What are the best ways to develop self-awareness as a business reporting leader?

1 Assess yourself regularly

One of the simplest ways to develop self-awareness is to assess yourself regularly on various aspects of your performance, such as your goals, achievements, challenges, feedback, and areas of improvement. You can use tools like SWOT analysis, 360-degree feedback, or personal development plans to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and set realistic and measurable objectives for yourself. By assessing yourself regularly, you can track your progress, celebrate your successes, and learn from your mistakes.

2 Seek feedback from others

Another way to develop self-awareness is to seek feedback from others, especially those who work closely with you or have a different perspective from you. Feedback can help you gain insights into how others perceive you, what they value about you, and what they expect from you. You can ask for feedback from your colleagues, managers, clients, or mentors, and use it to improve your skills, behavior, and relationships. However, you should also be open-minded, respectful, and constructive when receiving feedback, and avoid being defensive or dismissive.

3 Reflect on your experiences

A third way to develop self-awareness is to reflect on your experiences, both positive and negative, and analyze what they taught you about yourself and your environment. You can use techniques like journaling, meditation, or coaching to help you reflect on your actions, reactions, emotions, and thoughts, and how they affected your outcomes and impacts. By reflecting on your experiences, you can identify patterns, triggers, and gaps in your knowledge, and develop strategies to cope with challenges, overcome obstacles, and leverage opportunities.

4 Learn from others

A fourth way to develop self-awareness is to learn from others, especially those who have different backgrounds, skills, or viewpoints from you. You can learn from others by observing their behavior, listening to their stories, asking them questions, or collaborating with them on projects. By learning from others, you can broaden your horizons, appreciate diversity, and discover new ways of thinking, doing, or solving problems.

5 Challenge yourself

A fifth way to develop self-awareness is to challenge yourself, both personally and professionally, and step out of your comfort zone. You can challenge yourself by taking on new roles, responsibilities, or tasks, learning new skills, or exploring new interests. By challenging yourself, you can test your limits, grow your confidence, and adapt to change.

6 Practice mindfulness

A sixth way to develop self-awareness is to practice mindfulness, which is the state of being fully present and aware of your surroundings, sensations, feelings, and thoughts. You can practice mindfulness by doing activities like yoga, breathing exercises, or guided meditation, or by simply paying attention to what is happening in the moment. By practicing mindfulness, you can reduce stress, enhance focus, and regulate emotions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?