Monthly Archives: November 2025

As we’ve learned, self-awareness is a core leadership competency and a critical part of developing emotional intelligence. Yet many leaders believe they’re more self-aware than they truly are. I’ll admit, I’ve been humbled over the years by my own blind spots. What has become clear to me is the strong connection between self-awareness and leadership effectiveness. The most impactful leaders remain hungry to learn, honest about their growth areas, and committed to leading by example. Becoming more self-aware is not only worthwhile, but it also benefits everyone we lead. From time to time, I ask myself a simple but revealing question: “What is it like to be on the other side of me?” I encourage you to do the same. A brief self-check [...]

As we near the end of the year, many of us reflect on the last 12 months. We ask ourselves, “What did I do well?” “What do I need to change in the coming year?” “How can I grow?” But do we ever stop and ask, “Am I meeting my people’s expectations?” Maybe it’s time we do. In my experience, the following is a good list of expectations your people have for you, their leader: To communicate openly, honestly, and frequently To be predictable and consistent To have a plan for their growth To exhibit self-confidence balanced with humility To encourage them To challenge them To let them know how they are doing To always recognize their accomplishments To be decisive and fair To [...]