Last Updated on May 23, 2023 by Editors Desk
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Take personality tests to learn more about yourself.
While tests like the Myers-Briggs and SHL Personality Test aren’t flawless, they can help you reflect on your attitude, behaviors, and qualities, as well as what motivates your decisions, and so become more self-aware.
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Use the services of an expert.
A good coach can be quite beneficial in terms of providing you with feedback that will help you improve your self-awareness. However, make sure to check out their credentials and certificates to ensure that they can work with you in the manner that you desire. A skilled coach can also assist you in deciphering comments from others and using it to aid in transformation.
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Make a mental note of yourself.
When making a major decision, it can be beneficial to write down what you expect to happen: what do you believe will happen? Return to your notes at a later period and compare the actual outcome to what you expected to happen. Don’t simply ponder about ‘what’ happened; think about ‘why’ it happened as well. ‘Feedback analysis,’ as management consultant Peter Drucker put it, is “the only way to identify your talents.”
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Someone else should be consulted.
Identify people you know and feel comfortable asking for comments on your personality, habits, needs, and values. It may be beneficial to ask individuals to offer you feedback anonymously so that they are more likely to be honest and provide you with a valid, insightful, and helpful response.
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Pose thoughtful inquiries.
Asking effective questions is a skill that you and your company can benefit from. When it comes to receiving unfavorable feedback about your own performance, though, it might be more difficult to remain objective. You demonstrate self-awareness and a willingness to learn when you show that you are equally open to all forms of comments. By asking questions, you are modeling a solid, honest approach to issue solving and decision making that will benefit everyone in the organization. It also encourages people to accept that they don’t know everything and that learning is a positive thing.
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Pay attention to what others have to say without defending yourself.
It’s critical to listen to feedback without explaining yourself or your behavior once you’ve asked for it. People will cease providing you feedback if you do not do so. And if you’re focused on defending yourself, you’re likely to overlook what the other person is trying to say. You’re more likely to hear what you need to hear and learn from feedback if you listen and accept it without defending yourself. You’ll also gain credibility with the person and establish a trust relationship with them, which will encourage them to continue providing you with useful input in the future.
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Be flexible and adaptable.
If you’re not actively interested in improving yourself and your leadership skills, you won’t be able to become self-aware. It takes consistent work and focus, and you won’t get there until you check in and refocus your efforts on a regular basis. Simply doing so demonstrates self-awareness and is an important step toward developing it. However, wanting to improve is only half of the battle: you must also be willing to adapt. We are inherently averse to change because it makes us feel uneasy. However, sustainable change occurs only when we have the desire to change a habit or behavior, as well as the self-awareness to hold ourselves accountable for it.
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Determine the personal habits that are holding you back.
We all have habits that prevent us from being mindful and aware of our surroundings. They’re like background activities in your brain that sap your energy or divert your attention away from what you should be doing. If you want to develop as a leader, you’ll need to reprogram your brain for beneficial habits, which you may do by increasing your self-awareness. Make a list of your undesirable habits. It’s not even necessary to update them at first. Simply train yourself to notice them, and then you can begin to shift your focus.
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Embrace your instincts.
Successful leaders have faith in their intuition and are willing to take the risks that come with them. Our instincts are driven by the survival of the fittest and our will to achieve; they guide us in deciding what to do next and how to prioritize our tasks. Learn to trust and act on your instincts.
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Be watchful of other people as well.
Knowing your talents and shortcomings will assist you in becoming a more effective leader. However, being a good observer of others’ talents and faults is also beneficial. Instead of being made up of people with the same personality types, effective teams are made up of people who understand and compliment each other. If you’re open-minded and objective, bringing in a diverse group of people will help you expand your self-awareness and appreciate the diversity inherent in success patterns. Having the correct mix of people on your team and a positive learning environment can let you see clearly what you and others excel at.
Also Checkout: 7 Atomic Habits of an Emotionally Intelligent Human
