5 Tips for becoming more self-aware

Self-awareness is becoming a buzz phrase in business leadership. Businesses are realizing that self-awareness is an important trait or discipline that lends itself to increase influence, being a better decision-maker, and a more effective leader. It’s what helps you to be the best version of yourself, as well as a great leader.

​In the book ‘Insight’ written by Organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich, she takes on a topic in which most people belief they have mastered but haven’t, self-awareness. Eurich analyzed people who have significantly improved their self-awareness and reviewed hundreds of studies to better explain why we as a sociality are so disconnect with our Self-Awareness and how to change this. 

What exactly is Self-Awareness?

Self-Awareness is the ability to align your thought, emotions and actions with your personal behavior and values. Meaning, having a clear understanding of your personality and behavior, strengths and weakness, beliefs, motivations, and desires. As well as an understanding on how your personality traits, habits, and abilities affect your interactions with the people around you. This is particularly important in the workplace.

So why is self-awareness so crucial for career success?
 
Well, leaders who are self-aware actively reflect on how their words and actions are perceived by others and work to improve themselves so they can lead more effectively. As a result, self-aware people tend to perform better at work, get more promotions and lead more effectively. Also, companies with self-aware professionals have experienced more robust financial performance.
 
A question you might ask yourself to expand your self-awareness is ‘Who am I?’ A simple yet profound question. After all, how well do you really know yourself?
 
According to Eurich, who, through a series of surveys, determined that 95 percent of people consider themselves self-aware. But in fact, only 10-15% percent of people are actually self-aware.
 
So, why the disconnect?

Eurich offered three reasons for the disconnect. The reason is that people have a natural blind spot. We are wired to naturally run on autopilot. Completely unaware of how they are behaving and why. The Second is the ‘feel good effect.’ Eurich describes the ‘feel good effect’ as the positive light we prefer to see ourselves in. The last reason is what Eurich refers to as ‘the Cult of Self.’ It’s the idea that we have become more self-absorbed with the ever-growing popularity of social media. 

So how can we become more Self-Aware?
Here are 5 tips to expand your Self-Awareness:

1. Keep an open mind: To be a successful leader, you have to be curious about new people and all they have to offer; this shows that you can be a team player and do not need to be number one. The more open you are to others, the more creative you become.

2. Know your strengths and weakness: Self-aware people know their own strengths and weaknesses; they are able to utilize this information to their benefit. They know when they have a task or situation under their control and when to reach out to others for assistance.

3. Know your trigger: Self-aware individuals can identify their emotions as they are happening. So, don’t repress your emotions or deny their causes. Instead, embrace them. Allow yourself to fully process your feeling before communicating with others.

4. Ask for honest feedback: The best way to know how you come across to others is to receive feedback from others. Tell your friends, peers, mentors, and clients that you are looking for their open, honest, and objective perspectives. Be open to what they have to say and use this information to improve and grow.

5. Take personality and psychometric tests: Take these personality and psychometric tests to help you understand what traits you possess. Some popular tests that are focused on increasing self-awareness include the Myers-Briggs test and the Energy Leadership™ Index (ELI) assessment. ELI is a one-of-a-kind assessment that enables people to hold up mirrors to their perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and overall leadership capabilities.

* To learn more on about the ELI Assessment visit www.LillianKaiser.com/eli.html