How can you develop self-awareness in the workplace?

1 Ask for feedback

One of the best ways to learn more about yourself is to ask for feedback from others. Feedback can help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, as well as how you are perceived by your colleagues, managers, and clients. You can ask for feedback in formal settings, such as performance reviews, or in informal settings, such as after a meeting or a project. When asking for feedback, be specific, open-minded, and respectful. Listen carefully and ask clarifying questions if needed. Thank the person for their input and reflect on how you can use it to improve.

2 Keep a journal

Another way to develop self-awareness is to keep a journal of your thoughts, feelings, and actions at work. Writing down your experiences can help you process your emotions, analyze your behaviors, and gain insights into your motivations, values, and goals. You can use a journal to record your achievements, challenges, feedback, and learning opportunities. You can also use it to track your mood, energy, and stress levels, and how they affect your performance and well-being. Review your journal regularly and look for patterns, themes, and areas of improvement.

3 Take assessments

A third way to develop self-awareness is to take assessments that measure your personality, preferences, and skills. Assessments can help you discover your strengths, weaknesses, blind spots, and potential. They can also help you understand how you relate to others, how you cope with stress, and how you learn and solve problems. There are many types of assessments available, such as Myers-Briggs, DISC, StrengthsFinder, and Emotional Intelligence. You can take assessments online, through your employer, or with a coach or mentor. After taking an assessment, review the results and compare them with your own self-perception and feedback from others.