Here's how you can use self-awareness to effectively respond to failure as a leader.

As a leader one should not remain in denial in case of failure. While it takes courage to accept or embrace failures, it demonstrates the character of openness and integrity of a leader in such situation. It also helps the leader to think through what to do in future.

1. Reflect on the Experience 2. Acknowledge Emotions 3. Learn from Mistakes 4. Communicate Openly 5. Maintain Perspective 6. Develop Resilience 7. Encourage a Growth Mindset

Human beings are hard-wired to focus on the negative. It’s a survival mechanism- with the fundamental question always being “what risk is there to me here?” Things will not always go to plan. That’s a universal fact of life. Being able to recognise and acknowledge our failings without allowing them to prevent us from striving for better in the future is the ultimate aim, where we can look back and say “That could have gone better, but I’m not going to stop trying.” We need to separate ourselves from shame and blame, and recognising that GOOD feedback is an opportunity for personal growth. Feedback should relate to our behaviour (“I DID a bad thing/poor job” and not who we are as a person (“I AM a bad person”) we can begin to progress.

Embracing failure is crucial. As Brené Brown's research shows, vulnerability in leadership builds trust and deeper connections. By being open about mistakes, leaders foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Considering the feelings of others as you communicate and make decisions is another way to act self-aware as a leader. Paying attention to the emotional needs of those you lead can help guide your decisions and relationships as a self-aware leader. Be mindful of others' body language while you speak with them to gain insight into their emotions.

Using self-awareness to effectively respond to failure as a leader starts with acknowledging and understanding your emotions. Here are a few tips: - Take time to reflect on your feelings—whether it’s disappointment, frustration, or anxiety—and identify their sources. This awareness helps you process your emotions constructively rather than reacting impulsively. - Communicate openly with your team about the failure, demonstrating vulnerability and a willingness to learn. By modeling emotional intelligence and a growth mindset, you create a safe space for your team to also share their feelings and collectively find solutions. This approach not only fosters resilience but also strengthens trust and collaboration within your team.

It’s important to be able to understand your emotions, and also how to manage them. Recognise how your emotions effect your decision making and how you interact with others

While it can be challenging separate your personal bias as you assess yourself, asking others to give input is one way to gain a broader picture of who you are and how you relate to others. Self-aware leaders may ask friends, family and coworkers they trust to give insight about specific traits as they seek to better themselves.

One way you can assess how your actions affect others in the workplace is by observing or reflecting on how they react to you. Identify what factors cause them to respond in a certain way. This helps you understand your impact on others.

Considering the feelings of others as you communicate and make decisions is another way to act self-aware as a leader. Paying attention to the emotional needs of those you lead can help guide your decisions and relationships as a self-aware leader. Be mindful of others' body language while you speak with them to gain insight into their emotions.

Be mindful of your circumstances so you know when to use a certain trait in a given situation. Leverage your strengths to achieve positive results. Acting in self-awareness means evaluating whether you're making the right choices to meet your goals and advance the goals of others. You can also aim to build your emotional intelligence. Use online tools and books to learn how to be considerate of the emotions of your teammates. Learn how to maximize your introspection to better understand yourself and those around you.

Continuous learning - stay open to new ideas and perspectives! Ensure you are taking part in new learning and development courses on skills and professional development

Practice mindfulness and meditation Make out time to reflect. Journal Ask the people you love questions. Example - I started a business that failed many years ago and I had followers who didn't know I was failing but were looking up to me. I never gave up, I was mindful and I meditate on the possible way forward. Until I won I never shared the failures but success only so they don't get discouraged.