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Welcome

In last weeks post I covered my thoughts on the what are the four key pillars of leadership for New Leaders to be thinking about. Over the coming weeks I will be digging deeper into each of these topics.

Today we will be looking at, what I think, is the foundational part of leadership - knowing yourself. From when I first started leading then coaching other new leaders the one thing that always stood out to me was that more times than not I was trying to be someone else and not me.

I had read books on leadership and seen good and bad leaders operate and started doing what they did. I didn’t spend any time stopping and thinking about me and who I was as well as what leader I wanted to be.

The problem with not stopping and moving from space, system or framework is that you begin to lose a part of you in the process. You stop being you and authenticity stops. When this happens people in your team will notice this. When they notice this engagement will drop and the overall parts of the building a great team becomes harder.

Imagine you're on a plane, and the flight attendants are going through the safety instructions. When they get to the part about the oxygen masks, they always remind you to "put your mask on first before helping others." It's a bit like leadership, really. You need to take the time to understand yourself and how you work so you can effectively support your team.

Let’s jump in a look at how knowing yourself and have a routine of checking in is really important to your leadership growth.

Why Knowing Yourself Matters

Leadership starts from within. The more you understand about yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, values, and behaviours—the more effectively you can lead your team.

Without self-awareness, even the best intentions can go awry. Misaligned decisions, unintentional biases, and reactive behaviour can erode trust and create unnecessary challenges. On the other hand, when you take the time to understand yourself, you lay the foundation for authentic, impactful leadership.

The Core Elements of Self-Awareness

1. Understanding Your Strengths: What do you naturally excel at? Recognising your strengths allows you to leverage them for maximum impact.

2. Identifying Your Blind Spots: None of us are perfect, and every leader has areas where they can improve. Knowing your blind spots helps you anticipate and address potential challenges before they escalate.

3. Knowing Your Triggers: Stressful situations or difficult conversations can lead to reactive behaviours. Identifying your emotional triggers enables you to pause, reflect, and respond with intention.

Clarifying Your Values

• What principles guide your decisions? When you align your leadership with your core values, you lead with authenticity and integrity.

How to Start Building Self-Awareness

1. Reflect Regularly:

Set aside 15–30 minutes each week to think about your leadership experiences. What went well? What could have gone better?

2. Seek Feedback:

Ask your team, peers, or mentors for honest insights. A simple question like, “What’s one thing I could improve as a leader?” can provide valuable perspective.

3. Track Your Emotional Triggers:

When you feel stressed or reactive, take a moment to note what caused it. Over time, patterns will emerge, helping you anticipate and manage challenging situations.

4. Leverage Tools:

Use personality assessments, journaling, or leadership style quizzes to gain deeper insights into your strengths and growth areas.

Reflection Questions for the Week

Take time to consider:

1. What are three strengths I consistently bring to the table as a leader?

2. What feedback have I received in the past that I’ve acted on—or need to revisit?

3. What values guide my decision-making, and how do they show up in my leadership?

Book Recommendation:

Insight: The Surprising Truth About How Others See Us, How We See Ourselves, and Why It Matters by Tasha Eurich

Summary:

In Insight, organisational psychologist Tasha Eurich delves into the science of self-awareness and why it’s critical for success in leadership and life. The book combines research, relatable stories, and practical exercises to help you understand yourself better and see how others perceive you.

Key Takeaways:

1. Internal vs External Self-Awareness: Recognising the difference between how you see yourself and how others see you is critical for balanced self-awareness.

2. The Power of Feedback: Seeking honest feedback from others can illuminate blind spots and accelerate growth.

3. Daily Habits for Self-Reflection: Simple practices like journaling or mindful questioning can improve your ability to adapt and lead with clarity.

Why It’s Worth the Effort

Self-awareness isn’t just about personal growth—it’s the foundation for stronger relationships, better decision-making, and a more cohesive team. When you understand yourself, you’re better equipped to understand and support the people you lead.

Start small. Reflect, seek feedback, and commit to continuous growth. Leadership is a journey, and it begins with knowing yourself.

And next we’ll dive into the second pillar of leadership—communication. For me this is the most important aspect and I will spend a couple of weeks walking through:

1. Communication as a leader

2. Different communication types

3. How to adapt communication

If you enjoyed this content you may well like checking out more information about me and how I help New and Aspiring Leaders here.