Self-Awareness: The Foundation of Personal and Leadership Growth

As leaders, we often focus on developing our teams, guiding them toward success, and driving organizational goals. But one critical truth stands out: your personal development is just as important as your team’s. Self-awareness is the cornerstone of this growth, serving as the bridge between who you are today and who you aspire to be. Let’s explore why self-awareness is vital for effective leadership and how you can cultivate it to unlock your full potential.

The Cycle of Growth Through Self-Awareness

Growth is a continuous journey. As we evolve, we uncover areas where we can improve. By embracing change and working on these areas, we grow further, only to discover new opportunities for development. This creates a powerful cycle of growth. As the Law of Awareness states: You must know yourself to grow yourself. Self-awareness is about understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and values. It’s about accepting who you are while striving to become the person you want to be. This clarity enables authentic leadership, informed decision-making, effective delegation, and stronger relationships with your team. As John Maxwell wisely said, “When we are foolish, we want to conquer the world. When we are wise, we want to conquer ourselves.”

Who Are You, Really?

There’s a saying that we are not just one person but a combination of perspectives: who we are, who we think we are, who our family thinks we are, who our friends think we are, and who our acquaintances think we are. In The Self-Aware Leader, we learn that the less we know ourselves, the more we tend to “role-play” to fit others’ expectations. In contrast, the better we understand ourselves, the more consistent and authentic we become across all situations.True self-awareness manifests in three key ways:

1. Consistency: Stable moods, values, and principles allow leaders to be reliable and effective.
2. Openness and Transparency: Being candid, even in tough situations like performance reviews, fosters trust and helps others grow.
3. Willingness to Address Weaknesses: Self-aware leaders acknowledge their shortcomings without defensiveness and surround themselves with people who complement their weaknesses.

As Socrates famously said, “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” The more we understand ourselves, the wiser and more effective we become.

The Two Challenges of Self-Awareness

A Harvard Business Review article titled What Self-Awareness Really Is and How to Cultivate It highlights that the two greatest challenges leaders face are internal: awareness of themselves and changing themselves. While 95% of people believe they are self-aware, only 10-15% truly are. This gap underscores the need for deliberate effort in developing both internal and external self-awareness.

• Internal Self-Awareness: Understanding your values, strengths, and weaknesses. It’s about knowing what drives you and where you fall short.
• External Self-Awareness: Recognizing how others perceive you. This requires seeking candid feedback and being open to how you “show up” in different contexts.

These two dimensions are independent, but both are critical. Leaders who focus solely on internal self-awareness may miss how their actions impact others, while those who prioritize external perceptions may lose sight of their core values. The most effective leaders balance both.

A Real-World Example: Jesse’s Journey

Consider Jesse, a marketing manager who early in his career focused heavily on internal self-awareness. He made bold moves, like leaving accounting to pursue his passion for marketing. However, during a company training session, candid feedback revealed that he wasn’t paying enough attention to how others perceived him. By embracing external self-awareness and seeking feedback, Jesse achieved a new level of success and fulfillment. His story reminds us that growth requires honest conversations with ourselves and others.

Cultivating Self-Awareness

So, how can you become more self-aware? Here are practical steps to start your journey:

1. Seek Feedback: Ask trusted colleagues, friends, or mentors how you’re perceived in various situations. Since you “live inside” yourself, external perspectives are invaluable for understanding your impact.
2. Reflect Regularly: Take time to assess your values, strengths, and weaknesses. Journaling or meditation can help you gain clarity.
3. Embrace Vulnerability: Be open to addressing your weaknesses without defensiveness. This willingness to learn fosters growth.
4. Act on Insights: Use what you learn to make intentional changes. Growth isn’t just about awareness—it’s about taking action.

The Path to Wisdom and Leadership

Self-awareness is the result of maturity, feedback, and a willingness to change. It’s not a destination but a lifelong process that fuels personal and professional growth. By knowing yourself—both internally and externally—you can lead with authenticity, make better decisions, and inspire those around you to reach their potential. So, take the first step today. Ask yourself: Who am I, and who do I want to become? Then, seek feedback, embrace the cycle of growth, and conquer yourself. That’s where true wisdom—and exceptional leadership—begins.

You can find more Self-Leadership strategies from my lesson (Cindy) titled, Self-Leadership: Developing Your Insight & Strategy, in our Leading at the Next Level program. Give it a try and stay tuned for more inspiration and application on conquering yourself to become an even better leader. 

by Cindy Dove