Do You Know You?
The older I get, the more I realize how important self-awareness is. With self-awareness, leaders are conscious of their choices and take responsibility for them. Without it, anything goes. That’s when companies lose focus or get way off track. Authenticity and vulnerability take a back seat to arrogance and greed.
To really know yourself is a lifelong endeavor and not always pleasant. You may not like part of who or what you are. That’s natural. Once you acknowledge your imperfections, you can begin to change for the better, and with your thoughts, words, and actions all in alignment with you.
- How well do you know yourself?
- How well would others say you know yourself? (Ask!)
- Does your company value and encourage self-awareness?
- Do you knowingly connect your choices and your values?
Six Amare Ways for Increasing Self-Awareness
1. Tune in. First get quiet with breathing exercises. Then simply pay attention to how you react to things, especially what triggers you and what pacifies you. No judgement please.
2. Assess values. List your core values. With compassion, gauge how well you live by them in your work and life. Consider making this alignment assessment a daily practice.
3. Notice discrepancies. Monitor your thoughts, emotions, and reactions on a regular basis, with the intent of self-improvement (and without becoming narcissistic!).
4. Get feedback. Ask trusted colleagues about when you seem most self-aware and when you don’t. Look for patterns and any relationship to company values and culture.
5. Review big decisions. Get with your leadership team and explore how self-aware you all were and if you voiced what was true for you. Be sure there is psychological safety for being honest.
6. Dive deeper. Read chapter seven in The Amare Wave about self-awareness and alignment, and do the “Mirror” exercises there. And check out the myriad of resources online on self-awareness.
Inviting Your Feedback
I’ve been writing Amare Wave Wednesday for almost a year. I’d love to know what serves you, what you like, and how I can improve it to best support you and grow the wave. Please reach me here.
Today’s Amare Wave Wednesday Quote
“There are three things extremely hard—steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self.”
―Benjamin Franklin
Thanks everyone for tuning in to Amare Wave Wednesday! Do YOUR one amare thing today to improve your business and grow the wave!
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