Self awareness in leadership development
When was the last time you took a look in the mirror? I have one on my desk in the office. It was sent to me by a good friend and mentor many years ago with a message. It read” Before you blame the rest of the planet, take a look in the mirror. The answer will be staring you in the face” I have used it countless times and asked myself “What am I doing that is not helping? What am I doing that needs to change? What am I doing that needs to stop? Self awareness is very useful, self awareness in leadership development is mission critical.
I have recently enrolled myself on one of our own development programmes entitled Effective Personal Productivity. I have joined a small group of other business leaders, all of whom are involved in leadership development, to explore ways of becoming more productive and more effective. The very first exercise was a self evaluation on all things productivity.
Wow….what an eye opener!
What a way to start, a real kick up the ass. When we talk self awareness in leadership development this truly hit the spot. 33 probing questions about how I currently manage and control my priorities, plan my days, handle interruptions and distractions and focus on things that get results. Not only did it challenge my logical thinking, it also questioned my attitude to certain things. Of the 33 questions asked I identified 23 areas for improvement. If that does not make you show some humility nothing will.
Identifying areas for improvement is just the start
Now please don’t misunderstand me, everything is relative. My personal expectations will differ from others, so what I identified as an area needing attention others might look upon as more that acceptable. However, in helping uncover some blind spots, identify some things I had become complacent with and point out some things I had simply stopped doing, the assignment was bang on the money. I am also fully aware that simply making a list of stuff is just the first step. Now I have to take some action. I will keep you posted on my progress.
Take a look in the mirror
Self awareness in leadership development is a must. So often leadership development will be externally facing, by which I mean the content is focused on how to help inspire, motivate (if that is possible) others and how to empower the team members to have, become and achieve more. All important factors I agree. However first and foremost leadership development should help leaders become much more aware of self.
Every time I have to face up to a challenge the first place I look for a solution is in the mirror that is on my desk. Sometimes I like what I see and other times I don’t. By looking within myself sometimes I come up with the answers and other time I don’t and I seek help from external sources. Either way looking in the mirror keeps me honest and humble. It always prevents me from saying “It’s not me, it’s them!” If I had a pound for every time I have heard a business leader say that when I meet them for the first time, well enough said.
In my next post I will update you on the progress made and what actions I have taken to address some of the areas identified. How many of the 23? To learn more about what leadership development is go to The Learning Library
Contact Mark Tonks on 07957 805987 or email mark@orangeandblue.uk
Self awareness in leadership development
When was the last time you took a look in the mirror? I have one on my desk in the office. It was sent to me by a good friend and mentor many years ago with a message. It read” Before you blame the rest of the planet, take a look in the mirror. The answer will be staring you in the face” I have used it countless times and asked myself “What am I doing that is not helping? What am I doing that needs to change? What am I doing that needs to stop? Self awareness is very useful, self awareness in leadership development is mission critical.
I have recently enrolled myself on one of our own development programmes entitled Effective Personal Productivity. I have joined a small group of other business leaders, all of whom are involved in leadership development, to explore ways of becoming more productive and more effective. The very first exercise was a self evaluation on all things productivity.
Wow….what an eye opener!
What a way to start, a real kick up the ass. When we talk self awareness in leadership development this truly hit the spot. 33 probing questions about how I currently manage and control my priorities, plan my days, handle interruptions and distractions and focus on things that get results. Not only did it challenge my logical thinking, it also questioned my attitude to certain things. Of the 33 questions asked I identified 23 areas for improvement. If that does not make you show some humility nothing will.
Identifying areas for improvement is just the start
Now please don’t misunderstand me, everything is relative. My personal expectations will differ from others, so what I identified as an area needing attention others might look upon as more that acceptable. However, in helping uncover some blind spots, identify some things I had become complacent with and point out some things I had simply stopped doing, the assignment was bang on the money. I am also fully aware that simply making a list of stuff is just the first step. Now I have to take some action. I will keep you posted on my progress.
Take a look in the mirror
Self awareness in leadership development is a must. So often leadership development will be externally facing, by which I mean the content is focused on how to help inspire, motivate (if that is possible) others and how to empower the team members to have, become and achieve more. All important factors I agree. However first and foremost leadership development should help leaders become much more aware of self.
Every time I have to face up to a challenge the first place I look for a solution is in the mirror that is on my desk. Sometimes I like what I see and other times I don’t. By looking within myself sometimes I come up with the answers and other time I don’t and I seek help from external sources. Either way looking in the mirror keeps me honest and humble. It always prevents me from saying “It’s not me, it’s them!” If I had a pound for every time I have heard a business leader say that when I meet them for the first time, well enough said.
In my next post I will update you on the progress made and what actions I have taken to address some of the areas identified. How many of the 23? To learn more about what leadership development is go to The Learning Library
Contact Mark Tonks on 07957 805987 or email mark@orangeandblue.uk