Managers who are self-aware are more creative, make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively.
So why are there so few of them?
I have a tricky question for you: do you have self-awareness? This is a tricky question because if you answer "yes," it might just be a sign that you don't have self-awareness. And if you answer "no," it might just be a sign of encouragement.
What is self-awareness?
It is possible to divide it into internal and external self-awareness.
Internal self-awareness is how we see our values, desires, and aspirations; our fit with the environment, our responses (including thoughts, feelings, behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses), and our impact on others.
External self-awareness focuses on whether we see clearly how others see us in these points. People who are internally self-aware tend to be more satisfied with their work and personal lives; people who are externally self-aware tend to be more empathic and have good relationships with their coworkers.
The best, of course, is to have them both.
Most managers
Most managers are lacking in self-awareness, as success is their greatest enemy. In fact, the more senior you are, the more likely you are to lose not only your hair but also your self-awareness.
Success itself makes you more complacent - after all, if you did so great for a very long time, it seems that you are doing something right, and automatically you are more confident in yourself and sometimes pay less attention.
When you are full of confidence, you less check and ask yourself where you're wrong. People under your management/hierarchy level will be less likely to tell you the truth or to let you know about mistakes and bad decisions you made. They will keep laughing at your not-so-funny jokes and be careful not to disagree with your opinion.
Yes you, Mr. manager, listen carefully
When you suffer from a lack of self-awareness, you may make decisions based on the wrong motivations, take unnecessary risks, and think that you are communicating in one way while others interpret a different message. Without self-awareness, you really don't know what others think of you professionally, and of course, the number of people who can help you think more clearly and make better decisions for your business is significantly reduced.
Monitor yourself, be a better leader
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand one's own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and how they affect others. Developing self-awareness can help managers make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and build stronger relationships. Here are a few ways that managers can improve their self-awareness:
Reflect on your actions and reactions: Take time to think about your behavior and how it affects others. Ask yourself questions like "Why did I react that way?" or "What could I have done differently?"
Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from your colleagues, employees, and even friends and family. This can provide valuable insight into how others perceive you and can help you identify areas for improvement.
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and paying attention to one's thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness can help managers become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and actions, which can help them make more thoughtful decisions.
Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone: By trying new things or pushing yourself to take on new challenges, you can learn more about yourself and your strengths and weaknesses.
Learn from mistakes: Reflect on the mistakes you make and try to understand what led to them. This can help you learn from your mistakes and make better decisions in the future.
Seek professional development opportunities: Many organizations offer workshops and training opportunities that can help managers improve their skills and develop self-awareness.
Keep a journal: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you gain greater insight into yourself.
All of these steps can help managers develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their behavior, which can lead to more effective leadership and better relationships with others. Remember, self-awareness is not a destination, it's a journey and it requires regular practices and maintenance to keep your self-awareness high.