How is your self-awareness?
The Institute for Health and Human Potential defines emotional intelligence, as the ability to recognize, understand and manage our own emotions, and recognize, understand and influence the emotions of others.
That’s a lot to digest. In simple terms: we need to be aware of the emotions that drive our behavior and impact people (positively and negatively), and learn how to manage those emotions, especially under pressure.
The first step toward becoming an emotionally intelligent leader is understanding the components:
Self-awareness
Self-management
Motivation
Empathy
Social skill
For this week’s topic, I want to start with self-awareness. I have found for many people (myself at the top of the list) we tend to be more comfortable pointing out ways others can change and improve their actions and behaviors, and it is harder to think, plan and act in ways that will transform our own reinvention. As leaders, we need to be reminded to look inward at what we need to improve in ourselves. Remember THE FIRST PERSON YOU LEAD IS YOU.
A good starting place might be to conduct a simple SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats). List the things you do well, things you don’t do well, areas in your life that are opportunities for improvement, and the biggest threats to your happiness, wellness and success.
Please don’t be too hard on yourself or dwell too much on weaknesses (you can improve on these, or perhaps delegate to others). By knowing what you do well, and identifying opportunities for growth and improvement, you are well on your way to becoming more self-aware.
All the best to you on your journey for a better you.
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