The Value of Self-Awareness

Organizations gain a lot more from leaders who take responsibility for what they know they don't know than from leaders who pretend to know everything.

What recently occurred to me in an "aha" moment is this: self-awareness is one of the most valuable leadership competencies, yet it is one of the least discussed. In an effort to appear task-focused and "business-like," organizational feedback often gravitates toward hard skills and competencies that are more easily measurable. 

Have You Thought About This?

People who don't know their strengths and weaknesses actually tend to overestimate themselves. Research literature and my own coaching experiences have shown that poor self-awareness leads to poor performance and, frequently, termination. 

We live in a highly competitive culture. I've watched more than a few leaders and leader wannabes try to appear as if they know everything all the time. They believe that if they don't, people will question and even challenge their capability, undermining their leadership effectiveness. In fact, the opposite is true. Whether you acknowledge your weaknesses or not, those around you still see them. The result: trying to hide a weakness actually magnifies it, leading to a perceived lack of integrity and, ultimately, trust. 

Knowing yourself helps you use your strengths better, develop where you can, and avoid or compensate for areas where you are unskilled or just plain unsuited. 

The simple truth: People who know themselves better do better.

Helpful resource: Chris Musselwhite was ruminating over similar issues back in 2007, and wrote a terrific article on Self Awareness in Inc. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/yj2st6x

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A quick note on comments: Due to a heavy travel and speaking scheduling, plus the holidays, I've been remiss in responding to comments in a timely way. My apologies to all who have taken time to weigh in and add to the conversation. All Things Workplace has always been a forum for discussion. I'll be getting caught up this week and we'll get the conversation rolling again. Thanks to everyone who has added their expertise and thoughts in the comment section. 

Comments

[John Coxon]

Hi Chris
This problem doesnt only exist with people in leadership roles. It's that old ego thing. I have also observed it, as well as fallen foul of it myself from time to time, amongst people who don't know when to say No. They have a very high self belief, that they can do almost anything. Which to a degree may be true, they can do almost anything but they cannot always do it effectively or efficiently. The real issue, I believe is not just having an awareness of our own strengths and weaknesses but also having the ability to ask for help by others to counterbalance our weaknesses. Collaboration requires us to share knowledge and sometimes we are not very good at that.
Good to be able to share these ideas.

[Ian Mondrow]

Leaders should not only be aware of their own strengths but also help their employees with their self-awareness. As stated in the articles, higher self-awareness = higher performance. Therefore, the benefit of increasing self-awareness could increase the overall team performance; thus, reflects positively on you as a leader.

[Mary Jo Asmus]

Another interesting thing about self knowledge is that by knowing ourselves better, it seems to pave the way for understanding others. I'm not sure how that works, but have just observed it to be true much of the time.

[Chuck Hebert]

Great post Isn't it interesting how much more insight you gain when you take the time to stop and ask questions of yourself? It is so clairifying.

[Rakesh Kumar]

Till now i am failing but i know that i will be success because i believe in hard work and on my confidence.

[Chris Young]

Great post Steve - It never ceases to amaze me how such a "soft" skill can have such a big impact on a leader's effectiveness!

I have included your post in my Rainmaker 'Fab Five' blog picks of the week (http://www.maximizepossibility.com/employee_retention/2011/01/the-rainmaker.html) to share with my readers in hopes that they seek out a greater level of self awareness as part of their own leadership development.

Be well!

[Poul Andreassen]

It is amazing to know that there are articles like this on web ...

[Kacey]

I believe that self awareness is not only an asset for leaders in the business setting, but in life in general. And it's true that it is a rarely discussed topic. Instead of trying to hide weaknesses, you could point them out and see if anyone has suggestions. You never know who may have had the same issues that you have now, you could probably get a lot of insight from co-workers or family members.

[Steve Roesler]

Kacey

Describing an area in which one is unsure, then asking trusted colleagues and friends for their observations, is a good way to find out "how I'm doing." By acknowledging that you yourself are aware of a struggle, you give people permission to more comfortably address it and, hopefully, offer some helpful insights.

Way to go.

[Perry James]

I agree with Kacey. It may be difficult to hear, but if you can listen to constructive criticism and use it to better yourself, it can only help you. People that are around you everyday will definitely be able to give you more insight on your strengths and weaknesses, and will probably have suggestions on how to work on your weaknesses.

[Chris]

This reminds me of an Inc. article I read: http://www.inc.com/resources/leadership/articles/20071001/musselwhite.html

[Steve Roesler]

Chris

Terrific article. With your permission I'll use it as an addendum to the post. We must have been in similar moods at different times. Mine was prompted by a series of executive coaching sessions which prompted those brief, and similar, thoughts.

Thanks for adding the resource. . .

Steve

[Chris]

It's a good topic. Like they say, great minds think alike.

[Steve Roesler]

Ah, let's roll with that one, Chris. The Inc. article is up there now as well.

Thanks for the useful addition to the topic. . .

[Chris]

Oh, for clarity, I'm not the author of the Inc post. I just realized we have the same first name. Pure coincidence.

[Steve Roesler]

Well, it's a welcome addition and I appreciate the resource.

[goodsha]

this is a great post. it's amazing how we go through like not knowing who we really are in terms of our strengths and weaknesses. . employers in turn employ employees based on what they say a c.v. i guess out door training and social treats can help employers figure out what positions and tasks best suits people.communication is essential for any organization to succeed.