How Self-Awareness Affects Team Performance

Harsh leadership truth: Many leaders have a critical blind spot. Self-awareness. They're often shocked when 360-degree feedback reveals their leadership style is demotivating or demoralizing. The root cause is usually one of two things: #1 They've never sought out candid feedback about the impact of their leadership #2 They lack the tools to assess their own strengths and weaknesses objectively This blind spot can have disastrous consequences: • Employee engagement plummets as team morale erodes • High-potential talent leaves to find a better leader elsewhere • The leader's career trajectory stalls as their reputation suffers The good news is self-awareness can be developed with intentional effort. Here are 3 strategies I use to help leaders close this gap: #1 Institutionalize Feedback Implement regular 360-degree reviews to gather input from direct reports, peers and managers. Supplement with frequent informal check-ins. The key is to position feedback as a gift – not a threat. #2 Leverage Assessments Use scientifically validated tools like StrengthsFinder or DISC to build self-understanding. Debriefing the results with a certified coach provides powerful "aha" moments and actionable insights. #3 Examine Impact vs. Intent Have leaders map out pivotal team interactions and objectively compare their intended impact with the actual impact on others. The gaps are often revelatory and become focus areas for adjustment. As self-awareness grows, I've seen leaders transform in powerful ways: • They mend strained relationships and build deep trust and loyalty • They start showing up in a way that inspires and engages their teams • They make better decisions by accounting for their natural tendencies and biases Helping a leader close their self-awareness gap is some of my most gratifying and high-impact work. The ripple effects on their team, organization and career are immense. If you're in a leadership role, don't let a lack of self-awareness hold you back. Proactively seek to understand your strengths, blind spots and impact. It takes humility and courage, but the payoff is well worth it - for you and everyone you lead. Join the 12,000+ leaders who get our weekly email newsletter.  https://lnkd.in/en9vxeNk

What's Happening Behind the Scenes of Your Leadership? Leaders often wonder why their team doesn't share essential updates or waits until the last minute, leading to frustration. It's easy to judge their actions without understanding the context. We tend to assess ourselves based on our intentions and judge our team based on their seemingly disorganized actions or inaction. If you are tired of leading in the dark, it might be time to switch on the light of self-awareness! Self-awareness is not just about your actions but also about your "behind-the-scenes" self — your identity, beliefs, mindsets and emotions. These internal factors influence how you lead and how your team perceives and performs. When coaching leaders in similar situations, I often ask them to consider why they think their team behaved in a certain way, not to place blame but to evaluate the leader's self-awareness and willingness to see all perspectives. Self-awareness helps you recognize and manage your response rather than reacting impulsively. Expanding your self-awareness requires introspection and acknowledging your role in the team dynamics. To deepen your self-awareness: Pause when you feel defensive or reactive. Embrace curiosity. Ask yourself: 1. Am I approaching this situation defensively or with open curiosity to understand? 2. How are my current reactions serving the team's well-being and success? 3. What specific behavior can I consciously practice now to achieve a positive outcome? Initially, this practice may feel awkward, but the discomfort is temporary. Consistency will bring you clarity, build trust, and help you lead with greater ease. Image: @VisuallyNeeded (via Instagram) ♻ Repost to help your network pause and lead with more ease. #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #TeamDynamics 

Good leaders do bad things when they are not self-aware. No good leader wakes up in the morning and says "I can't wait to get to the office and crush the spirit of one of the members of my team!" Yet it happens every single day. WHY? Because good leaders who aren't self-aware don't realize the impact that their words can have on others. When we, as leaders, treat others the way we like to be treated, we forget an important component; not everyone is like us. So what works for us may not work for them. That's WHY sometimes the first time we hear that we've been crushing someones dreams and aspirations is when we find out they are leaving to go work for our competitor. They just want to go somewhere where they can feel seen, heard, and understood. And we're left making a big W , wondering what happened. 🤷♂️ In "Better Decisions Faster" Paul Epstein talks about the importance of Awareness. "Awareness of self, awareness of others, awareness of situation - all linked to the highest EQ in the world, and all equally vital for making better decisions faster." Paul says, "There's a reason heightened awareness is the hub of Emotional Intelligence (EQ)." As a leader, how do you rate your self-awareness? As a team member, how do you rate your leaders' self-awareness? How self-aware are others on your team? If you're a leader and you want to be at the top of your game when it comes to awareness - we should talk. Let's lead different in 2024! #Leadership #SelfAwareness #EQ #BetterDecisionsFaster

The most impactful leaders in my life have the following 3 layers of self-awareness: 1) awareness of their own skills/limitations. 2) awareness of what rooms need them/don’t need them. 3) awareness of how to round out the skills/gaps in the room (usually from voices other than their own). Either way, the ability to identify and amplify needed voices (internal, external, or their own) reveals much about a leader.

Cultivating Self-Awareness: A Leadership Essential Having worked in leadership development for nearly 40 years, I firmly believe that self-awareness is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Yet according to Gitnux, “Self-awareness is an important skill to have to be successful and happy. Unfortunately, statistics show that only 10-15% of people are truly self-aware, while 85% believe they are more aware than they actually are. Additionally, roughly 50-70% of people have a significant blind spot which can negatively impact their relationships and leadership skills.” Korn Ferry says nearly 80% of leaders have blind spot. That’s not particularly surprising since most of us have blind spots, regardless of our roles. But a blind spot in a leader has a greater ripple affect, often impacting the people they lead. The Importance of Self-Awareness: Self-awareness is the ability to introspect and recognize our own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It empowers leaders to identify their strengths, weaknesses, values, and blind spots. By being conscious of our own impact on others, we can build strong relationships, foster a positive work environment, and make mindful choices that align with our vision and goals. Developing Self-Awareness: Here are some of the most important tools for developing self-awareness. Reflection and Meditation: Carve out dedicated time for introspection and self-reflection. Engage in mindfulness practices or meditation to quiet the mind and gain deeper insights into your thoughts, emotions, and motivations. Feedback: Actively seek feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, and team members. Encourage honest and constructive feedback to gain a comprehensive view of how your actions impact others. Journaling: Maintain a journal to capture your thoughts, experiences, and lessons learned. This practice can help you identify patterns, recognize triggers, and track your personal growth as a leader. Assessments and Tools: Utilize various self-assessment tools, such as personality assessments or 360-degree feedback, to gain objective insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and leadership style. Continuous Learning: Engage in professional development activities, attend workshops, or pursue executive coaching. These avenues can provide fresh perspectives, challenge your assumptions, and enhance your self-awareness journey. Consclusion: Self-awareness is an invaluable trait that enables leaders to make informed decisions, build strong relationships, and inspire their teams. Through introspection, seeking feedback, journaling, and continuous learning, leaders can cultivate self-awareness and create a positive impact on themselves, their teams, and their organizations. Assess your own self-awareness regularly. #selfawareness #leadershipskills #leadershipspeaker #marksanborn