I had such a great conversation with Liam Maguire in episode #19 of The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast. Here are my Top Takeaways…..
Risk on the battlefield comes from everywhere which is a good analogy for awareness of the self. Self-awareness is a 360 degree, multi-dimensional awareness of yourself. There are both subjective and objective perspective to consider.
Other people’s views are a tonic for the ego. Objective feedback can be difficult to hear, but necessary if we really want to develop your self aware leadership skills.
Leadership is the art, skills and behaviours of motivating others. You need to be inspiring and motivational to create followers.
Is ignorance really bliss? Jim Rohn says that actually, it’s poverty, devastation and tragedy. Unless you have candid feedback and know the good and the bad, you can’t begin to make choices about how you want to change, develop and grow. If you don’t care what others think, you’re missing so many opportunities!
Leaders should not only be found at all levels, they should be cultivated at all levels. Great leaders create other leaders!
If an organisation is doing well, it’s probably down to leadership. If an organisations isn’t doing very well, it’s probably down to…..you’ve guess it, leadership!
The best leaders push authority and information down through the organisation to allow others to make decisions. Organisations that retain decision making at the top are missing opportunities to innovate and make the best decisions for the customer, the patient and the service user. Mission command, the military approach to decision making, empowers people at all levels to make the right decision, in the right place at the right time.
Do you sugar coat the feedback you give your senior colleagues? Are you worried about reprisal? Organisational leaders need to develop psychological safety and open the door to candour. Passive openness to feedback will not develop self-aware leadership like actively seeking it out will. As a leader, be genuine in your quest for feedback!
To be consistently effective as a leader across multiple domains and multiple timeframes, self awareness is an essential skill.
The person I was 10 years ago, is not the person I am today. As we change we should keep in mind the quote by Robert Breault, “Know thyself, or at least keep renewing the acquaintance” I just love that quote!!