answer the following questions:
What did the journey to accomplishing them consist of?
Why do you consider them accomplishments?
I asked these two questions to a close friend of mine. Here’s what she said about receiving her Oncology Nursing Certification (OCN), “The journey consisted of hours and hours of studying, hours and hours of test taking, and lots of personal sacrifices away from family and friends to prioritize the time to get it done well. I consider preparing for and receiving my OCN a significant accomplishment because I know that the knowledge I have gained has prepared me to recognize symptoms in patients sooner, which in turn, allows for early intervention, and better patient outcomes.”
That’s a great explanation! We can extract two important components from her answers: success and the ability to competently serve others at a higher level.
Now, most goals fall into this category. When we work towards achieving something and accomplish it, we not only feel a sense of success (“I did it!”), we are also recognized by others as being successful at something (“You did it! You are good at that!”). Additionally, we also feel more competent to do something at a higher level – with more confidence and the possibility of success. Which not only serves us but most importantly, it serves the people and organizations we work with and for.
Here are some questions to consider concerning goals:
What goals would you like to accomplish?
Why are they important to you?
How would you go about accomplishing them?
Is there anything that might stand in the way of you accomplishing them? If so, what? How would you remove the obstacle?
Goals are a part of life, they come in all shapes and sizes. If someone were to ask you what goals you're working towards personally and/or professionally, would you be able to answer them?
Self-aware leaders know who they are and what they’re working towards because they have a list of values, characteristics, and goals that they want to be known for. Who you are as a leader in life and work - your identity – determines your function. Discovering the answers to the questions above will change the way you live and lead for the better.
If you would like to develop these areas and grow your leadership skills in general, visit my website to learn more about the ways I can help you take your life and leadership to the next level. You don’t need a formal education to lead a team or to navigate situations confidently, you just need a leadership coach that can teach you how to become an influential leader that people will love to follow. I can help. Visit my website to schedule a free consult today. Let’s get started!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Listen every Monday to The Coffee and Creative Leadership Podcast for more insights on leadership and team culture development.
Nicole Lucas, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Nicole Lucas, is the Founder and CEO of The Creative Level, a leadership coaching and consulting agency with the mission of helping individuals and teams reach the next level in their life and leadership. She is also the creator and host of the Coffee and Creative Leadership Podcast. With a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and over a decade of experience in leading individuals and teams, Nicole finds great joy in providing people with the essential and practical tools to become healthy and skilled influential leaders.
