A Self-Aware Leader is Not a Self-Obsessed Leader
Daniel Goleman
Director of Daniel Goleman Emotional Intelligence Online Courses and Senior Consultant at Goleman Consulting Group
I have become very interested in self-awareness as a leader’s capacity to take stock, to reflect, to look at things defining a bigger perspective. I spoke with Multiple Intelligences author, Howard Gardner, for my Leadership: A Master Class series about understanding what self-awareness is – and isn’t – for effective leadership.
“Understanding and knowing yourself is a significant aspect of leadership. But I would argue that you’re not able to know yourself with any totality. I also don’t think it’s a valuable feature of a good leader to be obsessive about self, about motivation, and so on.
Self-knowledge needs to be with reference to your role as a leader in the company, which can be pretty expansive. If you have a temper, if you make people feel bad, those are things you need to know.
In other words, some self-reflection or self-knowledge matters, but it should be the right kind. You should have the right focus, which has to do with ‘how am I doing in this role?’ Or ‘What do I need for this role?’
One of the paradoxes is that the higher a leader rises in the ranks, the less performance feedback she receives. People are afraid to tell her, particularly when she’s making mistakes. A leader can think they’re doing fine, not realizing that actually they’re not.
Of course, the wise leader goes out of his or her way to consult with people who will offer honest feedback. That proves they have the right kind of self-knowledge.”
How do you foster "the right type" of self-awareness at work? Share your thought in the comments field.
Learn more about Today's Leadership Imperative with Howard Gardner in my Leadership: A Master Class video series.
Further reading:
Understanding the science of moods at work
Systems blindness: the illusion of understanding
A leader's primary task: guide attention
Other resources:
What Makes a Leader: Why Emotional Intelligence Matters
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Join the conversation about effective leadership traits on LinkedIn.
Photo Credit: Niels Hariot / shutterstock
Civil Engineering Professional | Geotechnical Engineering And Management
9 年Dear sir, More often the judgment based on others feedback is based on the filter that they have, I suppose. More than feedback from others , it is reflection which is more effective in my experience... Sincerely, Srinivas
Consultant; Author; Freelance Journalist and Commentator on Current Political Affairs.
9 年Daniel Goleman is right in cautioning already leaders and or emerging leaders. Self-Awareness is not Self-Obsession. Self-awareness is a must but the process of self-awareness must not lead to self-obsession, constant doubts, hyper-analysis, etc .
Supervisor at Computershare
9 年Please also read "Don't Bring it to work" by Sylvia Lafair for what this Self awareness leadership is about. Great read, as well as the Fifth Discipline, to find the authentic leader inside those in these roles.
Psychotherapist-Consultant-Educator
9 年Great article. Leadership itself is a gift that should not be taken for granted. The most effective leaders are not only receptive to feedback, they also take action to become better.
President, Morgan Community College
9 年Keep recognition focused on others around you, not yourself, and be mindful of the role others play in your own life and work.